Being convicted of domestic violence can have devastating repercussions. Not only can it result in incarceration, but it can also generate restraining orders and a lifelong criminal record. The most serious domestic violence charges are categorized as third-degree felonies, which may affect your ability to find and retain employment and housing, and lose civil liberties such as the right to vote or possess a firearm. At the Domestic Battery Clinic, we take the time to get to know the details of your case intimately so we can strategize and use our extensive experience to provide you with the best defense possible.
Domestic Violence in Florida
Domestic Violence is statutorily defined as a “criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.” This can result from:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Battery
- Aggravated Battery
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Battery
- Stalking / Cyberstalking
- Aggravated Stalking
- Kidnapping
- False Imprisonment
One important distinction to note in this statute is the way it defines “family or household member.” The legal definition includes persons that we may not always consider to be family or a household member. Following are all the persons the statute states are included:
- Spouses
- Former spouses
- Parents and Children
- Persons related by blood or marriage
- Persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past year
- Persons who are parents of a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married
Common Domestic Violence Cases
Our professional counsel encompasses a wide variety of domestic violence matters including the following:
- Domestic Battery: Among other penalties, persons convicted of domestic battery can be sentenced to one year in prison and a $1,000.00 fine.
- Restraining Order/Injunction: Prohibits contact, communication, and potentially access to your own home, regardless of who is the owner. The alleged victim has a very powerful tool, an injunction, which can create additional criminal charges. If you are faced with an injunction, our attorneys will act immediately to protect you.
- Dating Violence: This occurs when there is at least one violent act between parties considered to be in a relationship that is romantic in nature.
- Cyber Stalking: Cyberstalking is defined as the use of the internet, telephone, texting or other forms of electronic communication to harass and/or threaten others. As the use of technology continues to grow, so do the claims of cyberstalking. It is quickly becoming one of the most frequently seen domestic violence charges.
A domestic violence conviction will impact you for the rest of your life. Don’t go down without a fight and don’t fight alone. At the Domestic Battery Clinic, we are zealous advocates that believe in providing our clients with the best defense possible.
