Boca Raton Domestic Violence Lawyer
If you have been charged with domestic violence, we at Haber | Blank LLP understand the pressure, distress, and gut-wrenching fear that you are certainly facing. Any domestic violence offense is a serious matter that can have a permanent impact on your life, which is why all domestic violence charges must be handled by a Boca Raton domestic violence defense lawyer. It is never a wise decision to take a domestic violence charge lightly or assume that it will all work out on its own because you are innocent of the accusations. Make no mistake. During these times, you need an lawyer on your side.
Definition of Domestic Violence in Florida
Domestic violence includes physical violence, sexual violence, and emotional abuse. These forms of violence and abuse are used to control, intimidate, or terrorize the victim. Under Florida statute 741.28, domestic violence occurs when any of following offenses are committed by one family or household member against another family or household member:
- Assault
- Aggravated assault
- Battery
- Aggravated battery
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Stalking
- Aggravated stalking
- Kidnapping
- False imprisonment
- Any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death
Who is Considered a Household or Family Member?
Florida’s domestic violence statute is designed to protect certain “household” or “family members.” These individuals include the following:
- Spouses and former spouses
- Intimate partners and former intimate partners
- People related by blood or marriage
- People who are living together as a family, or who have lived together in the past as a family
- Parents of a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married in the past
The Penalties You are Likely Facing
Domestic violence is a serious and pervasive crime. In fact, it is the number one criminal offense in the United States, and prosecutors are always on the lookout to make an example out of alleged perpetrators.. There are often multiple layers of penalties faced by a person convicted of domestic violence. First, domestic violence offenses can result in a mandatory minimum of:
- 10 days in jail for a first offense
- 15 days in jail for a second offense
- 20 days in jail for a third or subsequent offense
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The offender may also be punished with fines, community service, the loss of right to own a firearm, loss of child custodial rights or visitation privileges, and a mandatory batterer’s intervention program. Furthermore, the alleged victim may also press additional charges, such as assault, battery, sexual assault, and battery with a deadly weapon. These offenses are felonies, and, if convicted, you would potentially face years in state prison.
Call a Boca Raton Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Today
Charges of domestic violence are often based on hearsay. However, what little evidence there is, is often paramount to one or the other side’s success. The Boca Raton domestic violence defense lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP will gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and build the strongest possible case to keep you out of jail and preserve your good name in your community. Contact us today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a free consultation.
