Domestic violence charges are one of the more sensitive cases to defend yourself against. Due to the potential hardship bestowed upon the family, accused individuals may feel as if they are out of options.
If you have been accused of committing an act of violence or aggression towards a family member, you should immediately retain the services of one of our trusted Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert. With a Weston domestic violence Lawyer at your side, you may be able properly defend yourself. To get started on a case, schedule a free consultation today.
Legal Definition of Domestic Violence in Weston
Although domestic violence charges are centered around family disputes, they are treated as criminal offenses as opposed to a civil offense. Once Law Enforcement believes that you have committed an act of domestic violence, they may choose to step in by aggressively pursuing charges against you. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 741.28, you may be charged with this offense if you commit any of the following actions against a family member:
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault and battery
- Stalking
- Kidnapping and false imprisonment
- Physical harm or death to a family member
According to the law, a family member includes current and past spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons residing together as a family of who have done so in the past, and persons who are parents of a child.
What are the Penalties for Domestic Violence?
Depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense, you may face prison time if convicted. The minimum sentence for a domestic violence offense in Florida is 10 days in county Jail for a first offense. For a second offense, you can be sentenced to 15 days in county Jail, and 20 days for a third offense. If the alleged crime took place in front of a child under the age of 16, you may be ordered to serve a minimum sentence of 15 days in Jail.
In addition to a Jail sentence, you may be required to attend a batterers’ intervention program while on probation for one year.
What are Domestic Violence Injunctions?
As stated by Florida Statute § 741.30, you may also be ordered to vacate your place of living if shared by the alleged victim or family of the alleged victim through a Court injunction. You may also be required to temporarily pay for specific expenses and adjust your custody rights over a child. These injunctions pose serious and drastic changes to your life and should merit the attention of a Weston domestic violence Lawyer.
Learn More about Domestic Violence from a Weston Lawyer
Domestic violence offenses are one of the more serious criminal offenses due to the harm that can be inflicted upon your way of living and the relationship you have with your family. Fortunately, you have many legal options available.
Call a Weston domestic violence Lawyer at Leifert & Leifert today if you have been charged with a family violence offense. An Attorney can work tirelessly on your behalf to get you the result you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today to get started on your case.
