Domestic Violence West Palm Beach Criminal Lawyer

Domestic Violence Criminal Cases occur when a family member, someone you live with or are in a relationship with accuses you of violence. The domestic violence statute, §741.28 explains several different violent offenses that are considered an act or crime of domestic violence. The statute, with hyperlink above, also defines family or household member.

To be arrested or accused of domestic violence is a difficult situation for all parties involved. It often implies that there is a serious problem in the relationship. Of course, misunderstandings occur or one finds themself being arrested by an over zealous or overly cautious police officer. There are many reasons one is arrested for domestic violence. Our office understands the difficulties with this type of case. We have represented lots of people that have been accused. We have seen alleged victims contact the state attorney’s office in an attempt to dismiss charges and their wishes are ignored. Remember, it is the state attorney’s case to charge or not to charge, the alleged victim has some say but the prosecutor makes the ultimate decision. We are here to help. We advocate by humanizing you and sharing your version of events with the prosecutor in an effort to have the case dismissed.

When you are arrested the court automatically places a no contact order, which means you can’t go home to your family. If you do, you are rearrested for additional crimes. A domestic violence attorney can help with that process by filing motions with the court requesting the no contact order be changed to “ no harmful contact” but the court makes that decision.

If you are arrested or the police are calling you regarding an accusation of domestic violence, The Law Office of Roger P Foley is available. You will speak directly to an attorney. We will stand by your side and be your voice in all-legal proceedings. The goal is to always have the case dismissed or reduced.

Call us today at (561) 746-7076; we are technologically available via Zoom, Skype, telephone or in person. We represent people facing charges in Palm Beach County Court in West Palm Beach (the main courthouse), the North County Court House in Palm Beach Gardens and the South County Courthouse in Delray Beach. We are available to people arrested in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Royal Palm Beach and Wellington. We handle cases in every county in Florida, however we often represent people in Broward County, Martin County, Miami-Dade County, and St Lucie County. If you need us, call us.

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Florida Statute § 741.28, and §784.046(5)(d)(1) define family and dating violence under the domestic violence statute and is clearly explained to involve people that live together, previously lived together, in a relationship, are related by blood or marriage. Same sex relationships are also included. Click on links above to see Statute and exact definition.

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• Aggravated Assault (Florida Statute § 784.021) 3^rd degree Felony Maximum 5years Florida State Prison (FSP)
• Aggravated Battery (Florida Statute § 784.045), applies to victim hit with object or if victim is pregnant at time and defendant knew about pregnancy. 2^nd degree Felony, Max 15 years *FSP
• Aggravated Stalking (Florida Statute § 784.048(3)). 3^rd degree felony Maximum 5 years FSP
• Assault (Florida Statute § 784.011) 1^st degree misdemeanor Maximum 365 days Palm Beach County Jail.
• Battery (Florida Statute § 784.03) 1^st degree misdemeanor Maximum 365 days Palm Beach County Jail. Felony Battery is under the same statute- 3^rd degree felony Maximum 5 years FSP
• False Imprisonment (Florida Statute § 787.02) 3^rd degree felony Maximum 5 years FSP if it’s an adult, if a child under 13 with enumerated felony it’s a 1^st Degree Felony punishable up to life in Prison.
• Felony Battery by Strangulation (Florida Statutes § 784.041(2)(a)) 3^rd degree felony Maximum 5 years *FSP
• Kidnapping (Florida Statute § 787.01) 1^st degree felony punishable by life in prison.
• Stalking (Florida Statute §784.048(2)) 1^st degree misdemeanor Maximum 365 days Palm Beach County Jail.
• Violation of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence (Florida Statute §741.31) 1^st degree misdemeanor Maximum 365 days Palm Beach County Jail.

Florida Statutes state that “any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death” of a family or household member may be charged as domestic violence.

*FSP=Florida State Prison

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If you are convicted of a domestic violence charge, even a misdemeanor, you will have a minimum of 5 days incarceration. See Florida Statute §741.283. That does not mean you will receive 5 days that means you will do minimum of five days in jail. Judges often sentence more than the minimum, if convicted. If convicted of a felony you are looking at definite incarceration and likely prison.

Any plea to a domestic violence charge is non sealable or expugnable. That means it is on your record for life. Even if, you receive a withhold of adjudication the case cannot be removed from your record.

Loss of concealed weapon license and inability to purchase a firearm, whether you plea and receive withhold of adjudication or conviction.

The goal is to have the charges dismissed, or have them changed. There are diversion programs on misdemeanor battery domestic violence cases.

* If you go to trial and are successful in receiving a “not guilty” verdict. You are only eligible to seal your record. After sealing, you must wait 10 years to expunge.

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Oh, how wonderful, Florida has a “no bond” policy so you cant bond out without seeing a judge. This is what is referred to as “first appearance.” It’s a no win situation because 99.99 percent of the time, the judge will find probable cause for the arrest. Even if, the alleged victim, shows up for court and tells the judge and the prosecutor they hit you, spit on you, cracked a plate over your head, hit you with the car, stabbed you, shot at you, or any other thing that would be obvious to a person listening that you did not commit a crime…..the state will not drop the charges at the hearing. Obviously, any statements like that on the record may persuade the case filing attorney to decline the charges but nothing is guaranteed as its strictly up to the State Attorney’s office to go forward or not on the case.

One good thing about first appearance on a domestic violence charge, is that if victim attends and makes a request to the victim advocate that he/she wishes to speak. The victim advocate will alert the judge that they wish to speak and the judge will listen. The alleged victim may request contact with the defendant and the judge may grant “no harmful contact” and you could go home. It can also harm the Defendant if judge starts asking questions about the case. Remember, the alleged victim will be under oath in court and if during their testimony they reiterate/repeat that they were touched or struck against their will then the case becomes more difficult. The alleged victim can also testify that they are petrified of the defendant and say things that will cause the judge to increase the bond amount and add additional conditions such as supervised release and/or an ankle monitor. First appearance occurs seven days a week. Yes, weekends and holidays.

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There are defenses to Domestic Violence, some of which are statute specific. For example, with the exception of people who have a child in common, the “family or household members” against whom the domestic violence was committed must be currently living together in one house, or must have lived together in the past in one house. If the defendant and victim do not have a child together and never lived together, any physical violence would not be domestic by statutory definition.

When the police are sent to investigate Domestic Violence incidents, they tend to be on high alert because the parties involved are often emotionally charged. Police officers in Florida tend to assume that everyone involved in a domestic call is dangerous. Due to the heightened perceived threat, police officers are usually more aggressive in these types of situations and are much more likely to make an arrest for public policy reasons. Arrests are often made without any common sense justification, but rather to defuse the situation. When officers are called out to a domestic dispute, they are making an arrest – an arrest can rarely be stopped.

A person who is facing an arrest for domestic violence, especially when it is for something as simple as grabbing a phone from someone’s hands, can feel overwhelmed and extremely emotional. However, your actions following an arrest for Domestic Violence can make all of the difference in the world regarding the final outcome of your case. It is important that you do not fight with the police officers and that you exercise your right to remain silent. You can fight the charges later in court where cooler heads can prevail.

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Domestic Violence is a serious issue in Palm Beach County, Florida and it is important for those arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence charges take the necessary steps to defend themselves. The first step is hiring an experienced Florida criminal defense lawyer that has successfully represented defendants in all types of domestic violent cases. For a one (1) hour case strategy, with Attorney Roger P. Foley, schedule a detailed consultation now.

There are many types of domestic violence (dv) charges. The most common misdemeanor charges are Misdemeanor Battery and Violation of injunction. The most common felony domestic violence charges are Battery by Strangulation and Battery On A Pregnant Women.

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