Being charged with domestic violence can be overwhelming, especially if you do not feel that the allegations against you were made in good faith. Here are some of the most important things to know about what to expect if you have been charged with domestic violence in the West Palm Beach area, as well as what your next steps should be.
What Can a Domestic Violence Lawyer Do for Me?
Understanding domestic violence charges can be challenging, and making sure that you are represented by an experienced domestic violence lawyer is an important step in understanding your rights and responsibilities throughout the process. By providing an attorney who has a significant amount of experience handling domestic violence cases in Florida with as many details about what happened as you can, we can craft the best possible argument in your favor for the best chance of receiving a fair outcome. We can also review the charges against you to ensure they are appropriate for your situation rather than excessively harsh.
Why Should You Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer?
Even seemingly minor domestic violence charges can have a significant impact on your life, which means that hiring a domestic violence lawyer is key when it comes to minimizing the potential damage that your situation may cause. While it can be difficult to get charges of this nature dropped, working with the most experienced legal team possible is your best chance of doing so. We can also add details not initially considered to create a complete picture of your role in the incident(s) and whether the alleged victim may have made misleading statements to sway the outcome in their favor.
What are some of the penalties you could face if you are convicted?
The specific penalties that may result from domestic violence are often linked to the details of your unique situation and the overall severity of the incident(s) you were involved in. In many situations, the person who made a domestic violence charge against you will begin by filing a temporary protective order against you to prevent retaliation during further proceedings. In Florida, alleged victims of dating violence will typically be granted this order even if they have not yet been formally charged with a crime. Temporary protective orders are valid for 15 days and often escalate to permanent orders through a formal hearing. Some potential conditions of temporary or permanent protective orders may include:
- Prohibiting any type of communication with the victim
- Prohibiting you from going within a specified radius of the victim’s home, workplace, or school
- Requiring you to pay for the victim to stay elsewhere if avoidance is not possible under your current circumstances (such as currently living with the victim)
- Prohibiting you from possessing a firearm, consuming alcohol, or other high-risk behaviors
In Florida, domestic violence cases carry a minimum of five days in jail if they result in a conviction. While this may not seem significant, assault, sexual assault, battery, and other serious domestic violence cases are often considered felonies with the potential for much more significant prison time. Federal law also permanently bans anyone convicted of any domestic violence charge from owning or carrying a firearm, which means that choosing a highly experienced domestic violence lawyer is a must if you rely on one for your safety.
Are You in Need of a Domestic Violence Lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL? Contact Piotrowski Law Today
At Piotrowski Law, our experts understand the complications associated with domestic violence cases in the West Palm Beach area. While these situations can look similar to standard assault, harassment, or similar charges, the extra layer of more significant relationships can make settling these cases significantly more difficult from both an emotional and a legal standpoint. By having us review the details of your case as soon as possible, we can work with you to create the strongest possible argument in your favor. Contact us today to learn more about what to expect when facing a domestic violence charge in West Palm Beach or to schedule a consultation.