Many people in the Fort Lauderdale area who otherwise have an unblemished criminal record may find themselves accused of a battery or assault related to domestic violence.
Without any aggravating circumstances, even someone with no criminal history will likely face a misdemeanor criminal charge if they are accused of angrily touching their spouse, partner or other family member.
A person can go to jail for a misdemeanor, even for several weeks or months. For some types of crimes related to domestic violence, a judge must place a person in jail.
Additionally, after a domestic violence battery, a person will have to attend a special 6-month long class and must be put on probation. Judges may also impose a fine and set up strict probation requirements, including a no contact order.
Depending on the person’s circumstances, Florida prosecutors may also charge some people with felonies related to domestic violence even if they have no history of either committing crimes or being violent.
A person accused of domestic should think twice before signing a plea deal
Granted, sometimes prosecutors will offer plea deals that spare people the most serious consequences of a conviction. This is especially true when a person has no prior history.
It may be tempting for someone to jump at a good deal since they really want to just put the ordeal behind them.
One problem with accepting a plea bargain to a domestic violence charge without thinking about it is that even misdemeanors related to domestic violence have consequences that go beyond the criminal penalties:
- A parent can have their right to make decisions for or even to see their children restricted.
- A person may not be able to own or possess a firearm legally.
- A person may be excluded from their home and other places because of a protective order.
- Someone who is not an American citizen may face deportation.
- A person may lose many personal and professional opportunities, as employers, educational institutions, licensing authorities and even volunteer organizations take domestic violence allegations seriously.
The consequences for even one conviction related to domestic violence are steep. A resident of Broward County will want to make sure they understand all their legal options.