Jacksonville Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys in Florida

Protecting your Rights when you are facing spousal abuse charges

Domestic violence is a serious problem throughout the United States, and law enforcement officers must take swift action at the first sign of a complaint. However, in the heat of an argument, an angry call to police can begin a stream of events that no one wants. If you face accusations of this serious crime, a call to a Jacksonville domestic violence attorney at Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. can make a vital difference to the outcome of your case.

Florida Statute section 741.28 defines domestic violence as any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment or criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. Police do not have to witness these actions to take immediate action to protect an alleged victim.

The law requires police to take domestic violence allegations seriously

Unfortunately, some people abuse domestic violence statutes, bringing charges as means for revenge, when animosities flare up during arguments, during divorce actions, or when immigration issues come into play. Many people do not realize that even if no evidence of assault or battery exists, a call to the police for help may result in a trip directly to jail. Domestic violence allegations against immigrants can result in deportation. These are serious charges requiring the immediate support of an experienced Jacksonville spousal abuse lawyer.

To protect victims, police must operate under the assumption that a victim of abuse might rescind a complaint out of fear of the abuser. So even if the caller does not press charges or begs police not to take action, the alleged abuser often goes to jail, and the state pursues the case. Even if the allegations are false, the results can be devastating:

• If domestic violence charges include battery against a child, the accused may lose parental rights.
• Violating a restraining order can result in jail time and heavy fines.
• Even if you have no prior record, the law prohibits the removal of domestic violence convictions from your record by seal or expunction.
• The law specifies a minimum sentence of one-year probation for a first offense.
• A second domestic violence offense is a felony.

Contact us to put an experienced Jackson, FL, domestic violence defense attorney on your side

At Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A., our domestic violence lawyers in Jacksonville, FL, are on your side, providing decades of criminal law experience. Involving a lawyer early in the case is very important and can often allow alternative resolutions, such as dismissal of charges, filing of lesser charges or other approaches that permit the sealing or expungement of records if conviction does occur.

Take immediate action and call our office at (904) 353-5800 or contact us online to arrange a consultation that is free, with no obligation.