Domestic Violence – It's Not Always What You Think

Florida law doesn’t require that you live together with your accuser now or at any time as a predicate for a domestic violence charge. A skilled Jacksonville domestic violence defense attorney can answer your questions about how the state views acts of domestic violence against any blood relative who lives elsewhere, an ex-spouse who visits ― or even a person you have never lived with but with whom you had a child. In the meantime, know this:

The Florida statute defines both the acts constituting domestic violence and the “family members” or “household members” that are protected. “Family or household member” includes:

• Spouses
• Former spouses
• Anyone related by blood or marriage
• Anyone who resided or is residing together as a family, and
• Two people with a common child, whether or not they have been married

Often, domestic violence cases arise out of extraordinary stresses in relationships caused by financial issues, divorces, custody disagreements, or even the stress of holidays. What’s important is that you seek the help of a domestic violence defense lawyer as soon as you are accused. The charge of domestic violence may be false, may be exaggerated, may be mischaracterized (if you were defending yourself, for example) or may be a deliberate strategy in a divorce action. Regardless of the claim’s veracity, the police and courts will act as if you are the problem once a charge of domestic violence has been brought against you.

If you have been accused of domestic violence, the trusted and highly respected Jacksonville criminal defense firm, Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A., can help you to set the record straight. Our experienced attorneys with more than eight decades of collective criminal defense experience have the skill and knowledge to successfully contest false accusations, mistakes that can otherwise result in your loss of child custody and, sometimes, incarceration.