what happens when a domestic violence case goes to florida state attorney

by Greg Parker 10 min read

When the State Attorney’s Office receives a formal complaint from a law enforcement agency, an assistant state attorney, assigned to the case, will review the reports and may interview witnesses. It is important to cooperate with this office to ensure that all the information about the crime is provided.

Full Answer

What happens if you are charged with domestic violence in Florida?

Jun 08, 2020 · Crimes of domestic violence in Florida are completely varied. Generally speaking, a domestic violence case is going to be a felony, or a misdemeanor based on the level of the underlying crime. Domestic violence is not a separate offense, but rather a sentence enhancer if an individual is found guilty.

Can a domestic violence case be dropped without contact?

Nov 09, 2018 · The State Attorney’s Victim Assistance/Domestic Violence Program was established to provide comprehensive services to victims of crime. We are available to help you through the criminal justice process and with any problems you may experience as a result of this crime. The Information for Crime Victims booklet can also be found on our website.

Do I need a lawyer for a domestic violence case?

This is not the case after a domestic violence arrest in Florida. You will not be able to bond out immediately after your arrest. Rather, you must wait until you have your First Appearance (also referred to as an Advisory Hearing) with the judge to discuss bond. The state will likely set the hearing within 24 hours of your arrest.

Can I get Bond after a domestic violence arrest in Florida?

Oftentimes, the alleged victim simply ignores calls from the State or the police to participate in the prosecution. There are a lot of Domestic Violence Battery cases being prosecuted by the State where the State has no contact with their alleged victim. These cases usually end up set for trial, and are later dismissed.

image

How long does a prosecuting attorney have to file charges in Florida?

Regardless of the severity of the charge, the state only has 175 days after an arrest to file charges, and that is found in Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191.

Why do most domestic violence cases get dismissed?

If a prosecutor discovers that the accuser has a history of falsely alleging domestic violence, they may feel that a jury will not believe them during a trial — since a defense attorney will likely bring up that history. This may lead to the charges being dismissed.Dec 21, 2020

How long does a prosecuting attorney have to file charges?

The prosecutor must present their evidence. Prosecutors generally file criminal charges within two to three days. Because prosecutors must file so quickly, the criminal charges can change significantly over time.Nov 18, 2021

Do domestic abuse cases go to court?

A police chief warned this week: “Too few victims are seeing their cases go to court.” An analysis of figures from 2017 up to the start of the first lockdown last March reveal that 65.8 per cent of domestic abuse allegations in London were prosecuted after being handed to the CPS.Mar 18, 2021

Can domestic violence case be withdrawn?

You will have to file an application for withdrawal of case through an advocate. Along with the application your affidavit will be filed mentioning the reason for withdrawal.

Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute?

No likelihood of success. Prosecutors may decline to press charges because they think it unlikely that a conviction will result. No matter what the prosecutor's personal feelings about the case, the prosecutor needs legally admissible evidence sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

How do you find out if there are pending charges against me for free?

To find out if any paperwork is coming to you in the mail, you can contact the local criminal court and ask the clerk if any pending cases, warrants, or court dates have been filed. This information is sometimes available online.

How many years after a crime can you be charged?

For most crimes, the state loses the power to charge you with a crime 5 years after the crime is committed. Like most other facets of the law there are exceptions, here are a few. If the crime committed was rape there is no statute of limitations.