when to retain attorney for domestic battery defense

It is advantageous to retain an attorney early in the process to discuss the case with the prosecution. The prosecutor may be less likely to press charges if they are presented with strong factual defenses or mitigating circumstances. You should take seriously an arrest for domestic battery.

Full Answer

What happens if you don't do it?

Is it scary to go to court for domestic battery?

Can you hurt someone while defending yourself?

What is the “cost” of not hiring the best domestic violence defense attorney?

In determining your budget for a defense attorney, you must consider the consequences that apply to your unique situation. Some of the possible direct and collateral consequences of domestic violence are as follows:

How long do you have to go to jail for domestic violence?

In determining your budget for a defense attorney, you must consider the consequences that apply to your unique situation. Some of the possible direct and collateral consequences of domestic violence are as follows: 1 up to 93 days in jail for a first offense domestic violence, 2 up to 1 year in jail for aggravated domestic violence, 3 up to 1 year if there is a prior conviction for domestic violence, 4 up to 5 years in prison if there are 2 or more prior convictions, 5 up to 2 years of probation for a misdemeanor, 6 up to 5 years of probation for a felony, 7 loss of custody or visitation rights, 8 difficulty getting promotions or employment, 9 loss or suspension of a professional license, 10 extensive fines and costs, 11 forced therapy, drug and alcohol abstinence, testing, education, community service, house arrest, travel limitations, a lifetime bar on possessing firearms, and more.

How much does a domestic violence lawyer cost?

You can expect to pay between $2,500 and $10,000 for a good, retained domestic violence defense attorney. The cost of a domestic violence lawyer is determined by many factors, including the complexity of the case and the importance of the outcome.

Is domestic violence a serious crime?

An accusation of domestic violence is serious, and anyone can imagine that a conviction can make life very difficult in several ways. Because such an allegation can be so distressing, it is critical to hire someone who can help you and protect you right away. No one plans for the expense of hiring a criminal defense attorney; however, the investment in an experienced defense lawyer is necessary because not having good legal representation is a recipe for disaster. Because money doesn’t grow on trees, the cost of retaining a domestic violence defense attorney is an important consideration for someone looking to retain counsel.

Can a domestic violence conviction be deported?

For resident aliens, Green Card holders, or aliens in the United States on a Visa, a domestic violence conviction can result in deportation or inability to re-enter the United States. A plea under advisement, even a plea that does not result in a conviction, is meaningless in immigration court. Few criminal defense lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the potential direct and indirect consequences of a domestic violence or domestic assault conviction. For example, most defense lawyers do not know that a “conviction” in criminal law is defined in a completely different way under federal immigration law. If you are in the United States on a visa or other temporary status, you will want the best domestic violence defense lawyer protecting and defending you in court.

Domestic Violence in Florida

Domestic Violence is statutorily defined as a “criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.” This can result from:

Common Domestic Violence Cases

Our professional counsel encompasses a wide variety of domestic violence matters including the following:

What happens if you don't do it?

If you didn’t do it, you didn’t do it. Your attorney will work to establish that you either weren’t there or that you didn’t injure the alleged victim (or that someone else – including the victim him- or herself – did)

Is it scary to go to court for domestic battery?

Going to court over domestic battery is scary – you don’t know how your case will turn out until the judge issues a ruling. Your domestic battery defense attorney will be right there by your side every step of the way, but will you win?

Can you hurt someone while defending yourself?

You may have injured the victim while defending yourself or your children – that is actually fairly common. If that’s what happened in your case, your attorney will check the police report to see if the alleged victim reported using violence him- or herself, as well as compare your injuries with the alleged victim’s injuries to find out if they’re consistent with self-defense.