In today’s modern age, it’s hard to go a single day without hearing about domestic violence. All you have to do is watch the news or read the newspaper and you’re sure to come across at least one story associated with some form of domestic violence (or a related crime-like assault).
As you can imagine, domestic violence is a serious crime that can lead to serious consequences. With this in mind, if you’re ever charged with domestic violence, you need to understand your legal rights and the steps you can take to help avoid a conviction.
What are the penalties for a domestic violence conviction?
In the state of Florida, penalties and sentences for a domestic violence conviction are harsh.
For example, domestic violence laws state that a conviction must be punished by a minimum of five days in county jail. Of course, depending on the circumstances, it’s possible for a person to receive a longer period of imprisonment, often in the Florida state prison system.
However, there’s something else you need to know. Florida laws permit the court to decide on a sentence of community service or probation, which is always better than the alternative of spending time in county jail or a state prison.
Adding to the complexity of your situation is the fact that other criminal charges could come into play. For instance, domestic violence is often coupled with a charge of assault and battery.
With some forms of assault charged as a felony, a conviction could result in a prison term lasting for as long as five years.
There is a lot of gray area when it comes to domestic violence. While the other person feels that he or she was a victim, you will have another story in regard to what went wrong and why you did nothing to deserve criminal charges.
Regardless of the circumstances, it goes without saying that you need to fight back against any domestic violence charge. Not only can this result in a serious punishment from the court, but it can make it difficult to secure a job or hang on to your current employment.