Penalties for Domestic Violence Charges
In the state of Florida, there are few legal matters as serious as domestic violence. Being found guilty for such a charge becomes a permanent stain on your record, and is socially frowned upon. Ensuring that you have proper representation when defending yourself can mean the difference between a life of judgment, and one of peace and happiness. In order to know what form of defense can be crafted, you must first know the different levels that exist for domestic violence.
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Misdemeanors Vs. Felonies
As with most crimes, there are different levels that exist. You may be accused, but depending on your type of infraction, you can see drastically different penalties. Regardless of the level of the charge, defense is always in your best interest. The following are a list of infractions that can be committed, and we will go into more detail as to what you can expect depending on which you’re facing:
- Domestic Assault
- Domestic Battery
- Stalking
- Aggravated Domestic Assault
- Aggravated Domestic Battery
- Aggravated Stalking
- Battery by Strangulation
In most cases, a standard assault case will fall into a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree. Punishments for this can include jail time of up to sixty days, and/or a fine of up to $500. This is the lowest of the charges that you could face, in part due to the definition and level of crime being committed. It isn’t until battery comes into play that you can see Misdemeanor of the First Degree. Stalking also falls under this category, and you can see punishments of up to a year in prison with fines not exceeding $1,000.
The distinction between a regular crime, and one that necessitates the “aggravated” addition, is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. Felonies of the Third Degree come into play with aggravated domestic assault, aggravated stalking, and strangulation. Because these are all more severe forms of attack, the penalties therefore are as well. It’s not uncommon to see imprisonment of up to five years and/or fines up to but not exceeding $5,000. Believe it or not, there’s yet one other level that exists, and the penalties can drastically change your life. A Felony of the Second Degree occurs when the assailant is accused of aggravated domestic battery. Without any legal representation, you can see fines of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to fifteen years.
Getting a Proper Defense
As you can see, there is an exponentially greater penalty as your charge goes up. Ensuring that you’re defended in the best way possible can do wonders for you. Perhaps you’re facing Felony in the Second Degree, but with the right people fighting for you, the charges may reduce, or be thrown out altogether. At Grozinger Law, P.A. we know that you don’t want this to be a blemish for the rest of your life. Contact us today to see how we can help fight for you, and you’ll be able to rest easier knowing that you’re not in this alone.
