Englewood Domestic Violence Lawyer

Englewood Domestic Violence Attorney

If you’re facing domestic violence charges in Florida, know that the state takes these crimes very seriously. In addition to the severe criminal punishments that may come with a conviction, domestic violence charges also bring a social stigma that can damage your personal and professional reputations. If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, turn to an Englewood domestic violence lawyer who can craft a strong defense.

Every domestic violence case is unique, and you want an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and work to preserve your freedom. You can trust Ruhl Law, P.A., to be your advocate throughout the criminal court process.

What Is Domestic Violence in Florida?

Florida law defines domestic violence as any criminal act that results in the injury or death of a family or household member. Acts that qualify as domestic violence include:

• Assault/aggravated assault
• Battery/aggravated battery
• Sexual assault/battery
• Stalking/aggravated stalking
• Kidnapping
• False imprisonment

While 41% of women and 26% of men report having experienced violence by an intimate partner, domestic violence also extends to children, relatives by blood or marriage, and people living together as a family. If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, contact an attorney right away to discuss your case and explore your options for defense.

Penalties for a Domestic Violence Conviction

In Englewood, Florida, there are minimum required terms of imprisonment for domestic violence convictions. These include the following:

• First offense is 10 days in the county jail.
• Second offense leads to 15 days in the county jail.
• Third and subsequent offenses result in 20 days in the county jail.
• Offenses committed in the presence of a child are 15 days, 20 days, and 30 days for the first, second, and third offenses, respectively.

While these sentencing minimums may not seem like a lot of time to spend behind bars, it’s important to note that you could still be charged and convicted for other crimes, such as assault or battery, which carry their own, often more severe, punishments.

Defenses Against Domestic Violence Charges

With serious criminal and social consequences, it’s important to build a strong defense strategy if you’ve been charged with domestic violence. One of the more common routes attorneys take is to argue that you were acting in defense of yourself, another person, or your property. If a person is threatening you, someone else, or your property, you have the right to use a proportional amount of force to stop the imminent harm.

In other cases, your criminal defense lawyer in Englewood may question inconsistencies in a witness’s testimony, which they can highlight during cross-examination. Your attorney might also question the admissibility of evidence, arguing that it was collected illegally or that it doesn’t relate to the domestic violence case. Alternatively, you may consider pursuing plea deals for a reduced sentence.

How Ruhl Law, P.A., Can Help With Domestic Violence Charges

In 2024, Florida’s domestic violence rate was 308.5 per 100,000 residents, though there were certainly more charges than convictions. At Ruhl Law, P.A., we know that many people facing domestic violence charges don’t always get fair treatment under the law. While courts are supposed to follow the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” many defendants are treated as guilty until proven innocent.

We know the state’s domestic violence laws, and we can use that knowledge as we strive to maintain your innocence. Our team can review the evidence against you and craft an effective defense strategy. With our experience and familiarity with the Charlotte County Justice Center, we can work to get your case dismissed, or we may negotiate with the prosecutor to secure a plea deal.

FAQs About Englewood, FL Domestic Violence Law

Why Do Most Domestic Violence Cases Get Dismissed?

Domestic violence cases are often dismissed for many reasons. A lack of sufficient evidence can be a great obstacle for prosecutors, as many domestic violence cases don’t result in physical injuries. It may also be hard to produce witnesses in these cases, and victim cooperation can be a major challenge. Similarly, victims may provide inconsistent accounts of the events. A jury cannot convict unless it is confident of guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt, and inconsistency creates doubt.

What Qualifies as Domestic Violence in Florida?

Florida law is quite specific on what qualifies as domestic violence. Domestic violence is defined as any stalking, assault, kidnapping, battery, false imprisonment, or other act that results in the injury or death of a family or household member. This also includes sex crimes. The law also explains that a family or household member is anyone related by marriage or blood, currently living together, or who has lived together as a family in the past.

What Evidence Is Needed in a Domestic Violence Case?

Evidence that is needed in a domestic violence case includes:

• Photos of the injuries
• Videos of the violence
• Police reports
• Medical records
• Communications between the alleged perpetrator and the victim

Witness statements can also be strong pieces of evidence. An experienced Englewood domestic violence attorney can review the evidence against you and create a useful defense strategy.

How Do You Beat a Domestic Violence Charge in Florida?

To beat a domestic violence charge, you need to build a strong defense. Your attorney may:

• Highlight inconsistencies in witness testimony.
• Question the validity or relevance of evidence.
• Assert that your rights were violated.
• Possibly even argue that your acts were in self-defense.

If possible, your lawyer may negotiate with the prosecutor for dismissal or a plea deal. If the case goes to trial, the goal is to introduce doubt, hopefully leading to an acquittal.

Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer

When you’re facing domestic violence charges, your freedom and reputation are at stake. Hire a domestic violence lawyer to protect your rights and defend you against the charges. An attorney can investigate the incident, challenge the prosecutor’s case against you, and work toward dismissal or acquittal. These cases can be emotionally and mentally challenging, but you don’t have to go through one alone.

Contact the team at Ruhl Law, P.A., today to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help. With over 15 years of experience, we can guide you through this difficult time.