Spousal abuse is a type of domestic violence that refers to violent acts between people who are married. This could include battery, assault, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery on a pregnant female, false imprisonment, kidnapping, attempted murder, or murder.
In Boca Raton and across South Florida, there are specialized prosecutors and judges for spousal abuse cases. The state does not take these cases lightly, and neither does law enforcement. Plenty of spouses get into disagreements, bring in the police as attempted peacemakers, and are shocked and upset to find their loved ones being arrested and taken to jail with a no-contact order.
Because a spousal abuse charge can upend your life so quickly, it is imperative to get expert domestic violence attorneys on your case as soon as you are able. A Boca Raton spousal abuse lawyer will protect your rights through every step of the process and work to get your charges reduced or even dropped.
In many criminal cases, the success of a case is based on two things: the lawyer you choose and how quickly you hire them.
The earlier you involve a lawyer in your spousal abuse case, the better. Ideally, you will get in touch with an attorney before you are even charged. An expert lawyer can protect you and shield you from the process. Contacting a Boca Raton spousal abuse attorney early on also gives them the opportunity to get started on your legal strategy right away.
The penalties you might face for alleged spousal abuse will depend on the nature of the underlying crime. For example, if you are charged with aggravated battery, which is a second-degree felony, you face up to 15 years in prison. For misdemeanor battery, the maximum sentence is up to a year. It is crucial to recognize that for any domestic violence charge, pleading guilty will leave the charge permanently on your record. A skilled spousal abuse lawyer can ensure that you do not mistakenly plead to a charge.
You could also face administrative penalties for spousal abuse. A judge could impose a 26-week batterer intervention program, which is a six-month course that involves a bio-psychosocial evaluation. This is very expensive and time-consuming and is much more intensive than just a weekend domestic violence or anger management course. You could also face court costs, fines, and probation, all of which can upend your financial and social situation.
There are also aggravating and mitigating factors that can increase or decrease the penalties you face for a spousal abuse conviction. A lawyer can explain these factors in more detail during a free initial strategy session.
Aggravating factors can lead to enhanced charges and increased penalties for spousal abuse. One example of an aggravating factor is the alleged victim being pregnant— this elevates a misdemeanor battery all the way to a second-degree felony. While misdemeanor battery carries a maximum of one year behind bars, aggravated battery of a pregnant female comes with a maximum sentence of 15 years. Another aggravating factor is whether an actual injury occurred rather than just a threat of violence. An expert Boca Raton attorney can provide more clarification on aggravating factors in a spousal abuse case and explain the potential penalties associated with a specific charge.
Many attorneys focus only on trying to beat a case and ignore mitigation altogether. At Rossen Law Firm, we believe that it is crucial to work on both.
There are many mitigating factors that can lead to a reduced sentence or even a dropped charge. Oftentimes, a defendant can enroll in an anger management course or program in order to show goodwill. This shows a prosecutor all of the actions and steps that someone is taking. Humanizing a defendant by demonstrating their employment or charity involvement can also be a useful mitigation strategy.
Spousal abuse charges can be life-changing, putting your freedom and future at risk. Our lawyers are here to protect you and help you fight back. At Rossen Law Firm, we look at our clients as human beings, not as data on a police report. Your best interests are our top priority, which is why we leave no stone unturned in building your defense.
One mistake does not need to follow you forever. Let an award-winning Boca Raton spousal abuse lawyer get to work for you so that you can get back to living your life. Call today to set up your free strategy session with our expert team.
Rossen Law Firm’s legal team understands what’s at stake when you’re charged with a crime in South Florida. We’re committed to defending you and protecting your rights. Our legal team is ready to create a customized strategy for your case to fight for the best possible outcome. We handle Criminal, DUI, Federal, Domestic Violence, Marchman Act & Baker Act cases, and more.
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