Orlando domestic violence attorneys can tell you that domestic violence is a serious problem that deserves attention. Thanks to film, television, and recent trials that have received a lot of airplay, the issue is finally at the forefront of the public conscience. For victims, this is a very good thing, because domestic violence is something that no one should have to suffer from, and the only way to root it out is to pay special attention to the issue.

Unfortunately, this very attention has lead to central Florida police making arrests if there’s even a possibility of violence or abuse in a domestic dispute, and once this happens, cases are difficult to stop. In many instances, the case will continue even if the person who files the complaint later tries to retract it.

This is because Florida domestic violence charges are handled differently that other criminal charges. The prosecutor’s office contains special Domestic Violence Units with designated prosecutors that handle domestic violence cases. They are given the mandate to aggressively prosecute those who have been charged with domestic violence, and only these prosecutors can dismiss the case.

This is done to protect real victims who might otherwise back off of the charges if they are afraid of their abuser, and in that respect, the law is a good one. However, oftentimes these special prosecutors take their mandate to prosecute too far and refuse to listen to anything the victim has to say – even when they say that it was just a misunderstanding or admit to lying about the abuse for some reason or another.

Because of all this, a domestic violence charge is something that you need to take seriously. Many times, these charges are paired with charges for assault and battery, which can make them seem complicated, but the legal definition of domestic violence in Florida is pretty straightforward:

“Any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit. Your relationship with the person whom the injunction is being filed against must be that of:

• a spouse
• an ex-spouse
• a relative by blood or marriage who currently lives with you or who lived with you in the past
• anyone who lives or has lived with you in the same dwelling as a family unit, or
• anyone with whom you have had a child, with or without having lived together”

So what can you do to protect yourself? If you have been charged with domestic violence, do not try to resolve the situation on your own. This is a serious matter that requires professional legal help. A plea in a domestic violence case can result in a permanent criminal record, mandatory counseling, jail time if there were any injuries involved, community service, fines and fees to the court, anger management classes, and deportation if caused by an immigrant, and you won’t be able to have the charge sealed or expunged from your record. You also very likely won’t be allowed any contact with the victim or your family, and might not be able to return to your home. These are serious consequences.

An experienced domestic violence attorney in central Florida can tell you how to best fight these charges and let you know your options, including a pre-trial diversion program for first time offenders that could get the charges dropped completely. He or she can help you plan a defense aimed at getting the best possible outcome for your specific situation. Don’t wait – call an Orlando domestic violence attorney today.