Because of their varied backgrounds, they always have a well-rounded view of the cases they take on. They can provide both compassionate support and aggressive legal representation. Call the team at Goldman Wetzel at as soon as you find out that you might go to jail for domestic violence. When we get involved early, we may be able to:. The criminal defense team from Goldman Wetzel can help if you face allegations or charges of domestic violence in or around Tampa, FL.
Petersburg, and other nearby communities. Call us today at to discuss your case with a member of our team or to get started right away. Charged with a Serious Offense? We Defend. How Long You Could Go to Jail For Domestic Violence If the courts find you guilty of a domestic violence crime such as domestic battery or felony domestic battery, you could face mandatory minimum jail or prison time. Mandatory minimums for domestic violence in Florida include: 10 days for a first offense 15 days for a second offense 20 days for a third or subsequent offense.
Throughout this process, your lawyer will spend time learning the following for your case:. Your lawyer will need to investigate details about the case in their quest to build your defense. This can sometimes mean discussing the matter with any witnesses, including character witnesses. Misdemeanor convictions do not have the same severe consequences that felony charges do.
However, a misdemeanor still gives you a criminal record and could make it more difficult to prove your innocence in future criminal cases. In some cases, an employer may only request criminal records back a set number of years. There is no set time for which a misdemeanor will no longer show on your criminal record.
If a sentence is deferred, the court does not impose any jail or prison time but imposes certain conditions on the defendant, such as probation, counseling or other treatment, or community service. At the end of the deferment period, if the defendant satisfies the conditions and completes the period without further criminal activity or arrests, the case is dismissed. The arrest and dismissal will be part of the defendant's criminal record.
For a suspended sentence, the court can suspend all or a portion of the jail or prison sentence as long as the defendant successfully completes probation and any other conditions the court imposes.
A person on supervised probation must meet with a probation officer and comply with conditions of probation such as treatment, maintaining employment and avoiding any further criminal activity or arrests. If you are facing a charge for domestic violence in Ohio, you'll benefit from having an attorney who can investigate the case and determine if you were wrongfully charged, or whether there are other reasons why the case should be dismissed before trial.
If the charges are not dismissed, an attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor on your behalf, or prepare a defense and represent you at trial if you believe you have been wrongly accused or if there are no reasonable plea options. Prosecutors may negotiate and agree to a lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea or to the defendant pleading guilty to a different, less serious crime. A conviction for domestic violence — even a misdemeanor — becomes part of your permanent criminal record.
If you are convicted later of another crime, the court can consider your prior conviction and impose a harsher sentence in the new case. A convicted felon loses the right to vote, hold public office, serve as a juror for seven years and carry or own firearms. In certain circumstances, a felony conviction also can result in loss of a professional license. A conviction for a violent crime — misdemeanor or felony — can hurt you when you are looking for a job or applying to rent a house or apartment.
Only someone familiar with the local criminal court system and cases like yours will know how good your chances are for a favorable outcome in court or at the negotiating table. Domestic violence charges and jail time look different depending on the situation. If you have never been convicted or pleaded guilty to domestic violence before, you could face a first-degree misdemeanor conviction for actual or attempted harm. The judge has the final say about sentencing, but domestic violence jail time can range between 0 and 30 days for a fourth-degree misdemeanor and up to six months for a first-degree misdemeanor.
Both convictions may result in fines in addition to jail time. The consequences are more severe if you have a prior conviction for domestic violence. With priors, actual or attempted harm becomes a fourth-degree felony, and threatened harm becomes a second-degree misdemeanor.
A fourth-degree felony conviction may result in six to 18 months of jail time. In addition, if you knew that the household member bringing the charges was pregnant at the time of the alleged incident, you can face a mandatory minimum jail sentence of six to twelve months.
Domestic violence charges carry serious penalties. It is important to talk to an experienced Ohio criminal defense attorney right away if you have been charged with domestic violence.
Contact our firm to discuss your domestic violence charge today.
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