Domestic violence accusations can lead to serious charges. However, domestic violence itself is a fairly broad category, and a number of criminal charges and behaviors can be considered as domestic violence, depending on the circumstances.
Types of domestic violence
Florida law defines domestic violence as any assault, battery, sexual assault, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment or any other criminal offense that results in physical injury or death when it is perpetrated by one household member against another.
Some sources define domestic violence more broadly to include verbal abuse, financial abuse and other actions.
And, while Florida’s definition of domestic violence is limited to victims and aggressors who share a household, state law also recognizes dating violence among people who are not currently living together. This can include physical and sexual violence as well as other forms of abuse.
Criminal charges
While these categories can be broad, prosecutors choose criminal charges more narrowly to fit the circumstances and the specific details of the allegations. The criminal charges that stem from an accusation of domestic violence can include such charges as batter or sexual battery, or violation of a restraining order.
If you have been accused of any type of domestic violence, it’s important to learn about your criminal defense options. In some cases you may be able to successfully argue that your actions were in self defense. In others, you may be able to show that the evidence against you is weak.
These cases are emotionally difficult, and often legally challenging. It’s important to remember that the accused have rights.
