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Domestic Violence Attorneys at Your Side

You should never take criminal charges lightly—especially when those charges involve domestic violence. The authorities in St. Petersburg aggressively prosecute domestic violence, and if you are convicted, the state will ask the court to impose serious penalties. If you are facing domestic violence charges in St. Petersburg, now is the time to fight for your freedom. Don’t do it alone—turn to the domestic violence lawyers at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett for help. Let us guide you through the criminal justice system and work tirelessly to reach the best possible outcome in your case. Call today to schedule a free consultation with our domestic violence attorneys in St. Petersburg.

Attorneys at Carlson Meissner Law Firm on Criminal Defense

Attorney J. Kevin Hayslett

What Crimes Are Considered Domestic Violence in St. Petersburg?

It’s important to understand how the law in Florida defines domestic violence since this definition can vary from state-to-state. Various crimes qualify as domestic violence in the state of Florida, including:

  • Assault
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Battery
  • Aggravated Battery
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Battery
  • Stalking
  • Aggravated Stalking
  • Kidnapping
  • False Imprisonment
  • Other crimes that result in injury or death of the victim

All of these criminal acts are treated as domestic violence offenses in Clearwater if they are committed by and against “family or household members.”

The law defines “family or household members” as:

  • Spouses
  • Former spouses
  • Family members related by either blood or marriage
  • People who currently live together as a family
  • People who have previously lived together as a family
  • People who share a child in common, regardless of whether or not they are married or have ever been married in the past

If you have been accused of committing a crime that is classified as domestic violence, you will need an attorney’s help to fight for your freedom. Contact Carlson Meissner & Hayslett to discuss your legal options with our team of domestic violence lawyers in St. Petersburg today.

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What Are Domestic Violence Penalties in Florida?

The courts in St. Petersburg can impose serious penalties on anyone who is convicted of a domestic violence offense. Some of the penalties you may face include:

  • Jail time is a potential penalty for all domestic violence offenders, but it is mandatory in cases where the defendant intentionally harmed the victim
  • Fines
  • Probation
  • Community service
  • Completion of a batterers’ intervention program

The exact penalties you will face for a domestic violence conviction will depend on many factors, including the nature of your crime and your prior criminal record. But even first-time offenders can face serious consequences for a domestic violence conviction in St. Petersburg.

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FAQ

What counts as family under the law?

Can I get a temporary or permanent restraining order?

Does intimidation count as domestic violence?

How much does it cost?

Can I file a domestic violence lawsuit against my abuser?

Can men be victims of domestic violence?

Is domestic violence a crime punishable under criminal law in Florida?

What is considered a history of domestic violence?

Where can I get a domestic violence injunction in Florida?

What counts as family under the law?

According to Florida law, the following count as family for domestic violence purposes:

  • Spouses
  • Former spouses
  • Persons related by blood or marriage
  • Persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as if a family
  • Persons who are parents of a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married

Can I get a temporary or permanent restraining order?

In Florida, when you file a petition for protection against domestic violence, the court will automatically consider giving you a temporary injunction and a final one for protection against domestic violence. The temporary or ex parte injunction provides you and your family members with immediate protection from the abuser for up to fifteen days. The final injunction may provide you with more protection than the temporary one as it may have a set period that will be in effect, or it may not have an expiration date.

Does intimidation count as domestic violence?

Florida defines domestic violence as:

  • Physical violence
  • Sexual violence
  • Emotional abuse
  • Economic abuse
  • Isolation
  • Pet abuse
  • Threats relating to children
  • Any assault
  • Aggravated assault
  • Battery
  • Aggravated battery
  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual battery
  • Stalking
  • Aggravated stalking
  • Kidnapping
  • False imprisonment
  • Any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death

How much does it cost?

The cost to hire a domestic violence defense lawyer in Florida can range from $3500 to $20000.

Can I file a domestic violence lawsuit against my abuser?

Yes. As a victim of domestic violence, you can sue your abuser for your injuries in civil court, even if you've gone through criminal proceedings and lost. Florida's statute of limitations for such a lawsuit is generally four years.

Can men be victims of domestic violence?

Absolutely. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, including men. Domestic violence laws typically protect victims, regardless of gender, from their abusers (of any gender).

Is domestic violence a crime punishable under criminal law in Florida?

Yes, a person may face criminal penalties for acts of domestic violence in Florida. It is generally a misdemeanor charge and includes approximately one year in jail.

What is considered a history of domestic violence?

A person has a history of domestic violence when there is more than one instance of police coming to their home to address a domestic disturbance.

Where can I get a domestic violence injunction in Florida?

You can apply for a domestic violence injunction in the circuit where the violence occurred. Circuit courts have forms available, and their staff is required by law to help you complete these forms. There is no filing fee.

Can A Victim Get Domestic Violence Charges Dropped?

In many criminal cases, the victim gets to decide whether or not to press charges against the defendant. But that’s not how it works in domestic violence cases in St. Petersburg. If you are accused of domestic violence, the state can continue to prosecute you for this crime regardless of the victim’s wishes. If the victim does not want to cooperate with the investigation, the state may be able to move forward with their case if they have enough evidence to convict you without the victim’s help.

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When Should I Hire A Domestic Violence Attorney in St. Petersburg?

If you are arrested for domestic violence, it’s in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett right away. The sooner you hire our domestic violence lawyers, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and working toward the best possible outcome in your case.

There is far too much on the line in a domestic violence case to take a “wait and see” approach. Don’t wait to find out what will happen down the road in your case—contact our domestic violence lawyers in St. Petersburg as soon as possible to begin fighting for your freedom.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Domestic Violence Defense Law Firm in St. Petersburg

If you have been accused of domestic violence, it’s important to protect your rights with the help of the team at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett. Our domestic violence lawyers will stand by your side and aggressively fight for your freedom from the start to the finish of your case. We have over 125 years of combined criminal defense experience, so we know what it takes to beat domestic violence charges.

There is a lot at stake in a domestic violence case. Let our attorneys work tirelessly to reach the best possible outcome for you. To schedule a free consultation regarding your case, call today or fill out the form on this website.

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