Delray Beach Domestic Violence Lawyers

Defending Those Who Have Been Accused Of Domestic Violence Throughout Southern Florida

A charge for spousal abuse, family violence, or any other offense qualifying as domestic violence can severely impact your liberties and lead to prison time and steep fines. The worst part is that domestic violence accusations are not always true.

Your charge is largely opinion-based, meaning your future relies heavily upon the word of your accuser. What if you are undergoing a messy divorce that your accuser didn’t want? Or what if your accuser has a history of lying and exaggerating the truth?

We will expose every flaw and inconsistency needed to convince the jury that you’re innocent. When your future and livelihood are at stake, we don’t mess around. Domestic violence is not treated lightly in the state of Florida. It takes our caring and fierce lawyers who understand both sides of the law to better overcome your charge.

Have you been accused of domestic violence? Call McLaughlin Morris Law today at (561) 771-6336 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Delray Beach domestic violence attorney!

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a criminal offense in which one causes or threatens to harm a family or household member. “Family or household member” includes:

• 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 have a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married or have resided together at any time

Families fight. People get under each other’s skin and disagree all the time. That doesn’t mean you are guilty of domestic violence. Our defense lawyers are committed to telling your side of the story in a strategic, compelling way so that the jury can better understand the truth.

Common Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence takes the shape and form of offenses that inflict harm on others. The difference between domestic violence and the below offenses is who the victim is and under what circumstances the act was committed:

Assault: An individual commits an act violently or threatens to act violently towards a family or household member, and the alleged victim has a reasonable fear that violence will occur.

• Second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500
• Can be upgraded to aggravated assault if a deadly weapon was used, which is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000

Battery: An individual touches a family or household member with the intent to injure the person.

• First-degree misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $1,000
• Can be upgraded to aggravated battery if a deadly weapon was used during the commission of the offense, which is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000

Domestic Battery by Strangulation: An individual prevents or obstructs the breathing of a family or household member.

• This offense is usually charged as a third-degree felony punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000