When families have domestic disputes in Florida, they can sometimes turn violent. If the police are called, one or both of the parties may be arrested for a number of criminal charges. They will likely be taken down to the nearest police station, where they will be booked. This is often unexpected, and the accused person may not know what to do.

Counsel

The first thing to do is call a qualified Florida criminal attorney. They will know the procedures for getting the accused person released, if possible. They can also find out what the charges are. These charges may be dropped when the lawyer has had an opportunity to speak to the individual and the police and sort out some of the basics of the case. With solid legal representation by a Florida criminal attorney, sometimes misunderstandings can be straightened out before they get to court. Some Florida criminal lawyers will offer a free initial consultation to those facing criminal charges before agreeing to take the case.

Disclosure

Those accused of a crime should always be honest with their attorneys so that they can get the best representation possible. When the lawyer is confronted with unknown information during trial, the outcome of the case can be greatly affected – usually in a negative way. When meeting with their Florida criminal attorney, this is the accused person’s opportunity to ask questions and find out what type of charges and punishment they face. This is also the time for the person accused of domestic violence to give their lawyer all of the important information in the case. This includes past history with the accuser, previous criminal charges, names of potential witnesses and the defendant’s honest side of the story.

Effects

Domestic violence charges are taken very seriously in the State of Florida. There are criminal penalties involved with convictions, such as jail time and monetary fines. Accusations may also affect the future outcome in divorce and child custody cases. This is especially true since the family law statutes were recently changed in the state. Some of the guidelines are now affected by a parent’s behavior and moral character. When someone is accused of domestic violence, they should seek out legal representation as soon as possible from counsel that is well-versed in the new statutes of family law, as well as criminal cases.

What Not To Do

Until the person has reliable legal counsel, it is not a good idea for them to speak to their accuser. There may be a restraining order in place. If there is not, anything said to the accuser may be misinterpreted and used in the case against them later. The defendant should avoid any type of retaliation or intimidation tactics against the accuser or anyone involved in the case.