Clearwater Domestic Violence Attorney

Have you been charged with domestic violence?

If police arrive at your home because of a family altercation and an arrest is made, the lives of all concerned can be thrown into chaos. Many times the person accused of domestic violence was acting in self defense, or the accusations of violence are exaggerated. Contrary to what is commonly believed, it is not always the man who is the aggressor.

A recent study by the Department of Justice and Center for Disease control showed that 25-35% of the victims of domestic violence are men. If a domestic relationship becomes volatile, both parties can be the aggressor at different times, depending on the situation. An argument gets heated, and both parties may act improperly.

Being charged with domestic violence can be life changing. The state of Florida is committed to prosecuting domestic abuse cases. If you have prior convictions or the case involves physical injuries, you will most likely be charged with a felony which has severe penalties, including jail or prison time, as well as court-mandated domestic violence counseling. If you have been accused of domestic violence, it is not in your best interests to contact your accuser. Attorney Timothy Hessinger is a Clearwater criminal defense lawyer and former state prosecutor who has defended clients against countless domestic violence offenses. Our skilled legal team is dedicated to protecting your rights and your freedom.

Penalties for Domestic Violence in Clearwater

Domestic violence offenses carry penalties based on whether the charge was a misdemeanor or a felony offense. If you are convicted, you could face the following serious consequences:

• Jail time
• Community service
• Payment of fines
• A criminal record
• Restricted from owning a firearm
• Restricted from access to your home
• Mandatory domestic violence counseling
• Restricted from any contact with the victim or with your children

We will use our experience with domestic violence cases to fight to reduce or dismiss the charges against you or seek a full acquittal in court, and keep you out of jail. Don't give up. We are here to provide you with the strong defense you need when seeking a positive outcome to your case. Early involvement in the case is critical, as certain actions could be taken to assist in avoiding being formally charged with domestic violence. Do not wait for the State Attorney to file formal charges before contacting our legal team. The best opportunity to get charges reduced or dropped is prior to the State Attorney filing formal charges. If you wait for your first court notice you have waited too long. For more information on impacting the prosecutor's filing decision, see our article here.