Domestic Violence Attorney Gainesville, Florida
Domestic violence situations can get complicated. Emotions run high, and matters can quickly turn into “he said, she said” battles. What’s more, when the police respond to a domestic violence call, someone generally gets arrested. After that, the alleged victim has no say in whether charges are laid or not.
The time immediately after an arrest is scary, and what happens in the coming months may have life-long consequences. However, for the time being, you can put your worries aside. A Gainesville domestic violence attorney from Meldon Law can help you avoid a conviction and everything that comes with it. Learn more about the support our defense lawyers offer when you dial (352) 373-8000.
Why Partner With the Attorneys at Meldon Law?
The lawyers at Meldon Law are personally invested in the outcome of your criminal case. That’s because we’re longtime residents of Gainesville, and we want to ensure our friends and neighbors get a fair trial. When you partner with us, you get:
A Tailor-Made Legal Defense
Every client who walks through our door has the same goal: to retain their freedom. To protect your future, we create a unique legal strategy. We may base your defense on one or more of the following:
- You did not commit the crime.
- You acted in self-defense.
- You have an alibi for when the alleged crime occurred.
- The other party is falsely accusing you.
- The prosecution doesn’t have compelling evidence.
We consider many things when creating your defense strategy, including your criminal history, eyewitness testimony, and prosecution’s evidence. You don’t have to come with a defense on your own. While you process the trauma of being arrested, we do everything possible to clear your name.
Support That Comes With Success
We’ve lost track of the number of criminal cases we’ve resolved. Many of our notable results come from drunk driving incidents and other related situations. These successes and experience put us on a first-name basis with many courtroom officials, lawyers, and clerks. We also understand the evidence needed to secure a “not guilty” verdict.
An Investigator
We don’t take the prosecution’s word for what happened. We conduct our own investigation into the alleged crime, getting statements from witnesses and reviewing any valuable video footage. We believe that the more evidence we collect, the more compelling we could make your defense.
Our Gainesville Domestic Violence Lawyers Manage These Cases
There are many offenses listed in the Florida Statutes that are classified as domestic violence. These include:
- Assault
- Aggravated assault
- Battery
- Aggravated battery
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Stalking
- Aggravated stalking
- Kidnapping or false imprisonment
In addition to the above offenses, any crime that results in the physical injury or death of a family member, or member of the household, is also considered domestic violence. It is important to note that the crime of domestic violence does not rely on repeated or severe behavior. Even one instance of pushing, shoving, or grabbing may be enough to result in domestic violence charges.
The law on domestic violence in Florida defines a “household member” as people that live as a family, or that have lived as a family. People who are parents to a child together are also considered household members, even if they were never married.
Our Attorneys Can Protect You Against a Domestic Violence Conviction
We want you to walk away from the criminal justice system with your dignity and future intact. Our lawyers do everything possible to protect your rights and ensure you get a fair trial.
A conviction for domestic violence will result in jail time, fines, and possible enrollment in a treatment facility, like many other criminal offenses. You could also be required to participate in a batterer’s intervention program, per Florida Statute 741.281.
In fact, some domestic violence convictions come with mandatory minimum sentences. For example, if you are convicted of a domestic violence offense and intentionally caused bodily harm, you could face a minimum of 10 days in county jail for a first offense.
We hope to protect you from these other consequences:
Problems Retaining Custody of Your Children
If you have a child custody dispute, an arrest or conviction for domestic violence could have a negative impact on your case. Family law judges make custody decisions in children’s best interest. They may see your domestic violence conviction and question your ability to parent.
Issues Lawfully Owning a Gun
Florida law notes that some convicts and felons cannot own guns. This could complicate matters if you rely on a firearm for security or enjoy hunting. Continuing to own a gun after a conviction could lead to additional charges.
Complications Getting Housing
Many landlords don’t want to rent to people with criminal records. Having a domestic violence conviction could prevent you from renting a condo, trailer, or an apartment. It could even prevent you from residing in some section 8 housing developments.
Problems Getting Admitted to a School
Many Gainesville residents dream of getting accepted into the University of Florida. Yet, to have your application considered, you must disclose whether you’ve been convicted of a crime. If so, the reviewer will put your application into a separate pile, apart from the other applicants. This could prevent you from getting accepted and fulfilling your dreams.
Loss of a Professional License
A domestic violence charge or conviction can lead to the loss of a professional license. If you work in certain fields such as childcare, law enforcement, or real estate, you could lose your ability to make a living.
Domestic violence arrests and convictions are also ineligible for sealing or expungement, which means your criminal history will follow you when pursuing employment, housing, and other opportunities.
This all likely sounds frightening, but remember—an arrest is not a conviction. Meldon Law understands the severity of the charges you face, and our lawyers are ready to start preserving your future.
What Should I Do While Facing Domestic Violence Charges?
Here are some considerations if you’re facing domestic violence charges:
- Don’t communicate with the accuser. Even if you want to clear up a misunderstanding between you
and the other party, now is not the time. Any attempts at communication with the other party could complicate your case. - Don’t post anything about the incident online. You may want to post your side of the story online, hoping to clear the air about what really happened. Yet, this is not in your best interest. There’s a time and place to tell your
story––and that’s in court during depositions. - You have the right to consult with a lawyer. You may think that consulting a lawyer doubles as an admission of guilt. It doesn’t. As someone undergoing the criminal justice system, you have the right to have an advocate on your side.
Meldon Law has secured favorable outcomes for many defendants in positions like yours. If you’re facing criminal charges in Gainesville, don’t lose hope. Instead, entrust us with your case and look ahead to the future.
Our Gainesville Domestic Violence Lawyers Can Provide the Defense You Need
If you are facing charges, do not hesitate to call the Gainesville domestic violence attorneys at Meldon Law. We know the law and the defenses available to give you the best possible chance of retaining your freedom. Although being accused of domestic violence is serious, you don’t have to lay awake at night worrying about it. Our team is here to guide you through the criminal justice system and everything it entails.
Contact us today by calling (352) 373-8000.
