Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
As a criminal defense lawyer, I often defend charges of domestic battery. Typically, I receive a call from either the person arrested in a domestic battery case or the alleged victim calling on behalf of the person arrested, usually her boyfriend, who is in jail. If it’s the latter, they usually inform me they would like to have the case dropped. Unfortunately, many times the State will proceed with the prosecution regardless of the alleged victim’s desires.
Many domestic battery cases result in misdemeanor charges where the range of penalties include up to one year in the county jail. Some domestic battery situations, however, result in felony charges. This article will discuss the four most common felonies I typically encounter while representing people involved in a domestic dispute.
The first of these charges is felony battery. Felony battery is defined by Florida Statute section 784.041(1) as intentionally touching or striking another person against their will which causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. The crime of Felony Battery is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. Continue reading