Orlando Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Panella Law Firm Accepts Cases Throughout Florida

Recent statistics show that over 108,000 domestic abuse cases are reported to Florida police each year. In Florida, the legal system moves swiftly to investigate and prosecute domestic violence allegations.

A conviction can carry significant criminal penalties, including jail time and fines. It can negatively affect parental rights and shared property in a divorce situation.

Courts in Florida will not take domestic violence assault charges lightly, so having a solid legal team is essential to clearing your name and protecting your reputation. If you are charged with a domestic violence offense in Florida, a domestic violence defense lawyer at Panella Law Firm can help fight the charges and protect your rights.

Contact Our Domestic Violence Attorneys Today!

Why Choose Us?

Nobody deserves to be a victim of domestic violence, battery, or abuse any more than someone deserves to be wrongfully convicted. If you require legal assistance in Florida, go no further than Panella Law Firm.

Panella Law Firm is an assertive and aggressive criminal defense firm that believes in justice and a defendant’s right to a fair trial. Our domestic violence criminal defense lawyers are committed to preserving your freedom, asserting your rights, and working toward resolving your case.

Success stories are plentiful for the attorneys at Panella Law Firm, who offer sympathetic and perceptive service to our clientele. We do everything possible to put our clients at ease and address their concerns.

Among the many awards we have won, some of the most notable are as follows:

• Attorney Michael Panella has been awarded the 2017-2020 Client Choice Award.
• In 2019–2022, Michael Panella was selected to be included in Super Lawyers.
• Attorney Michael Panella is a top-rated lawyer, as seen by his perfect 10.0 Avvo rating.
• Attorney Michael Panella was named by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the 40 under 40 in the legal profession.

Our clients benefit from the collaborative efforts of Huda Saleh and the other attorneys at our firm because they can use the many different views and areas of experience represented within the firm to craft unique and effective solutions for each case.

What Is Considered Domestic Violence in Florida?

It is a common misconception that domestic violence only occurs between partners in a marriage; however, the description of domestic violence in Florida is considerably broader.

Under Fla. Stat. 741.28– 741.31, domestic violence is defined as violence committed by a family or household member against another family or household member, including:

• Current or former spouses
• Persons related by blood or marriage
• Persons currently or formerly residing together
• Parents who have a child in common.

Those in the Florida region who have experienced domestic violence and would like to take precautions against further abuse should speak with one of our domestic violence attorneys.

Some specific acts qualify as domestic violence, and our lawyers can defend you against all of them. These include:

• Assault and aggravated assault
• Battery and aggravated battery
• Sexual assault and sexual battery
• Stalking and aggravated stalking
• Kidnapping.

When you face serious charges that can affect the rest of your life, you need an experienced Orlando domestic violence defense lawyer in your corner. The professional team at Panella Law Firm can give you the best defense possible.

How Our Lawyers Help with A Domestic Violence Charge

A multi-pronged strategy is typically employed while developing a successful defense. Conversely, domestic violence accusations in Florida are frequently brought with little proof.

Ultimately, it boils down to two parties’ words against one other. Never take a plea deal until you have spoken with a domestic violence attorney who can advise you of your rights and options.

Defenses A Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer May Use

The defenses our domestic violence defense lawyers use depend on the circumstances of your individual situation, the acts you are accused of, the available evidence, the injuries that resulted, and the specific charges against you. For example, a threat of doing physical harm might be an assault charge, but if there was actual physical contact or injury, the charge might become a battery charge.

With certain aggravating factors, the charge may become aggravated assault or aggravated battery, felonies with more severe punishment. Any of these charges are serious, and our domestic violence defense attorneys, including a skilled battery defense attorney at Panella Law Firm, know how to mount a strong defense against each one.

Common defenses for typical domestic battery charges include:

• Disputing the facts about the way the victim claims the incident happened
• Showing a lack of injuries and lack of corroborating evidence
• Claiming self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property
• Showing that the victim was being vindictive
• Showing there was a consensual or mutual confrontation or combat
• Stand your ground defenses.

How Our Domestic Violence Lawyers Step in to Help after You’re Charged

Once you call the Panella Law Firm, we can start fighting these charges from the beginning to get them dropped, amended, or diverted. Our domestic violence attorneys in Orlando can help by:

• Keeping you from making mistakes such as incriminating yourself or accepting boilerplate offers
• Making early contact with the prosecution to get information. This shows that you have an attorney to advocate for your cause and allows us to determine what factual defenses, legal issues, and mitigating circumstances may be used to keep the State from proceeding with charges.
• Contacting the victim. We may convince the victim not to pursue the charge against you and request that the charges be dropped. To decline prosecution, victims must generally complete a drop-charge affidavit, complete a course, or meet with a domestic violence advocate. The prosecutor would still be the one to determine whether or not to prosecute.
• Addressing the ‘No-Contact’ Order. If the victim does not wish to pursue charges, we will seek to modify any no-contact orders by filing a motion to alter the conditions of release. This allows you to resume contact with the victim and shows the prosecution the victim wants the case dropped.
• Getting you to help voluntarily. If you and the victim voluntarily enroll in counseling programs, it can help show the prosecutor you are responsible and increase the chances of resolution without proceeding to trial.
• Making pretrial motions. Pretrial motions such as Stand Your Ground or Motion for a Court Ruling can show weakness in the prosecutor’s case and may assist negotiations and prevent further litigation.
• Taking your case to trial. Our domestic violence defense lawyers are fully prepared to fight for your rights in court if necessary. Sometimes showing that we are willing to take the case to trial encourages resolution.

Call Panella Law Firm for an aggressive, skilled defense today at 407-233-1822, and we will start working for you.

How Does A Domestic Violence Charge Affect You? Punishments and Consequences

Just being charged with domestic violence in Florida can have significant damaging consequences. Charges cannot be expunged from your record, and even if you were acquitted, they would remain on your criminal record forever.

Penalties for A Domestic Violence Charge in Florida

If you are convicted of domestic violence, possible penalties include five days served in county jail, Florida state prison, or a minimum of one-year probation or community service. You must complete a Batterers Intervention Program of between 26 and 29 weeks.

Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Offenses

These sentences range from a maximum of sixty days to one year. First-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Second-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.

Felony Domestic Violence Charges

Punishments for felony domestic violence offenses are as follows:

• A third-degree felony conviction may result in imprisonment for up to five years.
• A second-degree felony can bring imprisonment for up to fifteen years.
• A conviction for first-degree felonies that are not capital or life offenses brings up to 30 years in prison.
• Fines for felony convictions can be as high as $15,000.

Call Our Orlando Domestic Violence Attorneys

A conviction for a domestic violence offense in Florida can carry significant criminal penalties and fines, so don’t go it alone. We handle various domestic violence and criminal defense cases at Panella Law Firm. We can provide guidance and fight for your rights and freedom whether you are a first-time or a repeat offender.

If you are facing a first-time charge or a repeat offense, an experienced Orlando domestic violence lawyer at Panella Law Firm can offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your case and determine the best way to move forward. Call us today at 407-233-1822 to get started.