Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

Domestic Violence Near Me – No Courtroom is too far in Florida 866-608-5529

Handling Domestic Violence in Criminal and Family Courts Statewide

Tampa, Ocala, Clearwater, Gainesville, Orlando, Brooksville, Spring Hill

Domestic violence charges involve crimes that involve the abuse of a spouse, family member, or other household member. Being convicted of a domestic violence offense in Florida can significantly impact your life in every aspect, including your relationships with friends and family members, your reputation, and most importantly, your freedom. If you have been accused of or charged with domestic violence, our Florida Domestic Violence Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to help you navigate the criminal justice system.

In Florida, domestic violence generally means that a person has been charged with committing a violent act against someone they have or had a relationship with — be it a family member, boyfriend or girlfriend, or husband or wife. Domestic violence encompasses charges of stalking, harassment or abuse. Domestic violence cases can be complicated because in many situations law enforcement are required to make an arrest whenever a domestic call is made, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the call to police or who was at fault. Domestic violence is a sensitive topic that carries social consequences in addition to possible legal ramifications.

Domestic violence charges span all economic bounds as these charges span all classes, races, and at every level of income and education. Domestic violence can include any of the following actions:

• Physical abuse, such as shoving, strangulation, pushing or hitting
• Sexual abuse, including rape, incest, elder abuse or any unwanted sexual contact
• Harassment, including repeatedly showing up at someone’s home or workplace unannounced, repeated phone calls, and stalking
• Emotional abuse, such as intimidation, threats, humiliation, isolation from friends and family or any other controlling behaviors

Domestic violence can involve former domestic partners, ex-boyfriends or girlfriends, or even caretakers of a disabled person. These cases are tricky as the person accused does not need to be living in your household in order to be charged with domestic violence.

How Our Florida Domestic Violence Attorneys can Help

Bushnell, The Villages, Inverness, New Port Richey, Orlando, West Palm Beach

When you are charged with a domestic violence offense in Florida, it is your attorney’s job to dig up what really happened and identify who, if anyone, was at fault. These cases are notorious for having false or exaggerated reports of assault made by ex-lover’s or other household members. Regardless of whether or not this is the case, our experienced Florida Domestic Violence Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will hear your side of the story and fight to achieve the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Child Abuse Defense Lawyers Near Me – Call Us Today 866-608-5529

We handle Serious Child Abuse Charges all over Florida – Miami, Tampa, Ocala, Gainesville

Florida Child Abuse charges (Florida Statute § 827.03) stem from allegations of abuse (either physical or emotional) of a child, usually by family members, caretakers or friends. The age of the abused child, the extent of the child’s injuries, or whether there was physical harm or allegations of emotional abuse determine whether this crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. In addition, charges of child abuse can be brought against someone if their actions resulted in physical injury despite the fact that at the time, it was unlikely their actions would harm the child.

Child abuse is defined by the State as intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child, an intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child or active encouragement of any person to commit an act that results or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child.

The term child abuse can cover charges ranging from intentionally striking a child to failing to move a hot pot of the stove that a child is near. Over the past several years, there has been an increase in the number of child abuse charges that are based on emotional abuse. Emotional abuse can be quite difficult to prove, and it can be hard to tell the difference between any emotional abuse that actually happened or a story created by a parent who coached a child to say emotional abuse occurred.

If you are accused of child abuse, you need legal help right away. These cases are often put at the top of the list in the criminal justice system because they involve a child, so you need to act fast. The courts want these outstanding matters resolved as soon as possible. Our Florida Child Abuse Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you expedite the process while keeping your best interests in mind.

False Accusations of Child Abuse

False allegations of child abuse are quite common. These accusations can ruin your reputation and jeopardize your freedom. By working with our Florida Child Abuse Lawyers at Whittel & Melton, we can help you prove the allegations against you are entireley false. Many child abuse accusations are made by parents that are going through a hotly contested divorce or custody battle. Some parents try to get the upper hand by claiming the other parent abused the child. It is not uncommon for grandparents who are trying to gain custody of a child or children to play this card as a way to make the parents seem unfit.

If you are being falsely accused of child abuse, the best way to attack these false charges is to build a powerful counter-attack. We can help expose your accuser by establishing their credibility to show why they have a reason to make a false allegation. We want to help clear your name and get your life back to some sort of normalcy as quickly as possible.

Contact Us for Help With Your Domestic Violence or Child Abuse Charges

If you have been charged with Domestic Violence or Child Abuse, do not speak to anyone who may seem to be acting in your best interest including social workers, law enforcement officers or representatives from Children & Family Services. These people, while appearing friendly, may actually be gathering evidence against you. You should speak to a lawyer before speaking to anyone about the circumstances surrounding your case. These cases are obviously emotionally charged and require the impartial perspective of an attorney. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, LLC have represented many clients charged with Child Abuse or Domestic Violence. Please contact us today to ensure that your legal rights are not being compromised.