What does it mean to be arrested for domestic violence?  What are the penalties?  If you are a victim where can you find help?

According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, “domestic violence is a pattern of abuse that adults use to maintain power and control over their intimate partners, or former partners.”

A variety of tactics can be used including:

• Emotional abuse

• Physical abuse

• Sexual abuse/violence

• Economic abuse

• Threats such as threats to harm you, children, or pets

What is domestic violence?

According to Florida Statute 741.28, domestic violence “means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.”

Domestic violence can happen to anyone. It occurs within every type of family and relationship. Domestic violence occurs with all ages, all races, all economic levels, all education levels, and all religions.

Domestic violence also covers a wide range of crimes. Because domestic violence crimes vary, the penalties for domestic violence will also vary. The penalties will be based upon the crime committed, if the defendant has any prior offenses, or if there were any children present when the crime was committed.

Because the domestic violence law is so broad in Florida, the penalties and charges, misdemeanor or felony, will vary. Potential penalties for domestic violence include jail time, fines, the defendant may be required to participate in counseling, restraining orders could be issued which would prohibit the defendant from having contact with his/her victim, the defendant could lose privileges such as having a concealed weapon permit revoked or lose the right to own, possess or use a firearm.

Being convicted of domestic violence goes on your record. This could prevent you from obtaining employment in some fields.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, please get help. Victims of domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day at 800-799-7233. Victims in Central Florida can contact the Harbor House, a 24-hour confidential crisis hotline, at 407-886-2856.

If you are facing charges of domestic violence and need a bail bond agency, please give us a call at 407-841-3646. We have been serving Central Florida since 1979. You can rely on us to guide you through the ins and outs of the bail bond process. We are here to help. A bail bond agent is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year. If you need a bail bond agency, please contact us at 407-841-3646.  For more information on what is domestic violence, click here.