Hassett & Associates, P.A.
Call 24/7 - (954) 791-3939 | Hablamos Español
Hassett & Associates, P.A.
Call 24/7 - (954) 791-3939 | Hablamos Español

Main Office:
6099 Stirling Road, Ste 217
Davie, FL 33314
954-791-3939

Broward Office:
1327 SE 2nd Ave.
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-760-9911

Miami Dade Office:
By Appointment Only
Miami, FL
305-567-1211

Fort Lauderdale Domestic Violence Lawyer

Experienced and Respected Criminal Defense

Call 24/7 – (954) 791-3939

Help from a Fort Lauderdale Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you are convicted of a crime of domestic violence in Fort Lauderdale, you will face at least five days in jail. Depending on the particular type or types of charges and your record, you could face a longer period of incarceration in prison. Convictions for crimes of domestic violence can also result in other penalties, including classes, community service, probation, the potential loss of your civil rights, and others. Fort Lauderdale domestic violence lawyer Kenneth P. Hassett, Esq. can review your case and help you understand the potential penalties and the best defense strategies to pursue.

Potential Penalties

Your potential penalties will depend on your charge and whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony offense. If you are charged with a misdemeanor domestic violence crime, you might face from 60 days up to one year in jail. However, if you are charged with second-degree felony domestic violence, you could face up to 15 years in prison. Domestic violence crimes also carry mandatory penalties in addition to jail or prison time. The judge might issue a no-contact order that could force you to move out of your shared home and not have any contact with the alleged victim. You might also be ordered to complete a domestic violence intervention and education program, serve a 12-month probationary sentence, and complete community service hours. You could also lose your right to carry a concealed firearm even if you have a concealed carry permit. If a restraining order is issued against you, you could face new charges if you violate it. A restraining order violation is a first-degree misdemeanor carrying a potential jail sentence of up to 12 months.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Under § 741.28, Fla. Stat. (2022), domestic violence is defined to include any of the following offenses that result in death or physical injury to a household member or family member of the defendant:

  • Assault/aggravated assault
  • Battery/aggravated battery
  • Sexual assault/sexual battery
  • Stalking/aggravated stalking
  • Kidnapping
  • False imprisonment
  • Any other offense that causes physical injury or death to a household or family member

Household and family members are defined as including people with the following relationships with the defendant:

  • Spouse/former spouse
  • Blood relatives
  • Relatives through marriage
  • People who are living together as a family or have done so in the past
  • Person who shares a child in common with the defendant

Other than people who share children in common with the defendant, household or family members must either currently live with the defendant or have done so in the past for a domestic violence charge to be supported.

Crimes of Domestic Violence

In addition to the crimes listed above, domestic violence offenses also include any crime that results in the death or injury of a household or family member. Some of the common types of crimes of domestic violence that might be charged include the following:

  • Domestic violence assault or battery
  • Domestic violence stalking
  • Domestic violence battery involving strangulation
  • Aggravated battery on a pregnant victim
  • Child abuse or neglect
  • Cyberstalking

Protection Orders

Alleged victims of domestic violence can ask the court for an order of protection against domestic violence. This involves a civil hearing that is separate from a criminal case. A protection order might be issued even when a criminal case has not been filed. In a protection order hearing, the burden of proof required is lower than in a criminal case. Alleged victims only have to prove their allegations by a preponderance of the evidence to obtain a restraining order.

If an order of protection is issued, it can carry the following consequences:

  • Loss of visitation or child custody
  • Having to move out of a shared home
  • Loss of the right to possess, own, or carry a firearm

Violating a domestic violence protection order can also be prosecuted as a separate crime that carries potential jail time and stiff fines.

Resources for Domestic Violence

There are multiple programs available to victims of domestic violence in Miami-Dade County through the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department, including two shelters, two transitional housing facilities, three outreach units, and the Coordinated Victims Assistance Center. The department can be reached at (786) 469-4600.

The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) is an association of the 42 domestic violence programs in Florida. This agency administers federal and state funds for domestic violence shelters and provides information on its website about the various programs and shelters overseen by FCADV.

Defending Against Charges of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence crimes often arise when family or household members are involved in disputes. If one of the parties or a third party calls the police, the officers will often arrest someone even when there might not be any evidence to support criminal charges.

Unfortunately, some people falsely accuse others of committing acts of domestic violence. This might occur when a person wants to get revenge or obtain the upper hand in a divorce or child custody case.

An experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer at Hassett & Associates will carefully review the facts and circumstances to identify the best defenses available. Attorney Kenneth Hassett has years of experience and will work to build the strongest possible defense case for you. Call us today to learn more at (954) 791-3939.

Contact a Domestic Violence Lawyer

Fill out this form to have your case reviewed by one of our attorneys.

Client Testimonials

  • Dear Mr. Hassett,

    There aren’t enough words to thank you for all your have done for us. From the beginning you didn’t sugar coat anything. You told us as it is. Thank you for your advice and suggestions which helped in the case and of course your experience , time and effort.

    Thank you.

    Marie and Diane
  • Best of the Best

    This being my first time arrested and going through the court system, I am thankful that I used Mr. Hassett. Charged with four third degree felony counts I was facing jail time. He kept me out of jail by getting me five years probation and after two and a half years, he was able to have my probation removed. I recommend people hire him because he is an excellent and honest attorney.

    Kim
    Google Review
  • Beyond belief
    Kenneth has done the impossible when it’s come to my case. Everything he said he would help me with, he’s gone above and beyond. Take and apply his advice and he will see it through you have a victory in your hands. Thanks again Ken you’ve helped me get my life back on track couldn’t have done it.

    Brian
  • Ken Hassett and his law firm are a pleasure to work with. He’s honest, clear in communication, dedicated, has great follow through, he’s friendly and professional. He helped our family to clear up a case involving our teen, he guided us from day one to our final day, resolving our situation satisfactorily. I would highly recommend Ken Hassett’s law firm and we would certainly retain him in the future if ever needed.

    Mrs. B.
  • An appreciative client
    Ken was extremely helpful to me regarding an issue involving my son in Florida. It was not possible for me to go to Florida at the time but Ken kept me posted along the way. I am very grateful for all his helpfulness and expertise. I would definitely recommend him to others.

  • Great experience
    Great and in-depth knowledge of all the situations, specially mine. Well informed and easily accessible for all sorts of clarifications during the entire process. 24/7 access and availability for recommendations and executions of steps that suit your need.

  • Too Good To Be True
    I used the services Kenneth Hassett & Associates for my legal proceedings and I was pleasantly surprized. I was obviously skeptical initially, but after speaking with Mr. Hassett, I felt comfortable, that i was in good hands. Everything that was said to me, materialized.
    You would not be disappointed.

Recent Domestic Violence Case Results

Charges: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Domestic Battery
County: Palm Beach
Facts: Client was accused of threatening someone with a box cutter while arguing over contract work
Results: Case Dismissed, Record Expunged

Charges: Aggravated Assault, Witness Tampering, and Battery
County: Broward
Facts: Alleged Threat to Kill Common Law Wife while Holding Machete Knife
Results: Case Dismissed

Charges: Assault, Battery, Domestic Battery
County: Miami-Dade
Facts: Client was allegedly in a fight with her lover, and Client allegedly slapped her lover in her face and told the police that her lover threw a shoe at her.
Results: Case Dismissed, Record Expunged

Charges: Battery
County: Miami-Dade
Facts: Alleged Domestic Battery
Results: Case Dismissed

Charges: Battery
County: Miami-Dade
Facts: Client allegedly scratched her live in boyfriend during an argument
Results: Case Dismissed, Record Expunged

Charges: Battery, Obstruction of Justice Without Violence
County: Broward
Facts: Client was Accused of Physical Spousal Abuse
Results: Case Dismissed

Kenneth P. Hassett, Esq. Awards & Ratings