Domestic Violence Lawyer in West Palm Beach

Domestic violence charges are among the most difficult to face. You do not want your friends and family to think that you are capable of harming a family or household member, and you don’t want to worry about going to jail, paying a large fine, and losing your rights.

As much as you would Iike the charge to disappear, the prosecution is vigorously preparing a case against you. The state puts significant resources into prosecuting these cases, so you need an experienced attorney by your side to represent you and protect your rights.

Our West Palm Beach domestic violence lawyer is a sole practitioner, allowing him to give these cases the personal attention they deserve. Contact our firm today to set up a consultation.

What Is Domestic Violence?

If you have an altercation with a member of your family or household, you can face a domestic violence charge. According to the law, family and household members include:

  • Your current spouse
  • Your former spouse
  • Your relatives by marriage and blood
  • People you previously or currently lived with as a family
  • Your child’s other parent

Is Domestic Violence Charged As A Misdemeanor Or Felony?

Domestic violence is an umbrella term that contains various criminal offenses committed against members of a family or household. Some, such as assault, are charged as misdemeanors. The state classifies other offenses, including aggravated assault and kidnapping, as felonies.

First, it is important to understand that both misdemeanors and felonies include serious penalties. Additionally, a conviction will remain on your record and can impact the penalties if convicted of another offense down the road.

While the charges are serious, you do have legal options. You can explore those options by consulting with a West Palm Beach domestic violence defense attorney.

What Happens After An Arrest For Domestic Violence?

In many cases, people can bond out immediately after an arrest, but that is not true when charged with domestic violence. Instead of the normal pre-trial release, you will be detained until your first appearance, which must occur within 24 hours of the arrest. The prosecutor will evaluate your history leading up to the hearing, looking for prior arrests for domestic and non-domestic offenses. Your West Palm Beach domestic violence lawyer will also use the time to prepare a case that advocates for reasonable bail.

After the hearing concludes, you will go back to jail until you post bond. Keep in mind that it can take hours to process the bond and get released. Once released, you will need to follow the conditions, which might include a no-contact order and wearing an electronic monitoring device.

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WHY CHOOSE RONALD S. CHAPMAN, P.A.?

Investigate the prosecutor’s case against you.
Speak with your witnesses.
Present legal motions to the judge.
Investigate your defenses.
Represent you at your trial.
Try to get the best possible result for you.
  • Over 34 Years of Experience – Ronald S. Chapman has represented clients facing both state and federal charges since 1990, and he has had more than 200 trials.
  • Numerous 5-star Reviews – Our West Palm Beach law firm has accumulated five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, Lawyers.com, Avvo, and other sites.
  • Sole Practitioner– As a sole practitioner, Ronald S. Chapman works directly with each client he serves instead of handing them off to staff members.
  • Represents Clients in State and Federal Court – While some West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers handle only state charges or federal charges, Ronald S. Chapman handles both types of charges ranging from state-level assault charges to federal-level drug trafficking and white-collar crimes.
  • Bilingual Legal Services – Ronald S. Chapman provides legal services in English and Spanish, so you won’t have any trouble communicating with him.

Protective Orders

If you have been accused of domestic violence, the alleged victim might get a protective order against you. This is true, even if you have yet to have your day in court. First, the person can submit a petition to get a temporary order. If granted, the judge will then set a hearing to determine if there is a need for a permanent order. The judge can impose additional restrictions, such as prohibiting you from drinking alcohol or possessing a firearm. Your domestic violence defense lawyer in West Palm Beach will advocate for the order to have as few restrictions as possible.

Enhanced Charges

Because Florida takes domestic violence cases so seriously, it increases the classification for people with criminal records. For instance, domestic violence battery is a first-degree misdemeanor in most cases. However, if you were previously convicted of battery, felony battery, or aggravated battery, the state will enhance the offense to a third-degree felony, which carries much steeper penalties. This example illustrates how a criminal record can follow you for the rest of your life. Thus, it is vital to defend yourself against charges, whether this is your first offense or you have an existing record. It is hard to mount a defense on your own, so reach out to our West Palm Beach domestic violence defense attorney today.

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Real Clients, Real Testimonials

My name is Ana C. and as many Latinos, I was taken to Court for something that did not happen. At that moment I felt powerless to have the strength of defending myself from the psychological abuse which I was subjected to, but thank God I was recommended to Attorney Ron Chapman who reached an agreement to represent me. He immediately gave me confidence that he could help me without any problem for this unfortunate situation so my case was processed in Court having the satisfaction that Attorney Chapman and his Assistant Elizabeth with his knowledge and ability managed to win the case. Therefore I am very glad that I hired him.
Sincerely Ana C.

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Since 1990, Mr. Chapman has been representing people who have been accused of committing various types of crimes such as DUI, domestic violence, possession of a firearm, drug possession, expungement, traffic crimes, murder, manslaughter, crimes against children, sex crimes, crimes against the elderly, appeals, and violations of probation.
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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