While men are more likely than women to be charged with domestic violence, hundreds of women in Florida and around the country are charged with domestic violence each year. The accusations can include physical violence as well as threats and insults. If a judge finds a woman guilty of domestic violence, she could be dealing with the consequences for the rest of her life.
What are some examples of domestic violence?
When most people think of domestic violence, they imagine physical attacks like pushing, slapping or assaulting someone. Women can be charged with physical assault, but the law also files excessive insulting and berating under domestic abuse. A person could also accuse a woman of threatening to harm them or their loved ones, trying to control every aspect of their life or isolating them from friends.
Many people are quick to dismiss domestic violence against men, thinking that a woman couldn’t pose a physical threat against a man. Because of this, domestic violence against men frequently goes unreported. Some men also mistakenly believe that the law doesn’t protect them from domestic abuse. In fact, men and women face the same penalties if they’re convicted of domestic violence.
Regardless of your gender, a domestic violence accusation could destroy your reputation and cause you to lose custody of your children. You might also have to take time off work to fight the charges. When someone accuses you of domestic violence, you’ll need to hire a criminal defense attorney to help you defend yourself in court.
Has someone accused you of domestic abuse?
If someone accuses you of domestic abuse, confronting the person might make the situation worse. Instead, you should contact an attorney and not say anything to the other party unless your attorney advises you to do so. Otherwise, you might end up incriminating yourself.
An attorney may be able to build a defense that shows the judge why the accusations against you are false. If the other party files a restraining order, your attorney may help you protect your rights and ensure that the lawsuit doesn’t affect your divorce, child custody battle or other legal matters.