Spousal abuse is one of those crimes where public opinion can convict you long before you see the inside of a real courtroom. Law enforcement officers are encouraged by law to make an arrest in any domestic disturbance, often arresting the accused based on gender or the other person's unproven story. After an arrest, a restraining order can follow very quickly, often without notice to the accused, keeping the accused away from home, children and possessions. And friends, neighbors and co-workers can be quick to judge someone arrested for spousal abuse, even before the facts are in.

If you're accused of spousal abuse, you should contact a Miami-Dade spousal abuse criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. In addition to the social repercussions and no-contact order, spousal abuse carries severe criminal penalties. If you're convicted of domestic violence, you face a mandatory minimum of five days in jail, a year of domestic violence classes and an indefinite order keeping you away from your home and family. That's in addition to the penalty for the underlying crime (such as assault, battery, sex crimes or stalking). And Florida law allows a domestic violence prosecution even if the alleged victim doesn't want a prosecution and won't cooperate.

Balliro represents men and women throughout South Florida who are accused of spousal abuse and domestic violence. Our Fort Lauderdale spousal abuse attorneys handle charges arising from a new domestic violence arrest as well as charges of violating a protective order and defense against an application for a restraining order. Remember, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty in this country -- and law enforcement's accuser-friendly domestic violence policies mean we can usually find several ways to prove your innocence. Our West Palm Beach spousal abuse lawyers will look closely at the facts and your arrest record to find holes in the prosecution's case, violations of your rights and other reasons the charges should be dismissed, reduced or penalized lightly. If you'd rather plead guilty to a one-time mistake, we will work to get you a fair and lenient sentence that protects your job and your loved ones.

Balliro has handled defense for hundreds of Floridians accused of serious crimes, including hundreds of jury trials. Unlike some Miami spousal abuse law firms, we are not afraid to go to trial; we will never plea bargain unless we truly feel it's in our clients' best interests. Because we know legal emergencies don't just happen from 9 to 5, we also make ourselves available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Based in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, we have multiple offices stretching from Miami-Dade to West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale. And our South Florida spousal abuse defense attorneys offer free, confidential consultations to all potential clients. To set one up -- anytime -- you can call us toll-free at 1-866-ARRESTED or contact us via email.