Battery Charges: Battery is defined as an intentional unpermitted act that causes harmful or offensive contact to another person. There are three kinds of battery: simple, felony, and aggravated. Simple battery is charged when the perpetrator deliberately touches or strikes another individual against their will and/or intentionally causes bodily injury to another. Simple battery is a first-degree misdemeanor. Consequences of simple battery are up to 1 year in jail, 1 year probation and/or a maximum fine of $1,000. Felony battery is more serious, and committed when an individual intentionally touches or strikes another individual against their will and causes great bodily injury, permanent disfigurement or permanent disability. The difference between misdemeanor and felony battery is the amount of harm inflicted on another person. No injury is necessary to commit simple battery’ however, significant bodily harm must occur for felony battery to be charged. The most serious battery charge is aggravated battery. The conditions of felony battery must be met, and in addition, the use of a deadly weapon is used in the committing of the crime, and/or the battery occurs against a person known to be pregnant.
Domestic Violence Charges: Spousal abuse and domestic violence can often include charges of battery, assault, kidnapping, child abuse and reckless endangerment. Additional crimes often associated with such family violence include restraining order violations, sexual assault, stalking and spousal rape. Often these cases result in injunctions.
The following are potential consequences if you are charged with assault, battery, domestic violence or spousal abuse in the state of Florida: Mandatory counseling, mandatory jail time, no contact with victims such as your spouse or children, court fees and fines, community service, classes such as anger management, mandatory incarceration for convictions, restraining orders, an inability to return to your residence.