If you ask the typical Orlando-area police officer what scenario they fear most while on-duty, their answer probably will not be “taking down a drug dealer” or responding to a mass shooting. Instead, the officer may tell you their greatest fear is responding to a domestic violence call. And with good reason: According to the FBI, 136 police officers...
Continue ReadingMany relationships are based on love and trust. The two parties involved respect each other enough to not physically or emotionally hurt one another. They do not forcefully push, shove or hit each other, and they do not use or threaten any other type of violence. Some relationships, however, become violent. While men are often the ones accused of...
Continue ReadingWe all understand that domestic violence is a serious problem in Florida. Indeed, many of us personally know someone who has been affected by acts of domestic abuse or violence. But beyond the individual victims, what does domestic abuse look like in the aggregate? The Global Problem of Intimate Partner Violence The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Continue ReadingDomestic violence and abuse take many forms. Indeed, there are many cases where a person is the victim of serious abuse but lacks awareness of their own situation. In these situations, victims may dismiss abusive conduct as normal behavior by a partner or even blame themselves for somehow triggering the abuse. It is critical to understand the various forms...
Continue ReadingDomestic violence is a complex issue. Many victims are afraid to come forward because they fear being judged. And many first responders train to render assistance, such as firefighters and paramedics, may not be properly trained to identify and properly deal with potential domestic violence situations. Orlando Joins Other Local Governments in Protecting Firefighters, EMTs It is important to...
Continue ReadingDawn Meikle, aged 55, was arrested in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after law enforcement officials report she got in a physical confrontation with her husband for cutting the cheese in bed. Meikle’s husband alleged that she eventually kicked him out of bed and began another round of elbowing and kicking. Meikle’s husband attempted to restrain her “for his own...
Continue ReadingTwo sisters were found dead in a house in Orlando recently. Although no one has been charged, the police have suggested that the double homicide was a result of a domestic incident. One woman’s boyfriend was questioned and is considered a person of interest. Although there were no immediate arrests for the shooting of the women, the police used...
Continue ReadingOctober 1, 2015 was a day for many changes to criminal law in the State of Florida. Florida Governor Rick Scott signed 27 new laws including one that clarifies the “no contact” order that is imposed on a person accused of domestic violence. The updated domestic violence law clarifies that when a judge orders a person convicted of domestic...
Continue ReadingDomestic violence charges are serious offenses regardless of the context. A charge that involves the presence of children may threaten your future relationship with those children if you are ultimately convicted. Even if the actual physical violence was directed solely upon the adult members of the household, child abuse and neglect charges often may accompany these allegations and can...
Continue ReadingProposed Changes in Florida Domestic Violence Law Florida, like most states, takes domestic violence allegations very seriously. On the low end, a person convicted of domestic violence charges is facing one year of probation, fines and a required 26 week Battery Intervention Counseling; at the high end that person is facing felony charges and long terms of imprisonment. Family...
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