In Deltona this past week, an elderly couple got into it over how to load the dishwasher. Now, the 82-year old male suspect sits behind bars charged with battery by strangulation.
Although this article from CFNews13 doesn’t make it clear if the couple was living together, the fact that a protection order is in place leads me to suspect they may have been. You see, domestic violence applies to much more than just married couples.
For a crime to be considered a domestic violence case in Florida, the relationship could be that of spouses, roommates, blood relatives, or people who share a child. While there is no “domestic assault” crime on the books, different rules apply to domestic cases. Immediate arrest and a follow up protection order are two of the characteristics of a domestic case.
The 74 year old female victim in this case supposedly didn’t load the dishwasher like the accused aggressor wanted, which triggered a violent argument. The victim was treated for cuts on her legs, bruises on her arm, and redness on her neck where she was choked to the point of unconsciousness.
Assault cases often arise for minor reasons. Often the aggressor looks back and wonders what exactly they were thinking. This kind of anger is addressed in Batterer’s Intervention programs which are often mandatory for domestic violence cases in Florida.
When, however, the accused believes they have been wrongly accused of a crime, they should have an experienced attorney doing everything they can to represent their interests in the Florida court system.
If you are facing charges like these we understand what you are up against and the stress and frustration you are likely feeling. The only way we can help is if you call to talk about your case. The consultation is free and we may be able to tell you how you can improve your chances of a good outcome in court.