Florida Criminal Attorney Blog
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was sentenced to 90 days in jail Wednesday after pleading guilty to domestic violence battery charges and harassment stemming from an alleged altercation between him and his ex-girlfriend in September 2010.
He will report to jail to start serving his sentence on Jan. 6.
The reduced plea deal will allow Mayweather to avoid a trial on felony allegations that he struck his ex-girlfriend and threatened two of their children at his ex’s Las Vegas home.
The judge ordered Mayweather to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine.
Mayweather may have pleaded guilty to the charges to end the uncertainty surrounding his criminal case so that promoters could finalize the plans for a super-fight next year between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Now that the case has been resolved, promoters have mentioned a likely date for the mega-brawl between the two boxers to take place in June.
Domestic violence cases can be quite complex and are usually prosecuted aggressively by the State. When law enforcement is called to the scene of a domestic dispute, they are often urged to make an arrest in an attempt to diffuse the situation. Even though it is not always clear who the at-fault party is in a domestic violence situation, police usually regard the first person to report the alleged incident as the victim. Due to the special laws that apply to domestic violence arrests, it is extremely important to consult with a Domestic Violence Attorney as early on as possible. There is usually evidence that needs to be obtained quickly, including photographs, telephone records and any potential witness statements.
Most people tend to think that domestic violence arrests are limited to disputes between spouses or partners, but domestic violence extends to include any criminal offense committed by one family member against another. Domestic violence covers a wide range of criminal offenses including:
• Kidnapping
• Sexual Battery
• Stalking
• Child Abuse
Domestic violence charges can be filed as misdemeanors or felonies, and the filing decision is made exclusively by the prosecutor and is based on facts unique to the case. A misdemeanor or felony conviction for domestic violence can include jail time, counseling, community service, fines and a stay-away order from the victim.
It is important to understand that if any type of assault or battery is apparent, police will typically make a domestic violence arrest. Even if there are no noticeable injuries, prosecutors with the State Attorney’s Office will not necessarily drop charges due to a victim’s request. While prosecutors can pursue domestic violence charges with or without the supposed victim’s cooperation, this does not always mean charges will be filed. Early intervention by an experienced Florida Domestic Violence Attorney may persuade the prosecutor to decline filing formal charges against you. There are a variety of factors that may make a difference in your case, and the Florida Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can discuss your potential options.
If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with Domestic Violence anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call us statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).