I got charged with domestic battery and I didn’t do it

Sarasota Criminal Defense Lawyer
Peter D Aiken

Other than a DUI, an arrest for a domestic battery is one of the most common charges.

Many times this arrest is the result of drinking. People who normally get along fine may find themselves in the middle of an argument that gets out of hand. A neighbor or relative calls 911, and before you know it, police are knocking at the door. Sadly, if a deputy sheriff or uniformed police officer is dispatched, chances are somebody is going to be taken to jail. People think that the police will simply come out and calm things down but that is not what happens. Many times the police will find some excuse to take one of the parties away. They are afraid that if they leave without arresting someone, the argument may get violent after they leave.

An arrest for simple battery can wreck a family.

The Court will enter a no contact order and often the bread winner is forced to move out of the house. Most families cannot afford to maintain two houses or apartments and the extra cost sets the family back for months. There are cases where a woman is subjected to repeat violence, but most of the time, the situation is an isolated occurrence. Sometimes, a call to 911 is made because a family member is acting bizarre. It may be a medical condition, a reaction to medication, suicidal thoughts or some other cause like a bi-polar condition. Diabetes (low blood sugar) can cause a person to be aggressive and belligerent and often the police do not recognize the medical issue and simply make an arrest. There have been reported cases of people reacting to Ambien is bizarre ways and getting arrested. The 911 call should only be made if the situation is serious and someone is likely to get hurt or injured. I have even seen cases where kids get their parents arrested for battery out of spite.

If a battery results in serious injury or some type of weapon is used, the charge can be increased to “aggravated battery”, a second degree felony.

Many times the person charged is not the person who started the fight and self defense may be an issue. Road rage can also result in a battery or aggravated battery charge. Keep you cool on the road and do not let something silly or unimportant provoke you into doing something stupid. As a criminal defense lawyer, my goal is to help the family heal and get through the process at the least cost and inconvenience. If you want to talk, call 941 366 3506 for a free consultation

Heroin use can cost you your child!

Peter D Aiken Criminal Defense Attorney 941 366 3506
Peter D Aiken
Criminal Defense Attorney
941 366 3506

If you are addicted to opiates like Oxycontin, Oxycodone or Heroin and have small children, you are at great risk of having them taken away by DCF.

Recently, here in Sarasota a woman was found overdosed on heroin in the bathroom of a Wawa convenience store. Her four year old child was with her. Fortunately, prompt police action saved her life but now she has been charged with child neglect. I had another case recently where a mother overdosed and died in the bath tub after using heroin with her infant child steps away. There is a bad batch of heroin in the Sarasota Manatee area. It is laced with another drug and people are dropping like flies and dying from overdoses.

If you are a “user”, you need to get help before it is too late.

If you end up killing yourself with an overdose, you child will be left an orphan and you will have destroyed a life. Most of the heroin users here in Sarasota are former pill users who have switched to the cheaper and easier to get Mexican brown heroin. The problem is that most of the heroin on the street now is laced with other powerful drugs that will absolutely kill you.
If you have been arrested for heroin possession or morphine possession, you need legal help as well as medical help. Drug addiction is a sickness that causes you to come into contact with the legal system.

As a Sarasota and Bradenton criminal defense lawyer, my job is to get you help. You need help in the Courts and you need help with your addiction. I realize that you may be in denial of you dependency but the simple fact is, you have to get help. Drug Court is a great option here in Sarasota and it has a great success rate. You can get help. Life is not hopeless.
Do not end up being another overdose statistic…Call me at 941 366 3506 for help