AD was in a lot of trouble when he came to meet with me about his case in Fort Walton Beach. He was charged with Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Victim and Domestic Battery by Strangulation. He was looking at a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 34 months in prison.
One possible defense with battery cases involving pregnant victims is that the State must prove that the offender knew the victim was pregnant. In this case, however, the victim was AD’s wife and she was eight months pregnant so we knew that wouldn’t be a valid defense.
Before coming in to meet with me, he had talked to a public defender and they told him that the best they could do for him was to accept the 34-month prison sentence.
Committing to Counseling Can Help a Plea Deal
With a baby on the way and a family that needed him at home and working, AD put his trust in me. I immediately told him to enroll himself in anger management classes along with alcohol counseling. I also met with the prosecutor to let them know that this family intended to stay together and work through their problems. I told the prosecutor that pleading guilty and going to prison was not an option for AD and that if the case wasn’t dismissed, we’d be setting it for trial.
About a week later, the State dismissed all charges against my client. He was able to reunite with his family and he promised to continue with the counseling that he needed.
If you have been charged with Aggravated Battery or Domestic Violence in Fort Walton Beach, I don’t know what the end result will be in your case. I do know, however, that I know what moves to make in order to give you the best possible chance at a favorable outcome.
If you have been charged with Aggravated Battery in Fort Walton Beach, and you are ready to put an experienced, professional defense attorney to work for you, call Flaherty & Merrifield right away at (850) 243-6097 and let’s get started on your defense.