Fort Lauderdale Criminal Attorney Blog
When it comes to Fort Lauderdale domestic violence offenses, there is not a single charge that encompasses all. Domestic violence incidents are not a monolith. Neither are the potential criminal charges they carry. As a longtime Broward domestic violence defense lawyer, I can explain in a bit more detail the different types of Florida domestic violence charges, and when they cross the line from misdemeanor into felony territory. 
Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony
Felonies and misdemeanors are two classifications of crimes that differ in severity, procedure, and punishment.
In general, misdemeanors are less serious (but that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious or worth the investment of a vigorous defense). It carries a maximum incarceration of one year, to be served at a city or county jail. You may have heard that you are entitled to a defense lawyer if you cannot afford one, but that is not true in Florida unless you are facing the possibility of incarceration. But jail time isn’t the only penalty that matters – particularly when we’re talking about a domestic violence conviction. You could lose your right to own a firearm, be excluded from certain employment and housing opportunities, and have the permanent stain of a violent crime on your record.
Felony offenses are considered more serious. They involve the potential for more than one year of incarceration, to be served at a state prison. That doesn’t mean you absolutely will be sentenced to a year or more, but the possibility is there, particularly with crimes of violence. Additionally, felony convictions may permanently bar you from ever owning a gun, voting, job and housing opportunities, some federal assistance programs, and more.
If the offense, misdemeanor or felony, involved an element of sexual violence, those convicted may have post-incarceration and post-probation/parole requirements, such as registering their residence with the government – information that will be available to the public.
