Jacksonville Criminal Attorney Blog

When you are convicted of Domestic Battery in Jacksonville, you will be sentenced to attend Salvation Army's Batterers Intervention Program. (also referred to as BIP) This is a 26 week course. You must pay for and complete an Assessment. You then must then pay for and attend an Orientation. After these are completed, you have to attend and pay for weekly sessions and complete homework assignments. You can be thrown out of the program at any time at the discretion of the facilitator.

This program is designed for men who are arrested for Domestic Battery and is focused toward accountability, but how effective has it been in stopping domestic violence in Jacksonville?

The Salvation Army has the contract in Jacksonville to conduct the program and 100% of its attendance is referred from the criminal justice system. (men arrested for Domestic Battery) With all the money invested in this program in Jacksonville and the significant criminal consequences if these men are kicked out of the program, there are many questions that should be answered by Salvation Army:

How many men successfully complete BIP compared to the total amount assigned to the program?

How many men are kicked out of the program yearly?

How many men are kicked out of the program for not being able to pay the costs?

How many men are arrested for Domestic Battery after completing the program?

Are men evaluated to see if they can read the homework they are given before they are thrown out of the program?

How many times do the men attend a class, but do not get credit for it?

If you have any questions about Domestic Battery or Domestic Battery probation, please call our experienced Jacksonville criminal defense attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Posted by Mussallem & Forbess | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Domestic Battery - Domestic Violence

Bookmark:

Domestic Battery is one of the easiest crimes to get arrested for in Jacksonville. The police are called out to a "dispute" and when they arrive, they talk to the parties involved and any witnesses to the "battery". More times than not, the police arrest the person who did NOT call the police. Even if there is no injury on anyone involved, someone is going to jail.

In order to be considered a domestic battery in Florida, there are certain requirements that must be met.

1. The alleged victim has to be a family or household member. That includes spouses, current or former, people related by blood or marriage, people who have resided with you presently or in the past, or someone who has a child with you.

2. For it to qualify as a battery, you have to intentionally touch someone against their will or intentionally hurt someone.

If you are convicted of Domestic Battery, there are certain minimum penalties in the State of Florida.

1. You will be placed on 12 months probation to complete "special" conditions.

2. You will have to complete a batterers' intervention program as a condition of your probation. This is a 26 week class that you have to attend weekly. It is expensive and many
people find it difficult to complete because if you do not tell the administrator everything they want to hear, they can throw you out at their discretion.

2. There is a $592.00 mandatory fine and if it is not paid in a timely manner, your probation can be violated and you could be re-arrested.

3. The Duval County judge in your case may also restrict your contact with the alleged victim.

If you have any questions about your Jacksonville Domestic Battery charge, call our experienced Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Posted by Mussallem & Forbess | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Domestic Battery - Domestic Violence

Bookmark: