What to Do if You're Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence in Florida

If you are falsely accused of domestic violence in Florida, remain silent, preserve digital evidence, avoid any contact with the accuser, and contact an attorney immediately. ## How the Dual Legal System Operates Defendants face two simultaneous battles: criminal charges and civil injunctions. Criminal courts decide jail time and records, while civil courts grant injunctions on a preponderance of the evidence, which can remove you from your home and restrict child access before any criminal trial. ## Why You Can't Talk to Your Accuser Once police intervene, the State of Florida prosecutes and the accuser cannot simply drop the case. Any contact can violate a protective order and hand prosecutors an easy violation. Build your defense through outside evidence instead. ## Immediate Actions to Protect Yourself 1. Remain silent; recorded jail calls become evidence. 2. Preserve texts, emails, and GPS logs before they are deleted. 3. Retain experienced counsel, such as the former prosecutors at Shrader Mendez, before charging decisions are finalized.