Domestic violence is a despicable crime but occurs far too frequently. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “on average, 20 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over a year.”

If you are a victim of domestic violence, know that you are not alone and there is help available. Contact Glenn R. Roderman, P.A. to discuss your legal options and if a dating violence injunction is right for you.

What is an Injunction?

An injunction is a court order that prohibits someone from doing something. In domestic violence, an injunction is a “restraining order” – a legal order issued by a judge that requires one person to stop harming another.

Can it Help Protecting Me?

If you are a victim of domestic violence, an injunction can provide much-needed protection from your abuser. It can order the abuser to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, and your children’s school. It can also order the abuser to surrender any firearms and to have no contact with you.

Types of Injunctions

There are different types of injunctions depending on the relationship between the victim and the abuser.

A dating violence injunction Florida protects victims of dating violence from their abusers.

In Florida, dating violence is “between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.” To get a dating injunction, you must be able to show that your abuser has committed dating violence against you.

A sexual injunction provides legal protection for victims of sexual violence. Sexual violence is any form of unwanted sexual contact, including rape, fondling, and sexual assault.

A repeat injunction is an order issued after someone who had a conviction of a crime against you. It is important to note that a repeat injunction is only issued if there is evidence that the abuser is likely to commit another crime against you.

In a Florida domestic violence injunction, the abuser must be a family or household member. Family or household members include spouses, ex-spouses, parents, children, relatives, and people currently or previously living together.

Injunction Process in Florida

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can go to your local courthouse and file a petition for an injunction. The clerk will then give you a hearing date. At the hearing, you must present evidence to the judge that the abuser has committed domestic violence against you.

If the judge finds enough evidence to issue an injunction, they will issue a temporary injunction. The temporary injunction will be in effect until the abuser can respond to the allegations against them.

The judge can make the injunction permanent if the abuser does not respond to the allegations. If the abuser does react to the claims, both parties will have a chance to present evidence at a final hearing.

At the final hearing, the judge will decide whether to make the injunction permanent or to dismiss it.

When filing for an injunction, you should work with an experienced domestic violence lawyer. A lawyer can help you navigate the injunction process and protect your rights.

What Evidence Should I Provide for an Injunction?

If you file for an injunction, you must provide evidence that the abuser has committed domestic violence against you. Some of the types of evidence include:

• police reports
• restraining orders from other states
• medical records
• witness statements
• photographs
• emails and text messages

You must provide as much evidence as possible to show that the abuser has committed domestic violence against you. A reputable Fort Lauderdale domestic violence attorney can help you gather the evidence you need and present it in court.

How Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Help?

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you should contact an experienced domestic violence lawyer Florida as soon as possible.

A lawyer can help you get the protection you need and keep you safe from your abuser. An attorney can also help you navigate the injunction process and ensure that your rights are protected.

Do not suffer in silence! Contact Glenn R. Roderman, P.A., to speak with an experienced domestic violence lawyer today.

In the United States, drug trafficking is the unlawful cultivation, distribution, or possession of controlled substances. The federal laws clearly state that it is illegal to cultivate, manufacture, sell, dispense, or possess controlled substances.

However, every state has its drug trafficking laws that may be confusing. If you are facing drug trafficking charges in Florida—contact Glenn R. Roderman, P.A., to get help from drug crime lawyers Fort Lauderdale.

Elements of Drug Trafficking

You will get arrested and convicted of drug trafficking in Florida if the state proves the following elements against you beyond a reasonable doubt:

• You knowingly and intentionally sold, manufactured, delivered, or possessed a certain amount of controlled substances. The type and amount of drug will determine the severity of the charges and the penalties you may face. For instance, if caught with 28 grams or more of cocaine, it is already drug trafficking.

• You had the intention to sell or deliver the controlled substances. The prosecutors will examine various factors, such as whether you had large sums of cash, multiple prepaid phones, and a firearm, to prove that you intended to sell the drugs.

• The controlled substances were in a particular form. The form can be either raw, meaning it is yet for processing, or in its final forms, such as pills or powder.

What Amount of Drugs is Considered Drug Trafficking?

The number of controlled substances you have when caught will also affect how they prosecute you in your case. But what amount of drugs is considered trafficking?

In Florida, the amount of drugs necessary for a trafficking charge is as follows:

• Cocaine- At least 28 grams of cocaine
• Oxycodone- At least 4 grams
• Hydrocodone- At least 4 grams
• Morphine- At least 4 grams
• Opium- At least 4 grams
• Phencyclidine- At least 28 grams
• Methaqualone- At least 200 grams
• Amphetamine- At least 14 grams
• Flunitrazepam- At least 4 grams
• Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB- date rape drug)- At least 1 kilogram
• Lysergic Acid (LSD)- At least 1 gram

If they catch you with these amounts of drugs, you will be facing a first-degree felony charge, which is punishable by a prison sentence, a hefty fine, or both.

Causes of Drug Trafficking Charges

There are many different ways that a person can get charged with drug trafficking. Some of the most common ways are:

• Caught with a large amount of cash but no legitimate source of income
• Caught with numerous drugs and paraphernalia, such as scales and baggies
• Caught with drugs in your car or house
• Caught selling drugs to undercover police officers
• Saw manufacturing drugs in a “drug lab.”

In some cases, a person faces charges of drug trafficking even if not caught with a large number of drugs. For instance, you can still face charges if the police find drugs in your car or house, even if the drugs do not belong to you.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking Convictions

The penalties for drug trafficking cases in Florida depend on the type and amount of drug involved in the offense.

For instance, if convicted of trafficking cocaine, you will face the following penalties:

• 28g or more but less than 400g – 3-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a $50,000 fine
• 200g or more but below 400g- 7-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a $100,000 fine
• 400g or more – 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a $250,000 fine

Each drug has different penalties associated with it, and the amount of the drug will also affect the sentence. In addition to prison time and fines, a person convicted of drug trafficking will also have their driver’s license suspended for two years. A conviction will also go on your criminal record, making it difficult to find a job or housing in the future.

How Can an Attorney Help?

Drug trafficking is a serious offense that can result in severe penalties, including prison time and significant fines. If you or someone you know have a drug trafficking case, it is crucial to contact a felony drug trafficking attorney as soon as possible.

Drug crime lawyers Fort Lauderdale can help you by investigating the facts of your case and looking for any holes in the prosecution’s case against you.

Your lawyer will also negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf and may be able to get the charges against you reduced or even dismissed. Some common defenses to drug trafficking charges include:

• The drugs did not belong to you
• You were not aware that the drugs were in your possession
• The police conducted an illegal search and seizure
• The number of drugs was not enough to consider drug trafficking

Do not try to defend yourself if you have a drug trafficking charge. Drug trafficking charges are the most severe narcotics offenses you can have, and you will need an experienced attorney to help you through the process.

Call us today and have a free consultation.