Domestic Battery Arrests in Pinellas County: What You Need to Know This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time when families come together. Unfortunately, it is also a time when tensions can run high, emotions can escalate, and in some cases, law enforcement may become involved. A domestic battery arrest in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or anywhere in Pinellas County can have immediate and devastating consequences, especially this time of year. One of the most significant impacts is the very real possibility of spending the holidays apart from your loved ones.

The Immediate Impact: “No Contact” Orders

When someone is arrested for an alleged domestic violence offense, Florida law requires that they appear before a judge at an advisory (first appearance) hearing. In many domestic battery cases, judges routinely impose a strict condition of release: “No Contact with the Victim.”

While this may sound straightforward, the order is often far more disruptive than most people realize. A No Contact order typically means:

• You may not have any communication with the alleged victim, including phone calls, in person contact, text messages, emails, facebook, third-party contact, or any other means of communication.
• You may not return to the shared residence.
• You may not retrieve personal belongings without law enforcement oversight.

For many of our clients, this results in the immediate inability to return home, leaving them displaced, separated from their family, and unsure of how long the situation will last.

Our Bifurcated Strategy: Fighting to Get You Home

At the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, our top-rated Clearwater domestic violence defense team uses a bifurcated approach designed to get our clients home as quickly and safely as possible.

Step One: Filing a Motion to Modify Release Conditions

Our first priority is to ask the Court to modify the No Contact order so that our client may return home and resume contact with the alleged victim. We file a formal Motion to Modify Pretrial Release Conditions and request a hearing before the assigned judge.

If granted, the modification allows our client to return home, sometimes in time for the holidays.

However, the reality is that the Court controls its own calendar. It is not uncommon for hearing dates to be set several weeks out, especially during the busy holiday season. That is why simply filing the motion is not enough.

Step Two: Seeking a Dismissal by the State Attorney’s Office

While we wait for the Court to schedule the modification hearing, our office immediately pivots to the second prong of our strategy:

We prepare persuasive correspondence to the prosecutor requesting that the case be dropped through the filing of a “No Information.”

If the State Attorney’s Office agrees to drop the charges, the No Contact order is dissolved, and our client is free to return home, without waiting for a court date. The State Attorney’s Office considers a number of factors when determining whether to dismiss a “Domestic Battery” charge. These include:

• The conduct alleged (For example, a punch is generally more aggravated than a push)
• Any injuries
• Our client’s prior record, if any
• The alleged victim’s prior record
• Whether alcohol was a factor
• Whether children were present at the time of the incident
• The feelings of the alleged victim
• Whether there are any independent, objective witnesses

Why Choose Us? Experience Matters.

Domestic violence cases are handled differently from nearly any other type of criminal charge. Prosecutors receive specialized training, and the State often pursues charges even when the alleged victim does not wish to prosecute.

Our domestic violence defense team is uniquely equipped to navigate these challenges because:

We are former Pinellas County prosecutors.

We learned the system from the inside.
We know the tactics the State uses.
And we know how to effectively counter them.

Our experience allows us to identify weaknesses in the State’s case early, build compelling arguments for dismissal, and advocate forcefully for our clients’ rights, both in and out of court.

If You Are Facing a Domestic Battery Charge, Act Quickly

A domestic violence arrest does not have to define your future, and it does not have to separate you from your family longer than necessary. The sooner our team becomes involved, the sooner we can work toward:

• Modifying the No Contact order
• Getting you back home
• Seeking a dismissal of the charges

If you or a loved one is facing a domestic battery arrest in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or anywhere in Pinellas County, call us immediately. The consultation is free, and time is often of the essence, especially during the holiday season.

Contact the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested for Domestic Battery in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or the surrounding areas of Pinellas County, our team of domestic battery defense attorneys stands ready to help. Our consultations are always free. Contact us today at 727-855-3847.