Criminal Lawyer Warns of Increased Domestic Violence Arrests During Holidays
(Fort Lauderdale, FL – November 2025) As families gather and pressures mount during the year-end holidays, Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman is issuing an urgent warning regarding the predictable—and deeply destructive—spike in domestic violence (DV) accusations throughout Broward County and the wider South Florida region. Facing an accusation of domestic violence is a life-altering event, often resulting in immediate arrest, a hefty bond amount, and lasting reputational damage, even before a single charge is formally filed. When domestic violence accusations arise, the need for an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer becomes paramount, particularly one deeply familiar with the unique procedures of the Fort Lauderdale court system.
Criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman emphasizes that every accusation of domestic violence—whether it stems from a heated argument, a misunderstanding, or a false report—is treated with the utmost severity by Florida criminal law enforcement and prosecutors. The immediate priority for anyone arrested for domestic violence is securing representation from a skilled Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer who can initiate a robust defense immediately. Criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman of the Law Office of Matthew Glassman, P.A. is committed to protecting the rights, freedom, and future of individuals targeted by these serious allegations, ensuring a meticulous and strategic defense from the moment of arrest through final resolution. Contact criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman for a free consultation to discuss your domestic violence accusations.
The Unseen Holiday Crisis: Rising Domestic Violence Accusations in South Florida
The period spanning Thanksgiving through the New Year consistently witnesses a troubling surge in calls to law enforcement related to alleged domestic incidents. In South Florida, the combination of close-quarters family gatherings, increased alcohol consumption, financial strain, and existing emotional tensions often creates a volatile environment. These factors, unique to the holiday season, often lead to situations where minor disagreements escalate quickly, resulting in calls to 911 and subsequent arrests under Florida’s strict domestic violence protocols.
When a police officer is dispatched to a domestic incident scene in Fort Lauderdale, their priority is typically the safety of the perceived victim, and they are trained to make an arrest if there is any sign of probable cause that an act of violence or threat has occurred. This often leads to an aggressive arrest-first policy, meaning that individuals can be jailed rapidly based on subjective claims or minimal physical evidence, transforming a family argument into a felony or misdemeanor criminal charge within minutes. This harsh reality underscores why securing a skilled criminal defense attorney immediately is not optional—it is essential for protecting constitutional rights and navigating the complex legal machinery of the Broward County criminal justice system.
The term “domestic violence” in Florida is broadly defined under Florida Statute 741.28 as any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. The breadth of this definition means that even a simple push, a verbal threat, or the breaking of property during an argument can trigger a DV arrest. Furthermore, once an arrest is made, the State Attorney’s Office often takes ownership of the case, and the alleged victim’s desire to “drop the charges” frequently has little weight with prosecutors who have strict internal policies against dismissing these cases lightly.
The increased vigilance of law enforcement during the holidays, coupled with heightened family tensions, ensures that more residents find themselves unexpectedly in the Broward County lockup. For those searching desperately for a “criminal defense attorney near me” during this stressful time, criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman provides experienced, 24/7 availability to respond to these emergency situations. His experience includes intervening during the critical first 24-48 hours, where vital decisions regarding bond, release conditions, and temporary restraining orders (Injunctions for Protection) are made.
The Immediate and Long-Term Consequences of a Domestic Violence Charge in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A domestic violence arrest in Fort Lauderdale, FL, carries a unique set of penalties and procedural hurdles that distinguish it from other criminal offenses. The immediate consequence is usually an automatic hold until the First Appearance hearing, and often, a judge will impose a monetary bond, or a prohibitively high bond, particularly if injuries are present. Moreover, the judge will almost certainly issue a No Contact Order, preventing the accused from returning home, seeing their children, or communicating with the alleged victim—an incredibly disruptive and damaging outcome that begins immediately. Depending on the severity of the facts, the Court may order that the defendant must be subjected to electronic monitoring.
Beyond the initial arrest and release conditions, the long-term penalties for a domestic violence conviction in Florida are severe and often disproportionate to the underlying incident. These include:
-
Mandatory Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP): Conviction often mandates completion of a 26-week program, regardless of the severity of the act.
-
Permanent Criminal Record: A DV conviction is a permanent, public mark that severely impacts employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
-
Loss of Firearm Rights: Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing firearms, potentially ending careers for military personnel, law enforcement, security guards, and hunters.
-
Immigration Consequences: For non-citizens, a DV conviction can lead to deportation or severely jeopardize their path to residency or citizenship.
Given these profound stakes, engaging a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney is the only way to effectively challenge the charges. The defense must address not only the legal elements of the crime but also the highly emotional and often conflicting testimony surrounding domestic incidents. This requires a criminal defense lawyer skilled in cross-examining emotional witnesses and presenting a clear, factual narrative in a courtroom environment that is inherently biased toward protecting the alleged victim. Criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman has almost 20 years of experience defending clients accused of domestic violence and can defend your legal rights and future.
Criminal Defense Attorney Providing Aggressive Defense Strategies for Domestic Violence Cases
Criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman approaches every domestic violence case with the understanding that the State of Florida must prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. This high burden of proof creates numerous opportunities for seasoned criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman to successfully challenge the prosecution’s case. Effective defense begins the moment criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman is retained and involves a multi-layered strategy tailored to the specific facts of the Fort Lauderdale arrest. The next sections discuss four possible defense strategies criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman may use for domestic violence accusations.
1. Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Challenging Probable Cause and Illegal Arrests
A key defense tactic is scrutinizing the initial arrest. Was the responding officer justified in finding probable cause? Did the officer fully investigate both sides, or did they simply make an arrest based on the first account received? Often, officers arrive at a chaotic scene and rely on insufficient or conflicting evidence. Skilled Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman will argue aggressively to try and get your charges dropped or reduced. He will examine the evidence and file a Motion to Suppress if evidence was seized illegally or file a motion for dismissal under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law if one was at a place that they had a right to be and was engaged in their lawful right to self-defense.
2. Self-Defense and Mutual Combat Claims with a Criminal Defense Lawyer
In many domestic confrontations, the accused was acting purely in self-defense or in defense of another person. Florida law permits the use of reasonable force to prevent an imminent attack. Establishing a credible self-defense narrative often involves gathering evidence quickly, including photographic evidence of injuries sustained by the defendant, securing independent witness statements, and using expert testimony to reconstruct the events. Furthermore, in cases of mutual combat where both parties engaged in a physical altercation, the narrative often becomes too complex for the State to meet its burden, creating leverage for criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman.
3. Criminal Defense Attorney Utilizing Victim Credibility and Recantation
While prosecutors often ignore a victim’s desire to recant, dedicated criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman knows how to legally utilize the victim’s changing testimony. In cases involving false accusations driven by custody battles, divorce, or momentary anger, the victim may later admit the report was exaggerated or untrue. While the State may proceed without the victim’s cooperation, criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman can use prior inconsistent statements, mental health history, or motivation to fabricate to severely damage the State’s case during deposition and trial. Criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman has vast experience in uncovering the underlying dynamics of a relationship that may have motivated a false or misleading police report.
4. The Injunction Hearing Defense Used by a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Separate from the criminal case, the alleged victim often files a Petition for an Injunction for Protection (Restraining Order). This is a civil proceeding, but the outcome can indirectly impact the criminal case and the defendant’s immediate living situation. Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman will aggressively defend against the injunction, as a successful defense in this hearing can significantly undermine the State’s confidence in the related criminal prosecution. Success in the injunction hearing often protects the accused’s right to return to their residence and maintain contact with their children.
Why You Should Immediately Contact a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer
For residents of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County facing domestic violence allegations, time is the single most critical factor. The decisions made in the first 72 hours—from the initial interrogation to the First Appearance hearing—can determine the entire course of your domestic violence case. Having criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman engaged immediately allows for:
-
Proactive Evidence Gathering: Securing video surveillance, text messages, and independent witness testimony before they disappear.
-
Effective Bond Argument: Presenting mitigating factors and community ties to the judge to argue for release on reasonable bond terms.
-
Defense Against Interrogation: Ensuring the client exercises their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, preventing self-incriminating statements.
Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman possesses vast knowledge of the specific procedures and prosecutors assigned to domestic violence cases in the Broward County court system. This local expertise is invaluable. He understands which arguments will resonate best in which courtrooms and has established professional relationships that allow for candid, high-level negotiations, often leading to reduced charges, alternative dispositions (like pre-trial diversion), or complete case dismissals where the facts support it.
Are You Searching for a “Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me?” Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Glassman for a Free Consultation!
If you are searching for a “criminal defense attorney near me,” contact the Law Office of Matthew Glassman today for a free consultation. Criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman’s mission is clear: to provide a powerful, unwavering defense for every client. Whether the defense involves a complete factual dispute, a claim of self-defense, or mitigating circumstances to secure a favorable plea agreement, his defense representation is characterized by meticulous preparation and a relentless commitment to protecting his client’s freedom and future. When you need a criminal defense attorney who combines aggressive courtroom advocacy with compassionate client support, criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman is the definitive choice in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Don’t let a stressful holiday incident destroy your life; contact Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman to defend your reputation and freedom.
About Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Glassman
The Law Office of Matthew Glassman, P.A. is a premier criminal defense law firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dedicated exclusively to defending individuals accused of serious crimes, including domestic violence, DWI/DUI, violent crimes, drug offenses, weapons charges, sex crimes, and homicide/manslaughter charges. Led by experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman, the criminal defense law firm has built a reputation for providing strategic, personalized, and aggressive representation to clients throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman believes that every client deserves a rigorous defense and that an accusation is not a conviction. He has over 270 5-star Google reviews from previous clients who have hired him to defend their criminal charges in South Florida. When your freedom and reputation are on the line, trust a proven criminal defense lawyer to stand by your side.
Media Contact:
Law Office of Matthew Glassman, P.A.
600 SW 4th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: (954) 908-3399
URL: Broward County criminal defense attorney | www.matthewglassmanlaw.com
)