Statistics show that domestic violence cases are on the rise across Florida — and Broward County is no exception. As a criminal defense attorney practicing in Broward County, FL, I am seeing more domestic violence arrests than ever before. Local and statewide data confirm the trend: domestic violence incidents, calls to law enforcement, and formal charges are all climbing. You can read more about this alarming rise in domestic violence arrests here, here, and here.
If you have been arrested for domestic violence in Broward County, Florida, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner — immediately. Not after your first court date. Not after charges are filed. Right now.
Navigating the criminal justice system in Fort Lauderdale can feel like walking through a maze without a map. If you or a loved one has been arrested in Broward County, FL, the most critical phase of the case isn’t necessarily the arrest itself—it is the “filing decision.” This is the moment a Florida prosecutor decides exactly what crimes you will be charged with, or if the case should be dismissed entirely.
As a Broward County criminal defense lawyer, Matthew Glassman understands that the period between an arrest and the formal filing of charges is a window of opportunity. Here is a deep dive into how the state of Florida builds its case and what factors influence its decisions when filing criminal charges in Broward County, Florida.
How a Typical Domestic Violence Arrest Unfolds in Broward County, Florida
As a Broward County criminal defense lawyer, I see the same scenario play out again and again. Understanding how quickly a domestic dispute can turn into a criminal arrest — and how Florida law shapes what happens next — is critical for anyone facing these charges.
A Common Scenario: From Argument to Handcuffs
A wife calls the police because she suspects her husband is cheating and he won’t allow her to look through his phone. A struggle ensues. Pushing and shoving follow, along with a lot of name-calling. The police arrive. The husband is immediately asked to step outside with his hands up and turn around to face the wall. The handcuffs click shut.
The wife — who made the call — is now in hysterics watching her husband be walked toward a police cruiser. She doesn’t want him arrested. The kids are crying. Law enforcement contacts the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to assess the children’s well-being. And through all of it, body cameras are rolling — silently recording you, your children, and anyone else in their path.
Why Florida Law Leads to Mandatory Arrests in Domestic Violence Cases
Florida has a mandatory arrest law for domestic violence. If law enforcement arrives on scene and finds probable cause to believe an act of domestic violence has occurred, an arrest must be made — regardless of whether the alleged victim wants to press charges or not. That is why the wife calling for help can quickly result in her husband being taken away in a patrol car.
This is exactly why you need a skilled criminal defense attorney in Broward County — because the decision to arrest is made fast, on limited information, and it can cascade into a life-altering criminal case in a matter of hours.
Why Domestic Violence Cases Are Increasing in Broward County
The Financial Pressure Behind the Rise in Florida Domestic Disputes
Relationships are beautiful and sacred. They are also hard. The financial realities facing Broward County families right now are placing unprecedented strain on households — and that strain is showing up in domestic violence statistics.
Rent and housing costs in Broward County, FL, have surged. Food, gas, and clothing prices are soaring. Childcare expenses have skyrocketed. Wages and salaries are frequently unable to keep pace. The stress this creates on domestic relationships can become a powder keg.
For a myriad of reasons — financial hardship, suspicions of infidelity, communication breakdowns — relationships can test your patience to its absolute limit. That does not mean you don’t love the other person. It does not mean you would not do anything to support them. It just means that sometimes life’s pressures heat up, tempers boil over, and in an instant — things go sideways. And that moment can lead to handcuffs, a night in jail, and life-altering criminal consequences that follow you long after the argument is forgotten.
What to Do If You Are Arrested for Domestic Violence in Broward County, FL
Do Not Wait — Contact a Broward County Criminal Defense Attorney Immediately
Do not become a statistic. If you have been arrested for domestic violence in Broward County, Florida, call criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman immediately. Do not wait for a court date. Do not wait for charges to be filed. The window between your arrest and the State Attorney’s formal filing decision is the most important period in your entire case.
As your criminal defense attorney, I will contact the State Attorney’s Office proactively — before a formal charging decision is made — and present evidence, context, and legal arguments that give prosecutors reasons to dismiss or drop your case entirely. This pre-filing intervention strategy is one of the most powerful tools available in Florida domestic violence defense, and it is only available in that narrow window of time.
Why Early Action by a Criminal Defense Lawyer Matters
Once the State Attorney formally files charges, the process becomes significantly more difficult and costly to navigate. A conviction for domestic violence in Florida carries serious consequences: potential jail time, a permanent criminal record, loss of firearm rights, mandatory batterer’s intervention programs, restraining orders, and devastating impacts on child custody and employment. These are not outcomes you want to face without a seasoned Broward County domestic violence defense attorney who knows the local courts, prosecutors, and procedures inside and out.
Let’s be proactive. Let’s start fighting your case from day one and give the State Attorney every reason not to file charges against you.
Frequently Asked Questions: Domestic Violence Defense in Broward County
Contact a criminal defense attorney in Broward County as soon as possible — ideally within hours of your arrest, not days. The earlier your criminal defense attorney gets involved, the better the chances of preventing formal charges from being filed at all. Do not speak to law enforcement without your attorney present.
Yes. An experienced domestic violence defense attorney can present evidence and arguments to the State Attorney’s Office before charges are formally filed. If successful, the State may choose not to file — effectively ending the case before it truly begins. Even after charges are filed, a skilled defense lawyer can pursue dismissal, reduction of charges, or alternative resolutions.
In Florida, the State Attorney — not the alleged victim — decides whether to prosecute a domestic violence case. Even if the person who called police does not want to pursue charges, the State can and often does proceed on its own. This makes it critical to have a criminal defense lawyer advocating on your behalf directly to the prosecution.
A domestic violence conviction in Florida can result in jail time, probation, mandatory counseling, a permanent criminal record, loss of the right to possess firearms, injunctions (restraining orders), and severe impacts on divorce, child custody, and employment. Protecting your record starts with choosing the right Broward County criminal defense attorney.
Contact Broward County Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Glassman Today for Free Consultation
The Law Office of Matthew Glassman represents clients facing domestic violence charges throughout Broward County, Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Miramar, Davie, Deerfield Beach, and surrounding communities.
Don’t wait. Don’t guess. Contact our criminal defense attorney now. The sooner you have an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner, the better your chances of protecting your freedom, your family, and your future.