On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
A criminal record can have a serious impact on a person’s life. It can limit where a person lives, what kind of job they can hold and whether or not they can vote or own a firearm. Many people with a criminal record in Florida may also be on probation. When a person is on probation they may have additional restrictions about where they can go, they may be required to check in with probation officers or have other requirements to fulfill as assigned by the court.
Domestic violence charges may often lead to probation and to a criminal record. That has been the case for former Miami Dolphins player Chad Johnson — more commonly known as Chad Ochocinco. Johnson was recently arrested and sent to jail overnight for supposedly violating the terms of his probation.
He is on probation because of a domestic violence incident that happened between him and his wife. According to court reports, Johnson and his wife were fighting one evening. His wife claims that during the course of this argument, Johnson head-butted her. As a result of this fight, Johnson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge and was sentenced to a year of probation and to domestic violence counseling.
Now, probation officers are claiming that Johnson has missed at least two required check-ins and has not completed the counseling. Johnson has been released from jail after posting bond, but he will have to deal with a new set of criminal hearings.
All those charged with domestic violence should understand that if they are found guilty, they could deal with long-lasting consequences such as these. Probation can be rigorous and there are severe punishments for not fulfilling the requirements — even for celebrities. Therefore, people should think twice before accepting deals with prosecutors that require probation and leave people with a criminal record, instead they should explore all their criminal defense options.
When you need a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, you can contact us by calling 954-533-2756 for a free consultation.
