Lawyers who represent domestic violence victims

Marc P. Lyons and Philip M. Snyder counsel and advise domestic violence victims throughout South Florida.

Know your rights

"Domestic violence"means 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.

"Family or household member" means spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of whether they have been married. With the exception of persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have in the past resided together in the same single dwelling unit.

Lawyers you can Trust

As a former Assistant State Attorney assigned to a special Domestic Violence Unit, domestic violence lawyer Philip M. Snyder prosecuted individuals charged with assault, battery, stalking, false imprisonment, and violations of restraining orders. Philip M. Snyder had the opportunity to speak with thousands of domestic violence victims. A large majority of domestic violence victims fall into one of three categories.

..."I want to drop the charges"

It is a common misconception that a victim of a crime has the right to either "file" or "drop" charges. The State Attorney's Office has the final word on whether to file a criminal charge and often actively encourage victims to prosecute even if they recant their initial statement to the police, file a waiver of prosecution, or decline to cooperate.

Lyons, Snyder & Collin acts as your legal counsel so you will not have to deal with receiving subpoenas or weekly phone calls from a Victim Advocate or Assistant State Attorney. We contact the State Attorney's Office and advise them of your position on any aspect of the case, including desired contact with the defendant, child visitation, and waivers of prosecution. We will gladly accompany you to the Victim Advocate's Office, Department of Child Services, or any Court hearing, if necessary.

..."They need drug and alcohol or mental health treatment, not incarceration"

Predominately, individuals charged with domestic violence offense have drug and alcohol dependencies or mental health disorders which alter their behavior. Typically, these individuals are devoted and caring spouses, brothers and sisters, and aunts and uncles who turn into "monsters" when under the spell of alcohol or drugs or when not on their medication.

Lyons, Snyder & Collin has experience dealing with these cases. We know which programs provide for successful results depending on the level of addiction or mental health disorder. Accordingly, we instruct the Assistant State Attorney to require specific drug and alcohol or mental health treatment plans, including AA, NA, in/out patient treatment, psycho-social evaluations, etc. as part of any plea agreement. We will gladly accompany you to the Victim Advocate's Office, Department of Child Services, or any Court hearing, if necessary.

..."They require lengthy incarceration"

At times, the State should insist that the Court incarcerate certain defendants charged with domestic violence offenses. Cold hearted and calculating individuals with depraved hearts should not receive the benefit of a "second" or "third" chance to co-exist in the community on probation. Often, victims who request a lengthy period incarceration are afraid that the family member will seek "retribution" once released from jail.

The domestic violence lawyers at Lyons, Snyder & Collin will contact the Assistant State Attorney assigned to your case and advise them that you require the defendant receive a lengthy incarceration and/or GPS ankle monitor as part of any negotiated plea agreement. We have helped victims file restraining orders, seal personal contact information, and contact Victims Rights agencies which may provide emergency financial assistance to help you move away from the defendant. We will gladly accompany you to the Victim Advocate's Office, Department of Child Services, or any Court hearing, if necessary.

...I need a restraining order

Obtaining a restraining order or an injunction for protection can be a complex and time-consuming process. Marc P. Lyons and Philip M. Snyder understand the information a Judge will require before issuing a restraining order for domestic violence, repeat violence, or dating violence.

The Domestic Violence Injunction

Any family or household member can seek an injunction against any other family or household member. The petitioner must have been a victim of domestic violence or has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of any act of domestic violence.

The Repeat Violence Injunction

Any person who is the victim of repeat violence can seek an injunction against the person causing the violence. Repeat Violence means two (2) incidents of violence or stalking with one incident having occurred within the last six months. Violence means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault or battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, or false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death. Enforcement of these injunctions is typically through the criminal courts.

The Dating Violence Injunction

Any person who is the victim of dating violence can to seek an injunction against the person causing the violence. Dating Violence means violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. Violence means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault or battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, or false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death.

Let Us navigate You through Troubled Waters

Lyons, Snyder & Collin understands that the State Attorney's Office sometimes neglects the concerns of victims. In our opinion, the victim should have the ultimate decision with regard to the outcome of their case. We will work as your advocate to make sure your family member accused of a domestic violence offense receives an appropriate sentence in accordance with your desires. Our domestic violence lawyers can also facilitate the filing of domestic violence charges or petition the Court to file a restraining order.

Contact Lyons, Snyder & Collin 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 954.462.8035 for your free consultation.