WBA Boxing Champ Arrested In Parkland After Domestic Dispute

A 28-year old man who previously held titles in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) was arrested on December 26, 2022, being charged with domestic violence causing bodily harm. 911 calls from his alleged victim were made from the home, saying she was trying to flee but being prevented from doing so. The boxer also allegedly struck her on the head and caused minor injury to her mouth. The charge he faces is significant, carrying potential prison time if it results in conviction.

What Is Domestic Violence In Florida?

Florida law does not specifically recognize ‘domestic violence’ as a single crime – normally, the underlying offense is charged, such as assault, kidnapping, or battery – but the rare exception to this definition is the crime referred to as domestic battery. Domestic battery is specifically defined as the touching or striking of a “family or household member” against their will, with “family or household member” including a wide group of people, from spouses to co-parents to those related by blood or marriage.

Florida law defines domestic violence as any criminal offense that may cause “physical injury or death” to a family or household member, committed by another member. In this case, the boxer and the woman were not reported to have any kind of relationship, nor did they live together. However, he later described her as the mother of his child, which does make them “household member[s]” if true. Thus, the law does not prevent the boxer from being tried on this charge.

Conviction Can Change Your Life

If the charge of domestic battery reaches trial, the boxer may face a harsher sentence if convicted. There have been past allegations of domestic violence against the man, including an alleged incident of domestic violence against his former girlfriend in 2020, though that case was discharged. While obviously, the boxer is innocent until proven guilty, it still may affect a judge’s determination in sentencing if he is convicted on this particular charge.

What the boxer will likely do, and what anyone accused of domestic violence offenses should do, is to engage an experienced attorney quickly. A conviction on such a charge can derail a person’s career, as well as leaving a permanent criminal record that cannot be expunged or sealed away. It is crucial to enlist experienced legal help in such a serious matter, so that you can ensure that your rights are properly protected during the legal process.

Call A West Palm Beach Domestic Violence Attorney

While it remains to be seen how the case of the boxer will be handled, you should always take domestic violence charges very seriously. If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense in Florida, a West Palm Beach criminal attorney from Perlet & Shiner, P.A. can help guide you through the legal process and ensure that you get your fair day in court. Call our office today at (561) 721-0552 to speak to an attorney.

Source:

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