NFL Player Wanted For Domestic Violence In Florida
According to a report from Fox 2 Detroit, Cam Sutton—a cornerback who had signed with the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason—is wanted for domestic violence. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is pursuing Mr. Sutton for charges of domestic battery by strangulation—a serious felony offense in Florida. Within this blog post, our Orlando domestic violence defense attorney discusses the allegations and the charges filed in this case.
The Allegations: Domestic Violence By Strangulation in Early March
NFL cornerback Cam Sutton is sought by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida due to allegations of domestic violence. The incident in question allegedly took place on March 7 in Lutz, a suburb of Tampa, Florida, at approximately 5 a.m. Local law enforcement authorities responded to a domestic violence call involving Mr. Sutton and a woman. It led to the discovery of wounds on the alleged victim. An arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Sutton. The defendant failed to turn himself in and, as of Late March, the police had not been able to locate him. The charges include domestic battery by strangulation. The player, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has since been released by his new team, the Detroit Lions.
Understand the Charge of Domestic Battery By Strangulation in Florida
Domestic violence is a serious criminal offense. Though, in Florida, not all domestic violence cases are treated the same way. The charge in this case—domestic battery by strangulation—is one of the most serious types of domestic violence. Under state law (Florida Statute § 784.041), it is a third degree felony criminal charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison even without any history of previous domestic violence offenses. There are three required elements of the charge:
- The defendant knowingly, intentionally impeded the victim’s airflow (strangulation);
- The defendant’s conduct created a risk of great bodily harm for the victim; and
- The victim was a family member or household member under Florida law.
Every Defendant is Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty
The defendant in this case has not been convicted of any criminal offense. A cornerstone of the American criminal justice system is that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty> it is a presumption means that it is the government’s responsibility to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt before any punishment can be imposed. The standard is vital for protecting the rights of individuals. Any person accused of domestic violence—particularly a felony domestic violence offense—has the right to defend themselves. An attorney can help.
Contact Our Orlando, FL Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Today
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando domestic violence defense attorney firmly believes that every person is innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to raise a strong defense against any criminal charges. If you or your close loved one is facing a domestic violence charge, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a confidential initial appointment. From our Orlando law office, we defend domestic violence charges all across Central Florida.
Source:
fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-lions-player-cameron-sutton-wanted-for-domestic-violence-in-florida
