Former Lawmaker Arrested for Aggravated Battery
A former member of the Florida House of Representatives has been arrested under suspicion of aggravated battery. According to the alleged victim, the incident stemmed from a disagreement over her desire to purchase a house in her own name.
Former representative Baxter Troutman served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 through 2010. According to arrest records from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Troutman was previously arrested after a 2012 domestic battery incident involving the same spouse. That incident led to charges of domestic violence-battery after he allegedly struck the woman with a bedspread.
The allegations made by the woman regarding the current incident are similar in nature. According to Troutman’s spouse, the couple had been arguing the previous evening regarding a real estate purchase. Troutman is alleged to have woken her in the early morning hours before eventually dragging her from the bed. The alleged victim also mentioned two previously-unreported incidents in which she claims Troutman assaulted her. She provided law enforcement of what she purports to be photographs of her injuries after a 2015 incident.
At the time of writing, it is unclear if Troutman has retained a Florida criminal defense attorney.
What Happens After an Arrest for Aggravated Battery in Florida?
After an arrest for aggravated battery in Florida, a defendant will be brought before a judge. This hearing will take place within 24 hours of the arrest. At the hearing, the judge will determine if probable cause exists to allow the case to proceed. If the judge determines there is probable cause for the arrest, a plea will be entered and a trial date will be set by the court.
Florida has what is known as “Speedy Trial” laws. These laws ensure a defendant’s right to a speedy trial guaranteed by the constitution is preserved. For misdemeanor battery cases, a trial must occur within 90 days. For felony cases, a trial must be held with 175 days. Once the trial date is set, a defendant’s attorney will have the opportunity to review the arrest records and witness statements in the case. This is the first step in developing a strong defense in the case.
A Tampa Battery Attorney You can Count On
Omar Abdelghany is a Tampa criminal defense attorney with extensive experience defending both misdemeanor and felony battery cases. Before he ever meets with a prospective client to discuss their case, Omar Abdelghany reviews the police records and probably cause report. This allows him to go into the consultation with a strong understanding of the facts, which lets him focus on listening to the prospective client’s side of the story.
Some attorneys are content to push their clients into whatever plea deal might be offered. This saves the attorney time but is rarely in the best interest of the client. Omar Abdelghany is not one of those attorneys. He will advocate fiercely for you during negotiations with the prosecutor, but will not hesitate to take your case to trial if those negotiations are not fruitful. To discuss your case with an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney, contact the OA Law Firm at 813-461-5291 today.
