Domestic violence is one of the most frequently charged criminal offenses in Pinellas County. Due to the high frequency of these crimes, a specific unit was established in Pinellas County solely to investigate and prosecute domestic violence cases. The Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force helps provide prevention strategies and assists victims of family violence in seeking restraining or protective orders. The Task Force began in 2000 to help solve the growing number of murders related to family violence. However, for every legitimate domestic situation that comes before the police department, there are numerous false accusations that consume valuable time and resources.

Approximately six percent of murders in Florida are related to domestic violence cases. Therefore, the Pinellas County Police Department takes reports of domestic abuse seriously and investigates each domestic violence call. However, false claims of abuse have become a considerable problem. Several cases of domestic violence turn out to be false or greatly exaggerated. These false reports waste valuable time and resources that could be used to help legitimate victims.

The Pinellas Task Force does not charge members or have a steady source of income; the Force operates strictly on donations and fundraising. Their efforts are used to help victims file reports and arrange safe places to stay throughout the investigation process. It can take several weeks and many resources to fully investigate a claim. Due to the tendency for domestic violence to escalate into murder, the Task Force does not believe that it can turn away a potential victim. The consequences can be devastating if you do not follow up on an allegation.

People file false reports for numerous reasons and motivations. Some people hold grudges after a relationship ends. They could file a false report to get back at their ex-partner. Other times, the alleged victim may actually be the abuser, but wants to avoid a criminal assault charge, so they distort the situation to make the other party appear guilty. The problem with retaliation-type complaints is that police investigations cannot be easily stopped once they start. Once an officer has been called for a domestic disturbance, he will arrest the alleged offender, even if the report turns out to be false. It is then the officer’s duty to fully investigate the situation.

Sometimes the reasons for calling the police are more benign. If a couple is in the middle of a heated argument, one party can call the police to prevent escalation of violence. In St. Petersburg, once an allegation of abuse or assault is brought before the police, the alleged victim does not automatically have the power to drop the charge. The State will continue the investigation and file formal charges if prosecutors believe there is a real threat of abuse, regardless of whether or not the alleged victim wishes to later drop the charge.

By far the most common motivation for false reporting is to gain leverage in a child custody or visitation case. The court will often award full custody to an alleged victim of family violence when allegations of abuse arise in order to protect the children from harm. A conviction for domestic abuse in Florida criminal court can be used to reflect on a person’s character in family court.

These various types of allegations waste time, money, and other resources of the Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force that can be spent on legitimate family violence cases.

However, if a person’s allegations of abuse turn out to be false, the allegations could be detrimental to the person claiming to have been harmed. In child custody cases, a family court judge will doubt the credibility of the person making the false report and will often reduce the custody award. Additionally, criminal repercussions may arise, as the alleged victim may be charged with filing a false report.

It is important that a person falsely accused of domestic violence in St. Petersburg retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. If someone who is falsely accused does not fight the charges, they could end up wrongfully convicted. The purpose of the Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force is to stop cases of genuine domestic violence. False reports of domestic violence diminish the efforts of the Task Force and alienate victims who really need help.