Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Domestic violence is not considered which type of charge?

1. Criminal

2. Civil

3. Traffic

4. Federal

The correct answer is: Criminal

Domestic violence is primarily regarded as a criminal matter, as it involves acts of violence or threats committed against an intimate partner, family member, or household member that violate state laws. Many jurisdictions have specific criminal statutes addressing domestic violence, highlighting its seriousness in the legal context. In contrast, civil charges typically involve disputes between individuals or organizations that seek monetary compensation or specific performance rather than punishment. While civil orders, like restraining orders, can be sought in domestic violence cases, they do not constitute criminal charges. Traffic charges deal specifically with violations of laws related to the operation of motor vehicles and do not pertain to personal conduct issues like domestic violence. Federal charges arise when violations of federal law occur, but domestic violence is usually prosecuted under state law unless it involves specific federal statutes or situations. These distinctions clarify that domestic violence charges inherently fit within the criminal framework, thus confirming their classification as criminal rather than civil, traffic, or federal offenses.