Trial Attorney Defending Those Accused Of Assault And Battery For Over 20 Years
Your attorney is an award winning lawyer who has been involved with thousands of cases over the course of his career. He has earned a reputation as one of the region’s most honest and diligent criminal defense attorneys and has an aggressive drive to win. He is amongst the best lawyers in the Tampa Bay area, with many positive reviews.
Our highly regarded law firm has been deemed one of the top law firms in Hillsborough County.
An assault and battery case can unfold in a matter of seconds. All it takes is just a few moments of “losing your cool” and you could find yourself facing serious legal consequences, including jail time and hefty fines.
Assault and battery is one of the most common violent crimes, and as such, it can carry far-reaching effects, including a permanent criminal record that can make it challenging to get a job, rent property or attend university courses. Plus, there’s the damage to your reputation and your standing within the community.
You should never try to face criminal charges on your own. By hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you will maximize your chances of seeing a positive case outcome. With experience in thousands of cases and more than 200 trials, your attorney is a former prosecutor-turned-defense attorney who represents assault and battery cases in Tampa, Plant City, Brandon and the surrounding regions.
Your lawyer’s legal career started decades ago. He first started out on the other side of the table as a prosecutor with the Florida State Attorney’s Office. He has held a number of positions, including narcotics prosecution and DUI prosecution. But eventually, he transitioned from prosecution to defense – a focus that he has maintained for the past 15 years.
Prior to winning in the courtroom, your attorney was winning at the race track. This former manager of professional racecar drivers, realizes the true importance of a solid strategy and game plan. Today, he strives to be the MVP on your legal defense team.
When you turn to us, you can rest easy knowing you’ve hired an experienced lawyer who cares. He even provides clients with his personal cell phone number, which they are welcome to utilize whenever the need arises. After all, the criminal justice system never sleeps!
If you or a loved one have been arrested for assault and battery, we can assist. To schedule your confidential case evaluation, call 813-933-6807.
Florida Assault and Battery Cases: Common Questions Following an Arrest
Following an assault and battery arrest, it’s totally natural to feel frightened, regretful and uncertain about the future. This is especially true if you don’t have a criminal record and have never been on the “wrong side” of the law before.
An Assault and battery attorney should that by address a client’s questions and concerns, so much of this stress and uncertainty can be alleviated. So let’s look at a few of the most typical concerns that may arise on the heels of an assault and battery arrest.
What’s the Definition of Assault in Florida?
[Image: Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer] Florida law defines assault as the act of making a threat of harm that places the victim in imminent fear of suffering physical injury. There is no direct contact or injury required for an assault charge to be filed. The prosecutor typically depicts that the defendant intentionally threatened the victim in a manner that left the victim fearful.
Additionally, the prosecutor must show that the suspect posed a threat through an intimidating action, gesture or words. The defendant typically needs to be actually capable of carrying out the act that has been threatened.
Florida law has several forms of assault, including:
- Simple assault;
- Aggravated assault; and
- Felony assault.
What’s the Definition of Battery in Florida?
Florida law defines battery as an act of aggression involving contact between the defendant and the victim. The prosecutor is tasked with proving that the defendant intentionally contacted the victim via an action such as a hit or a touch. An act of battery is one that is performed against the victim’s will. The action is unwelcome and without the victim’s consent.
Just as with assault, Florida law defines a few different types of battery.
Simple battery is defined as an act of intentional and unwelcome contact involving the aggressor and the victim. This can include hitting, shoving, and other violent acts.
Aggravated battery is defined as an act of battery that results in serious bodily injury or an act of battery involving a deadly weapon.
In cases where the defendant has been convicted of prior battery charges, the prosecutor may opt to pursue felony battery charges.
What are the Assault and Battery Penalties? Will I Face a Misdemeanor or Felony?
Florida law specifies different severities and different penalties for each type of assault and battery. Here is a look at the various types of assault and battery, the severity of each charge and the potential penalties.
- Simple Assault: Second-degree misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500.
- Simple Battery: First-degree misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
- Aggravated Assault: Third-degree felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
- Felony Battery: Third-degree felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
Aggravated Battery: Second-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Notably, the prosecutor can escalate the seriousness of a charge in cases where a defendant is considered a habitual, “career” offender or in cases where the individual has prior felony convictions (especially for other violent crimes.)
How are assault and battery different in Tampa?
A battery is a touching or striking of another person without their permission, while assault is an act of attempting to batter another person and such attempt causes the person to fear that an unwanted touching or striking is going to occur.
What is the difference between misdemeanor and felony assault in Tampa?
Felony assault occurs when a deadly weapon is used.
What is the difference between misdemeanor and felony battery in Tampa?
Felony battery is a specific crime which is simply a battery that causes great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement even if there was no intent to cause any injury.
What happens when someone commits assault or battery on a law enforcement officer in Tampa?
It is automatically a felony, even if there is no injury.
What are the potential consequences of a conviction in Hillsborough County?
Prison, probation or both. Loss of constitutional rights, restitution, drug and/or anger management classes and just about an exhaustive list of conditions.
Hire a Top Florida Assault and Battery Lawyer to Defend Your Case
[Image: Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer] Assault and battery cases and other violent crimes can carry some of the harshest penalties in the U.S. criminal justice system, so it’s extremely important that you trust your defense to an experienced attorney who can give you the highly strategic representation that you deserve.
With more than thousands of cases and over hundreds of criminal trials to his credit, your Florida criminal defense lawyer is available to assist clients who stand accused of assault and battery or another violent crime in Tampa, Brandon, and Plant City.
If you or a loved one have been arrested for assault and battery or another criminal offense, contact us to arrange a fully confidential, no-cost case consultation session. Call 813-933-6807.