A violent crimes charge in Palm Beach County pulls together a team you never asked to face: a prosecutor deciding how high to stack the counts, detectives building a narrative, and a sentencing code that turns a single accusation into decades of exposure. Meltzer & Bell answers with a 10-attorney team of former state prosecutors and public defenders carrying over 143 years of combined criminal defense experience and over 1,000 five-star reviews online. We’ve stood on both sides of the courtroom in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade courts. That’s exactly the vantage point a serious felony demands.
We’ve secured Stand Your Ground dismissals in second-degree murder cases and Not Guilty verdicts on attempted first-degree murder with a firearm — the kind of results that only come from a team that prepares every case for trial. If you or someone you love was arrested for a violent offense anywhere from West Palm Beach to Fort Pierce, call (561) 557-8686 now for a free, confidential consultation. We answer 24/7, and the first hours matter.
On This Page:
- What you’re really facing
- Charges we defend
- Our defense method
- Self-defense and Stand Your Ground
- Bail and pretrial release
- Penalties and mandatory minimums
- Hidden defenses competitors miss
- Collateral consequences
- Your defense team
- Palm Beach County courts
- Our promise to you
- Frequently asked questions
What Are the Real Consequences of a Violent Crimes Charge in Florida?
In Florida, violent felonies carry some of the harshest exposure in the criminal code, and the sentence you serve is driven by the offense degree plus mandatory minimums that a judge cannot waive. A second-degree felony aggravated battery under Fla. Stat. § 784.045 carries up to 15 years. First-degree murder under Fla. Stat. § 782.04 is a capital felony — death or life without parole. There’s no softening that reality.
Here’s the part most people don’t see coming. Florida’s 10-20-Life law under Fla. Stat. § 775.087 attaches a 10-year mandatory minimum for possessing a firearm during an enumerated felony, 20 years for discharging it, and 25 years to life if that discharge causes death or great bodily harm. These are calendar minimums — day-for-day time, not parole-eligible ranges. A prosecutor who adds a firearm allegation to a robbery can transform a case that might have resolved into one that carries a decade of untouchable prison time.
Key Takeaways
- First-degree murder in Florida is a capital felony punishable by death or life without parole (Fla. Stat. § 782.04) — there is no lesser statutory maximum.
- Florida’s 10-20-Life statute (Fla. Stat. § 775.087) imposes firearm mandatory minimums of 10, 20, and 25-years-to-life that a judge cannot reduce.
- Under Fla. Stat. § 776.032, once a defendant raises a valid Stand Your Ground claim, the prosecution must overcome it by clear and convincing evidence at a pretrial immunity hearing.
- Aggravated battery is a second-degree felony (up to 15 years); simple battery is a first-degree misdemeanor, but a second battery conviction becomes a third-degree felony.
- All Palm Beach County felony cases are heard at the Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse in West Palm Beach.
The weight goes beyond the courtroom. A violent felony conviction ends careers, closes off housing, strips firearm rights, and — for non-citizens — can trigger removal under 8 U.S.C. § 1227. Prosecutors know this bargaining power. Our job is to take it away from them.
This is where our approach starts.
What Violent Crime Charges Do We Defend in West Palm Beach?
We defend the full range of violent offenses in Florida, from misdemeanor assault to capital murder, and we build every case as if it’s going to trial. Our team has handled murder, armed robbery, armed kidnapping, aggravated battery, and attempted first-degree murder cases across the 15th Judicial Circuit and beyond.
Understanding what you’re actually charged with is the first step, because Florida draws sharp lines between similar-sounding offenses.
Assault under Fla. Stat. § 784.011 is an intentional threat by word or act that creates a well-founded fear of imminent violence. No touching is required — the threat itself is the crime. Simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 60 days.
Battery under Fla. Stat. § 784.03 is different: it requires an actual, intentional touching or striking against the person’s will. Simple battery is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year, but a second or subsequent battery conviction becomes a third-degree felony.
Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery
The “aggravated” versions raise the stakes dramatically. Aggravated assault under Fla. Stat. § 784.021 is an assault committed with a deadly weapon or with intent to commit a felony — a third-degree felony carrying up to 5 years. Aggravated battery under Fla. Stat. § 784.045 involves great bodily harm, permanent disability, a deadly weapon, or a victim known to be pregnant, and carries up to 15 years. When a firearm enters the picture, 10-20-Life can override the ordinary sentencing range entirely.
Homicide and Attempted Murder
Homicide charges span a wide spectrum. First-degree murder (premeditated or felony murder) is capital. Second-degree murder — a killing evincing a depraved mind — is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life. Third-degree felony murder carries up to 15 years. Manslaughter under Fla. Stat. § 782.07 — a killing by act, procurement, or culpable negligence — is a second-degree felony, while aggravated manslaughter variants reach up to 30 years. Attempted murder charges the same intent with an incomplete act. If your case involves a vehicular death, our manslaughter defense team and second-degree murder attorneys handle these matters directly.
Robbery and Kidnapping
Robbery under Fla. Stat. § 812.13 is a taking by force, violence, assault, or fear. With a firearm or deadly weapon, it becomes a first-degree felony punishable by up to life. Kidnapping under Fla. Stat. § 787.01 is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life, and false imprisonment under Fla. Stat. § 787.02 is a third-degree felony. Related charges like battery, resisting arrest, and false imprisonment each carry their own defenses.
If the charge you’re facing isn’t listed here, call us anyway. The label on the arrest paperwork is a starting point, not a verdict.
How Does The Meltzer & Bell Violent Crimes Charge Deconstruction Work?
We don’t hand every client the same playbook. The Meltzer & Bell Violent Crimes Charge Deconstruction is our five-part method for dismantling the state’s violence narrative before it ever reaches a jury. It’s built on the fact that many of our attorneys spent years as prosecutors deciding how to charge these exact cases.
Step 1: Prosecutorial Charging Analysis
We start by asking why the state charged what it charged. Several of our shareholders, including Lawrence Meltzer and Ari Goldberg, spent years as Assistant State Attorneys in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Meltzer transitioned from a 4+ year career as a Special Unit Prosecutor; Goldberg prosecuted hundreds of cases in the 15th Judicial Circuit. That experience means we recognize overcharging — counts stacked beyond what the evidence supports to create plea pressure — and we attack the weakest counts first.
Step 2: Fourth Amendment Suppression Review
Partner Stephan Dobrinsky, who spent 13+ years in criminal defense and focuses on Fourth Amendment suppression, drives an early review of every search, seizure, and statement in the file. When evidence was obtained unlawfully, a motion to suppress can strip the state of what it needs to proceed. A motion to suppress is a formal request asking the court to exclude evidence gathered in violation of your constitutional rights — and a granted suppression motion can gut a prosecution’s case.
Step 3: Stand Your Ground and Self-Defense Mapping
Where the facts support it, we build self-defense and Stand Your Ground arguments from day one rather than saving them for trial. Dobrinsky’s record includes a second-degree murder case dismissed on a Stand Your Ground motion where the prosecution sought 50 years.
Step 4: Witness and Victim Statement Deconstruction
Former public defenders on our team who’ve handled thousands of violent crime allegations know how to isolate contradictions in eyewitness and complainant accounts. Small inconsistencies in a statement can unravel the state’s theory.
Step 5: Jury Trial Contingency Build
Because our attorneys have tried hundreds of felony cases and one partner is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar, every violent crimes defense is built assuming trial is the destination. That preparation is itself bargaining power at the negotiating table.
Not sure which of these applies to your case? That’s exactly what a free consultation is for. No pressure — just honest answers about where you stand.
What’s the Difference Between Self-Defense and Stand Your Ground in Florida?
In Florida, self-defense is a legal justification you raise at trial, while Stand Your Ground is a pretrial immunity from prosecution — and the distinction can decide whether your case ever reaches a jury. Both flow from Fla. Stat. § 776.012, which establishes that a person lawfully present has no duty to retreat and may use deadly force when reasonably believing it necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or a forcible felony.
The procedural power lives in Fla. Stat. § 776.032. Once a defendant raises a prima facie Stand Your Ground claim, the prosecution — not the defense — must overcome it by clear and convincing evidence at a pretrial immunity hearing. That burden shift is significant. If the court grants immunity, the charges are dismissed and never go to a jury.
Key insight: Most people assume Stand Your Ground only matters at trial. In our experience, the immunity hearing is where these cases are won or lost — long before jury selection. Building that record early, preserving scene evidence and witness accounts before memories fade, is what separates a dismissal from a conviction.
If you acted to protect yourself or your family, that story needs to be documented and argued correctly from the start. Call us before you give another statement.
What Bail and Pretrial Release Options Exist for Violent Crime Defendants?
In Florida, pretrial release for a violent felony depends on the charge, and the most serious offenses can be held with no bond at all. For a capital or life felony where the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption great, a judge may deny bond entirely after an Arthur hearing — a special proceeding where the state must show its evidence is strong enough to justify holding you without bail.
For most other violent felonies, the court sets conditions: cash bail, a surety bond through a bondsman, or in some cases release on your own recognizance. When a bond is set, our firm can request a Nebbia hearing — a proceeding where the source of the bond money must be shown to be legitimate before release. We handle Nebbia hearing matters and know how prosecutors use them to delay release.
This is a gap most violent crimes pages ignore entirely. Getting released quickly and on manageable terms matters, because a defendant preparing a defense from home helps their own case far more than one sitting in the Palm Beach County Jail. We move fast on bond arguments, and we push back when the state overreaches on conditions.
The clock on pretrial strategy starts at the first appearance. Waiting costs options.
What Are the Penalties and Mandatory Minimums for Violent Crimes in Florida?
Florida violent crime penalties follow the offense degree, then stack mandatory minimums on top. The degree cap sets the ceiling; the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet under Fla. Stat. § 921.0024 sets the floor. A statutory maximum is not the typical sentence — but with mandatory minimums, the floor can be brutal.
Here’s how the core charges break down.
| Charge | Classification | Statutory Maximum | Mandatory Minimum Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Assault (§ 784.011) | 2nd-degree misdemeanor | 60 days county jail | None |
| Simple Battery (§ 784.03) | 1st-degree misdemeanor | 1 year county jail | None (2nd conviction = felony) |
| Aggravated Assault (§ 784.021) | 3rd-degree felony | 5 years | 10-20-Life if firearm involved |
| Aggravated Battery (§ 784.045) | 2nd-degree felony | 15 years | 10-20-Life if firearm involved |
| Robbery with Firearm (§ 812.13) | 1st-degree felony | Up to life | 10-yr firearm min (20 if discharged) |
| Manslaughter (§ 782.07) | 2nd-degree felony | 15 years | Varies by aggravator |
| Second-Degree Murder (§ 782.04) | 1st-degree felony | Up to life | 25-to-life if firearm caused death |
| First-Degree Murder (§ 782.04) | Capital felony | Death or life without parole | Life minimum |
The 10-20-Life framework under Fla. Stat. § 775.087 reclassifies enumerated felonies one degree upward when a weapon is carried, then layers firearm mandatory minimums: 10 years for possession, 20 for discharge, 25-to-life when discharge causes death or great bodily harm. These are day-for-day terms.
A firearm allegation is the single biggest driver of exposure we see in violent crime cases. Removing or defeating it — through suppression, factual challenge, or negotiation — is often the difference between a manageable outcome and a decade of untouchable prison time.
If you’ve received charging paperwork, we can review it for free and tell you exactly what mandatory minimums apply.
What Hidden Defenses Do Most Violent Crime Cases Overlook?
The strongest violent crime defenses are often procedural, not dramatic — and they’re the ones generic firms skip. Beyond self-defense, real bargaining power frequently lives in how the evidence was gathered, how witnesses were handled, and what the prosecution has to disclose.
Suppression of Unlawfully Obtained Evidence
The Fourth Amendment bars unreasonable searches and seizures. When police search without a valid search warrant, exceed the warrant’s scope, or coerce a statement without proper Miranda warnings, that evidence can be excluded. Partner Stephan Dobrinsky has built his practice around exactly these motions, and a granted suppression motion can collapse a case that looked airtight on paper.
Brady Material and Discovery Violations
Under Brady v. Maryland, the prosecution must disclose exculpatory evidence — anything favorable to the defense. Video that contradicts a witness, an alternate suspect, a lab report with problems: prosecutors don’t always volunteer it. Former prosecutors on our team know where this material hides and how to demand it.
Mental Health and Diminished Capacity
Florida recognizes an insanity defense, and mental state distinctions — premeditation, recklessness, culpable negligence — separate murder from manslaughter and can drop the charge degree entirely. Dobrinsky’s practice includes mental health cases involving sentencing and insanity issues. This is delicate, fact-intensive work that requires expert testimony done right.
Witness Credibility and Forensic Challenges
Partner Whitney Duteau, Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar, secured an acquittal for a client facing multiple life sentences on burglary, false imprisonment, and firearms charges despite DNA evidence and co-defendant testimony. DNA and eyewitness identification are not infallible, and cross-examination exposes the gaps.
What most people miss: A conviction avoided at the suppression stage is worth more than any trial victory, because it costs the client nothing in risk. We look for the procedural exit first, then build for trial.
If any of this sounds like your situation, it’s worth a conversation about which defenses fit your facts.
What Collateral Consequences Follow a Violent Crime Conviction?
A violent crime conviction in Florida reaches far past the sentence — it can permanently restrict firearm rights, employment, housing, and immigration status. These collateral consequences often outlast the prison term itself, and planning for them is part of a real defense strategy.
A felony conviction strips your right to possess a firearm under both state law and 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Employers running background checks see the record, and many professions with state licensing boards treat a violent felony as disqualifying — our firm handles the professional and license fallout that follows a conviction. Housing applications, especially for federally assisted housing, frequently reject violent felony records.
For non-citizens, the stakes climb higher. Many violent offenses are deportable under 8 U.S.C. § 1227 or create inadmissibility bars under 8 U.S.C. § 1182. We factor immigration consequences into every plea discussion, because a resolution that looks good on paper can still end in removal.
Some records can eventually be sealed or expunged, though violent felony convictions face strict eligibility limits. We evaluate record sealing and expungement options honestly rather than overpromising.
We build defense strategy around the whole life impact, not just the number of years. Avoiding the conviction, or reducing the charge to something that preserves your future, is the goal from day one.
Who Are the Attorneys on Your West Palm Beach Violent Crimes Team?
Your case is handled by attorneys who have spent their careers in Florida’s criminal courts — former prosecutors who know how the state builds cases and former public defenders who have tried hundreds of them. Here are the shareholders and partners who lead our violent crimes defense.
Steven Bell, Shareholder — With over 20 years of criminal defense experience, Steven rose to Felony Public Defender in the Broward County Public Defender’s Office before entering private practice in 2007, defending hundreds of felony cases ranging from misdemeanors to complex severe felonies. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Lawrence Meltzer, Shareholder — A former Assistant State Attorney and Special Unit Prosecutor in Broward County, Lawrence brings insider knowledge of prosecution strategy to serious felony defense, including murder, armed robbery, and armed kidnapping cases.
Ari Goldberg, Shareholder — A former Assistant State Attorney in Palm Beach County who prosecuted hundreds of cases in the 15th Judicial Circuit, Ari now defends complex felony matters and has been featured on WPTV, WPEC, and CBS News.
Stephan Dobrinsky, Partner — With 13+ years in criminal defense, Stephan focuses on Fourth Amendment suppression motions and Stand Your Ground defenses. He won a second-degree murder dismissal on a Stand Your Ground motion where the state sought 50 years.
Whitney Duteau, Partner — Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar (2025), Whitney secured an acquittal for a client facing multiple life sentences on burglary, false imprisonment, and firearms charges despite DNA and co-defendant testimony.
Our firm is a 10-attorney team with over 500 combined jury trials. To see the full roster and additional partners, including David Goudreau, Rachel Newman, Paul Bernard, Howard Schumacher, and Danielle Schey, visit our criminal defense homepage or review our case results.
Defending Violent Crimes in the 15th Judicial Circuit
All Palm Beach County felony cases are heard at the Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse — the Main Courthouse of the 15th Judicial Circuit at 205 N. Dixie Highway in downtown West Palm Beach. If you’re facing a violent felony anywhere in the county, this is where your case will be prosecuted, and knowing the building, the division practices, and the prosecutors matters.
We’re a short walk from that courthouse, in the heart of a downtown bordered by the I-95 corridor and Okeechobee Boulevard. We appear here constantly, and our former-prosecutor attorneys once worked these same hallways from the State Attorney’s Office side. That familiarity shapes how we read a filing decision and anticipate the state’s next move.
Our reach extends across the region we serve — Broward, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Miami-Dade counties — with additional offices in Fort Lauderdale, Stuart, Fort Pierce, and Lake Worth Beach. In Lake Worth Beach, note that there is no city police department; arrests there are made by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 14 deputies, a detail that affects how we approach the arrest record.
Local knowledge is not a slogan for us — it’s the product of years spent in these specific courtrooms on both the prosecution and defense sides. That’s the vantage point we bring to your case.
Court deadlines move quickly once charges are filed. The sooner we begin, the more options remain.
The Meltzer & Bell Promise
We make three concrete commitments to every violent crimes client.
First, you get a real conversation, fast. When you call, you speak with someone about your actual situation — not a screening script. We answer 24/7 because arrests don’t keep business hours, and the first hours after an arrest often shape the whole case.
Second, an experienced attorney handles your case — not a rotating cast. A serious felony gets serious attention from shareholders and partners who have tried these cases. You’ll know who is representing you and how to reach them.
Third, we’re transparent about cost. Your first consultation is free and confidential. We discuss the fee structure directly during that first call, and many matters are handled on a flat fee so you know the cost upfront. Payment plans are available in appropriate cases. Going without an experienced defense in a violent felony is rarely the cheaper path — the cost of getting it wrong dwarfs the cost of getting it right.
Worried your situation is too serious or too far gone? A short call will tell you where you actually stand. Call (561) 557-8686.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation.
Talk to a West Palm Beach Violent Crimes Lawyer Today
A violent crime charge carries mandatory minimums that a judge cannot waive and consequences that follow you for life. The window to challenge evidence, preserve a self-defense record, and fight for a manageable pretrial release is open now — and it narrows with every passing day.
Meltzer & Bell brings former prosecutors, former public defenders, a Board Certified criminal trial attorney, and over 500 combined jury trials to your defense. Call (561) 557-8686 for a free, confidential consultation. We serve West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Lake Worth Beach, and the surrounding counties, and we answer around the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I go to jail for a violent crime charge in Florida?
It depends heavily on the charge and the evidence. Some violent felonies in Florida carry mandatory minimum sentences a judge cannot waive, while other cases can end in reduced charges, dismissal, or non-prison sentences. The single biggest factor is often whether a firearm allegation applies under the 10-20-Life law. We evaluate your specific charges during a free consultation and explain exactly what exposure you face.
How much does a violent crimes attorney cost in West Palm Beach?
Your first consultation with our firm is free and confidential. Many violent crime cases are handled on a flat fee so you know the total cost before you retain us, and payment plans are available in appropriate situations. We discuss the fee structure directly during your first call. Going without experienced defense on a serious felony is rarely the cheaper path in the long run.
What is the difference between assault and battery in Florida?
In Florida, assault under Fla. Stat. § 784.011 is an intentional threat that creates a well-founded fear of imminent violence, and no physical contact is required. Battery under Fla. Stat. § 784.03 requires an actual, intentional touching or striking against the person’s will. Assault is the threat; battery is the contact. Both carry harsher “aggravated” versions when a weapon or serious injury is involved.
Can I use Stand Your Ground as a defense in West Palm Beach?
Yes, if the facts support it. Under Fla. Stat. § 776.032, once you raise a valid Stand Your Ground claim, the prosecution must overcome it by clear and convincing evidence at a pretrial immunity hearing. If the court grants immunity, your charges are dismissed and never reach a jury. Building that record early, before evidence and witness memories fade, is critical, so call us before giving further statements.
What does 10-20-Life mean for my case?
Florida’s 10-20-Life law under Fla. Stat. § 775.087 imposes firearm mandatory minimums on certain violent felonies: 10 years for possessing a firearm, 20 years for discharging it, and 25 years to life if the discharge causes death or great bodily harm. These are day-for-day terms a judge cannot reduce. Defeating or removing the firearm allegation is often the most important part of the defense.
How long do I have before I need a lawyer after a violent crime arrest?
Immediately. The hours right after an arrest often shape the entire case, from bond arguments at first appearance to preserving self-defense evidence before it disappears. Waiting costs you options on suppression, pretrial release, and pre-charge negotiation. Our firm answers 24/7, so there’s no reason to face the first appearance without counsel.
Can a violent crime charge be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes, depending on the evidence and procedure. We pursue reductions and dismissals where the evidence is weakest, attacking overcharged counts, moving to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, exposing witness inconsistencies, and raising self-defense immunity. Our former prosecutors know where cases are vulnerable. Every outcome depends on the specific facts, which is why a case review matters.
What happens to my gun rights if I’m convicted?
A felony conviction in Florida strips your right to possess a firearm under both state law and federal law at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). This is one of many collateral consequences that outlast the sentence itself, alongside employment, housing, and, for non-citizens, immigration effects. We factor these long-term impacts into every plea discussion rather than looking only at prison time.
Do you handle murder and homicide cases in Palm Beach County?
Yes. Our team defends first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, and attempted murder cases, and our firm includes attorneys with experience in the most serious felony matters. These cases are prepared for trial from day one and heard at the Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse in West Palm Beach. Call us as early as possible, because homicide investigations move fast.
Can I get bond on a violent felony charge?
It depends on the charge. For capital or life felonies where the proof is evident, a judge can deny bond entirely after an Arthur hearing. For most other violent felonies, the court sets conditions such as cash bail or a surety bond, and we can challenge excessive conditions or handle a Nebbia hearing when the source of bond funds is questioned. We move quickly on pretrial release because preparing a defense from home strengthens your case.
