If you were charged with aggravated battery in West Palm Beach, FL, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Meltzer & Bell, P.A.. Our attorneys are representing clients throughout Palm Beach County with a variety of violent crimes. Call for a free consultation. We can talk with you about the pending charges, the potential penalties and the best ways to fight a false or exaggerated accusation. We know the best ways to fight false and exaggerated allegations of violence.
Whether you were charged with aggravated battery great bodily harm or aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, let us put our experience to work for you. Call (561) 557-8686 today.
Elements of Aggravated Battery under Florida Statute 784.045(1)(a)
Crimes for aggravated battery can be found in Title XLVI of Chapter 784. Under Florida Statute 784.045(1)(a), the crime of aggravated battery involves an allegation that a person:
- used a deadly weapon;
- knowingly and intentionally caused permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, or great bodily harm;
- commits the battery against a woman who is pregnant when the defendant knew or should have known of the pregnancy.
Different forms of aggravated battery can include the following:
- 784.045 Battery/ Aggravated
- 784.045(1)(a) Battery/Aggravated/Great Bodily Harm
- 784.045(1)(a) Battery/Aggravated/Great Bodily Harm
- 784.045 Battery/Aggravated/Law Enforcement Of?cer
- 784.045(1)(b) Battery/Aggravated/of a Pregnant Victim
- 784.045(1)(a) Battery/Aggravated/With a Firearm
Any of these forms of aggravated battery under Florida Statute 784.045(2) are charged as a second-degree felony which is punishable by up to 15 years in Florida State Prison and a $10,000 fine.
Aggravated Battery vs Aggravated Assault
In Florida, the criminal offense of “assault” is defined as the threat of bodily harm when that threat reasonably causes fear of harm in the victim. On the other hand, the crime of “battery” involves actual physical contact with the other person, usually because of an offensive touching such as a punch, push or slap.
When a person is not actually been touched, but the defendant is accused of threatening that person, then the crime is charged as an assault. When the parties are related domestically, then the crime can be charged as a domestic assault in Palm Beach County, FL. Related charges include domestic violence by strangulation.
This article was last updated on Thursday, October 13, 2016.
