Aggravated assault in Florida occurs when a person intentionally causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another. Learn about state laws and your legal options when accused of aggravated assault.
When facing criminal charges in Florida, it’s difficult to understand the charges and the potential penalties you face. That’s particularly true when you face aggravated assault charges. Like many offenses, aggravated assault charges can impact your life severely, which is why you need to know your legal options to avoid a conviction.
An aggravated assault conviction in Florida has life-long ramifications. Read on to find out more about aggravated assault sentencing in Florida, potential penalties, common defenses, and how a violent crime lawyer at the law offices of Meltzer & Bell, P.A. can help.
What is Aggravated Assault?
Florida Statute § 784.021 defines aggravated assault as a severe form of simple assault. While simple assault primarily entails threatening to verbally or physically harm someone, aggravated assault involves an apparent ability to carry out the threat.
Suppose you threaten to shoot your neighbor for parking their car in your spot. That is considered simple assault. Nonetheless, threatening your neighbor while holding a gun is considered aggravated assault. Thus, aggravated assault charges primarily rely on the circumstances of the crime.
Under Florida law, aggravated assault involves the use of a deadly weapon with the intent to commit murder or a felony. It’s generally a third-degree felony but can get prosecuted as a second-degree felony if it involves special victims.
Who Are the “Special Victims”?
Florida outlines the so-called “special victims” who suffer attacks when engaged in professional duties. They include:
- Law enforcement officers.
- Firefighters.
- Public transport employees.
- Emergency healthcare providers.
- Parking enforcement officers.
- Code inspectors.
There’s also a category of “special victims” who don’t need to be performing their professional duties at the time of the assault. They include:
- Investigators or employees of the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.
- School employees.
- Persons aged over 65.
- Elected federal, state, or local officials.
- Detainees or visitors in a correctional facility/jail.
Differences Between Florida State and Federal Statutes
The legal definition of aggravated assault varies from state to state. In some states, the offense is called felonious assault. Nonetheless, the state and federal government view and charge aggravated assault similarly. It’s equally essential to remember that federal statutes may come into play when facing aggravated assault charges, which is why you need a criminal defense attorney to defend your rights.
Aggravated Assault Without Using a Firearm
There’s a misconception that aggravated assault with a deadly weapon implies the use of firearms. That’s far from the truth because Florida statutes define a deadly weapon as any instrument or object that can cause great bodily harm. This includes baseball bats, broken bottles, vehicles, rocks, and knives.
Under Florida law, you can also face aggravated assault charges if you commit an offense while intending to commit another felony. So, you can get convicted for aggravated assault if you assault a security guard before robbing a drug store.
Aggravated Assault vs. Aggravated Battery: What’s the Difference?
According to Florida law, assault and battery are two different crimes, but they can be committed concurrently. The primary distinction between the two crimes is that aggravated assault involves fear of immediate harm, whereas battery involves intentional and unwanted contact.
For instance, if you corner another individual while holding a deadly weapon and threaten them, the victim will have a fear of getting harmed. That constitutes assault, and you don’t have to touch the victim to face charges. Conversely, battery involves hitting the victim.
Thus, the main difference between aggravated assault and aggravated battery is that the former involves the intent to cause harm, whereas the latter entails causing harm. The two charges aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive but often get charged together, especially when actual contact is made.
Penalties for Aggravated Assault in Florida
Most assault cases in Florida get charged as misdemeanors, but aggravated assault cases are more serious. Florida law categorizes aggravated assault as a third-degree felony that can result in up to five years imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, and/or probation. As with most felonies, harsher penalties may come into play depending on various factors.
These factors can potentially increase your charges. Say you get accused of shooting at the victim during the incident. You may face up to twenty years in jail. Moreover, if you commit aggravated assault while committing another crime, you can face separate charges for the other offense.
The potential penalties you face when convicted of aggravated assault are severe and can turn your life upside-down. For this reason, you should retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help reduce your charges or have them quashed altogether. The aggressive lawyers at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. are ready to defend your rights and secure the best possible outcome.
Defenses to Aggravated Assault Charges
Your future can be at stake if you face aggravated assault sentencing, but a violent crime lawyer can give you a second shot at life. Some of the defenses we can use to get you off the hook include:
Conditional Threat
Your attorney may argue that the statement you made doesn’t necessarily constitute a crime. Based on this, we may point out that you should face misdemeanor charges such as disorderly conduct.
Idle Threats
Another common defense is that your words were a mere idle threat unaccompanied by any physical activity to justify the belief that you wanted to harm the other party. As such, you can’t be accused of assault.
Unreasonable Fear
We can also argue that while getting “threatened,” your accuser taunted you and didn’t believe you’d follow through with your threat. Thus, their claim of aggravated assault is petty and unreasonable because they didn’t feel threatened.
Contact a Florida Aggravated Assault Attorney
If you or a loved one is accused of aggravated assault, you can count on the attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. in West Palm Beach for skilled advice and representation. We know too well that a lot is at stake, and can do everything to protect your right and secure the best possible outcome.
From the onset, a top-rated violet crimes lawyer will be assigned to your case, analyze its facts, and build a foolproof defense. Contact us to schedule a free case consultation.
