When you or your loved one are facing allegations of felony assault in St. Petersburg, it is normal to feel scared. Luckily, a lawyer could give you the peace of mind of knowing you have someone by your side ready to fight for you. You need to fully understand what you are up against and what could happen in court.
Our trusted team of experienced assault attorneys could meet with you to review the charges and discuss the possible defense strategies. We could also help you navigate all the stages of a criminal proceeding, from an investigation to a trial.
As outlined in Florida Statutes § 784.011, an assault is an intentional threat, by either words or actions, to do violence to another person. For a threat to be considered an assault under Florida law, the alleged victim must have a reasonable fear that they are in imminent danger of experiencing harm from the other person. State law recognizes different types of assault.
A misdemeanor assault is a simple assault. Most simple assaults are second-degree misdemeanors that result in a maximum of 60 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500.
A felony assault is more serious or aggravated. In St. Petersburg, a prosecutor would consider an assault to be aggravated if it occurred with the intent to commit another felony crime, such as a burglary, or if it involved the use of a deadly weapon, such as a gun or knife. The prosecution does not need to prove that the defendant had the intent to kill someone to get a conviction. As outlined in Florida Statutes § 784.021, an aggravated assault is a third-degree felony. A conviction could bring a maximum of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Because the potential legal consequences of a felony assault are so harsh, it is critical to work with an experienced legal team who could begin developing a solid defense strategy.
Depending on the individual case’s circumstances, there is often more than one potentially effective defense strategy. For instance, sometimes someone justifiably makes a threat of violence to protect themselves or someone else. A St. Petersburg defendant could argue that rather than committing a felony assault they were acting in self-defense, in defense of someone else, to protect their property, or to prevent someone from committing a crime.
In some situations, the legal team might be able to suppress incriminating evidence that was illegally obtained or tainted. The legal team could work aggressively to strike down the elements of the prosecution’s case, such as by proving that there was no intent or by producing an alibi witness to prove there was a simple case of misidentification. The team of experienced attorneys has a great deal of litigation experience and knows how to craft a defense strategy that is appropriate for the facts of a case.
When you are up against charges of felony assault in St. Petersburg, you have our support. Not only do we have a proven track record of success, but we could also fight for the best possible outcome. Depending on the strength of the prosecution’s case, our trusted attorneys might be able to obtain a dismissal of the charges, a reduction of the charges, a not guilty verdict, or a reduction of the penalties. We do not shy away from tough cases and know how to fight for your rights. Call us today to schedule an initial consultation to get started on your case.