Accused of Battery With a Weapon in Florida?
Any allegation that you have committed a crime of violence is serious, but penalties and life repercussions increase dramatically when prosecutors charge a felony offense such as aggravated battery or aggravated assault. The sooner you contact a skilled, active criminal defense lawyer at our firm, the sooner we will be able to offer sound legal guidance and representation that could make all the difference for your future.
Under Florida law, aggravated battery charges most often involve the alleged use of a deadly weapon or intentional infliction of "great bodily harm." Some differences between this charge and lesser ones of misdemeanor or felony battery are often subtle and subjective, but simply displaying a gun will almost always expose the accused to maximum penalties that can extend to a 10-20-25 year mandatory prison sentence. Ten years if you use a gun, 20 if you shoot it, 25 if you shoot someone.
Forcing the Prosecution to Prove Every Aspect of Its Case Against You
In the determined effort to earn a dismissal, acquittal or reduced charges and consequences for you, we may pursue angles of defense, including contesting:
- Whether the accuser legitimately suffered great bodily harm or permanent injury
- Whether you possessed or had any intent to use a deadly weapon — and weather certain types of weapons such as stun guns and small knives can be considered deadly weapons
- The facts of an altercation or attack, which may have included threats or fears on both sides and an element of self-defense
Our Fort Myers aggravated battery attorneys are trial-proven veterans and tenacious negotiators who tackle each case as if our own families and futures were on the line. In felony cases, we engage closely with our client to define goals, options and a mutual strategy for approaching the case. We are prepared to call on qualified experts in ballistics, forensic science, psychology, sociology and other fields to strengthen your battery defense.
If you have been charged with any form of battery, assault, domestic violence or another serious offense in a Florida Gulf Coast community, asking those who follow the legal world will likely lead you to The Wilbur Smith Law Firm. We are responsive to our clients every day and around the clock, and we encourage you to call for a consultation right now.
