The consequences of a violent crime conviction – which can include assault, battery, robbery, and murder, among other offenses – can have a lasting effect on your freedom, your employment prospects, and your reputation.
Our Clearwater criminal defense attorneys at Fletcher & Fletcher have years of experience fighting these types of charges, and we are ready to get to work building your defense as soon as possible.
An offense that involves the intentional use or threat of physical force or violence is considered a violent crime in Florida, and most of these offenses are felonies.
Unfortunately, a number of people suffer the consequences of being wrongfully accused of violent crimes they did not commit.
To make matters worse, these types of crimes also sometimes result in excessive punishments for those accused. The prosecutor may file criminal charges that are not supported by evidence in cases where someone alleges to have been physically harmed, as emotions run high in such cases.
The most common types of violent crime cases we see include:
In Florida, we have a law called “10-20-Life” which outlines some of the strictest mandatory minimum sentences in the country for those convicted of violent crimes:
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In Florida, only first-degree murder is punishable by death.
Penalties may vary depending on other details of the case, but the following are some typical penalties for felony violent crimes:
In the face of such severe penalties, it is in your best interest to retain an experienced Clearwater violent crimes attorney as soon as you are notified of your charges.
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, originally passed in 2005, provides immunity to those who reasonably fear imminent harm.
The law states:
The law stipulates that if someone is attacked in an area where they have a right to be and isn’t engaged in any unlawful activities, they do not have to retreat and can use the same level of force – including deadly force if deemed necessary – as their attacker.
Shifting the burden of proof to the prosecution, this Florida self-defense statute allows defendants to compel a hearing that requires the state to demonstrate that they were not acting in self-defense.
For a free consultation, contact our Clearwater criminal defense lawyers at Fletcher & Fletcher today. We will put our experience to use for you and help you understand your rights and defend your freedom.
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