According to the justice department, the FBI arrested about 7500 violent offenders, including gang members, in 2021. Violent crimes involve the use of force and are crimes against humanity. Convicts of violent crimes face extensive prison sentences and heavy fines.
It’s prohibited to have a firearm after you’re convicted of a violent felony in Florida, USA. Besides, a felon might face a death sentence if their misconduct is found to be a serious violent crime.
Florida laws permit those accused of violent crimes to have a criminal defense lawyer if they so wish. Your lawyer will run through the evidence and identify a potential mitigating situation – that can get charges against you reduced or dropped altogether.
There are many types of violent crimes committed by wrongdoers across the world. Here, we discuss the different violent crime offenses in Florida.
Robbery
Robbery involves using violent means or threats to steal money and property that belongs to another person. Some robbery offenses include carjacking, armed robbery, and home invasion.
The amount of violence used during the robbery will determine your sentence length. Violent crime robbery convicts can face a jail sentence of five years to life imprisonment.
Child Abuse
This is the intentional causing of physical and mental injuries to a minor. You can also get charged with child abuse if you encourage another person to commit the crime in Florida.
Aggravated child abuse is the illegal caging of a child or intentionally mistreating and punishing a minor, causing intense harm to their body. A minor can also suffer a permanent disability or disfigurement. In Florida, aggravated child abuse is a first-degree crime.
An investigation against child abuse gets conducted by the Department of Children and Families. The judge will determine if the injury caused great bodily harm to the victim in court.
If no aggravating factors are present, child abuse becomes considered a third-degree felony. A convict can face at least five years imprisonment and a minimum fine of $5000.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping is a first-degree crime in Florida. It involves using force and threats to capture or detain an individual against their will.
Even so, the prosecution must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the accused intended to do the crime.
State laws can punish a kidnapping criminal by life imprisonment in a state prison. The convict may have to pay a fine of up to $15,000.
It would help to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to mount an effective defense against kidnapping charges in a court of law.
Arson Violent Crime
Arson is where the accused damages intentionally or attempts to damage a property using fire or any flammable means. An arsonist risks the charge of a first-degree felony if the prosecution proves that they knew or had reasons to believe that the property had occupants when committing the crime.
An arson convict can face up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 in Florida.
Aggravated Assault and Battery
Arguments and conflicts can get out of control resulting in violence or threats. One or both individuals involved might get arrested for assault and battery.
You risk having a permanent criminal record if you’re convicted of assault and battery.
Aggravated assault is when an offender attacks another person with a deadly weapon with the intent to commit a felony. It’s also a third-degree violent crime. The convict can serve at least five years in jail and pay a fine of $5000.
Aggravated battery involves striking another person to cause severe injuries. You’ll face third-degree felony charges when found guilty of aggravated battery.
Even so, if you commit battery on a law enforcement officer using a deadly weapon, you’ll face more severe penalties.
Rape
This is a form of sexual battery involving the criminal act of forcing physical contact of sexual nature to an individual without their consent. Sexual battery is a second-degree offense.
Still, the consequences can increase if aggravating factors are involved or the victim is underage. A rape convict can serve between a 15-year jail sentence to life imprisonment.
Sex crime convictions will affect your life personal and professional life. You must get yourself a sex crime attorney to help you build a strong defense against rape allegations.
Murder
This is amongst the most serious criminalities in Florida. Murder involves the unlawful killing of a human being. Its charges will vary depending on whether there was intent or not when the crime got committed.
The prosecution will assess the intent of the accused and the prevailing situations in which the murder occurred. Florida laws will determine if the crime is first, second, or third after establishing how the felony got committed.
First-degree murder convicts can face life sentencing or death penalties. Second-degree murder felonies will serve up to 30 years in jail and pay a fine of $10,000.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is accidental killing. But this offense becomes voluntary when the crime was intentional and led to sudden provocation. Some examples of voluntary manslaughter include fights in a bar or domestic violence.
Manslaughter felonies don’t involve premeditation or disregard for human life. Involuntary manslaughter can result from a person’s negligence or recklessness.
Vessel and vehicle homicides are some examples of involuntary manslaughter. You can also face charges of involuntary manslaughter when you accidentally fire a gun and end up killing another person.
Aggravated manslaughter occurs when the victim is a minor, elderly, disabled, firefighter, paramedic, or a law enforcement officer on duty.
Manslaughter convicts of second-degree felonies will serve at least 15 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Aggravated manslaughter charges include a 30-year jail term and a $10,000 fine.
Get Yourself a Criminal Defense Lawyer
After you’re convicted of any violent crime in Florida, you’ll need to look for an expert in criminal law to help you build a defense against your prosecution.
You should hire certified and licensed legal services for your case. An experienced criminal defense attorney will look for loopholes in the evidence against you in court.
Contact us now for more information about violent crimes and the best legal services for you in Florida.
Hanlon Law
600 Cleveland St #1100
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 897-5413
https://www.criminalattorneyclearwater.net
