Source: http://www.husseinandwebber.com/crimes/weapons-crimes/shooting-or-throwing-deadly-missiles/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 20:43:24+00:00

Document:
In Florida, Shooting or Throwing a ‘Deadly Missile’ is the projection of a dangerous object at a building, vehicle, or vessel, with wanton or malicious intent. The offense carries felony penalties that often include jail or prison.
In Florida, shooting or throwing a ‘deadly missile’ occurs where a person, with wanton or malicious intent, shoots or projects a dangerous object at a building, vehicle, aircraft, or vessel.
Whoever, wantonly or maliciously, shoots at, within, or into, or throws any missile or hurls or projects a stone or other hard substance which would produce death or great bodily harm, at, within, or in any public or private building, occupied or unoccupied, or public or private bus or any train, locomotive, railway car…or vehicle of any kind which is being used or occupied by any person, or any boat, vessel, ship, or barge lying in or plying the waters…or aircraft flying through the airspace…shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree.
The act was done wantonly or maliciously.
Aircraft flying through the airspace. Id. at 1192.
To sustain a conviction for Shooting or Throwing a Deadly Missile, the prosecution must establish that the defendant’s conduct was ‘wanton’ or ‘malicious’ in nature.
The term ‘wantonly’ is defined in the Florida Standard Jury Instructions to mean consciously and intentionally, with reckless indifference to consequences and with the knowledge that damage is likely to be done to some person.
‘Maliciously’ means wrongfully, intentionally, without legal justification or excuse, and with the knowledge that injury or damage will or may be caused to another person or the property of another person.
Thus, where the acts in question result from a defendant’s confusion, disorientation, or negligence, a conviction cannot be sustained. Gonedes v. State, 574 So.2d 1198 1199 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991).
Where the charge concerns an object or “missile” that is shot, thrown, or projected at a non-building, the target structure must generally be occupied or in use in order to subject the defendant to criminal liability. Paul, 129 So. 3d at 1062.
Thus, where a vehicle is concerned, the offense necessarily involves the use of physical force or violence against an individual who is using or occupying the vehicle. Id.
The term ‘Missile’ has no precise definition under Florida law. At least one appellate court has defined “missile” as any object or weapon that is fired, thrown, dropped, or otherwise projected at a target, and, as such, “would produce death or great bodily harm.” J. W. B. v. State, 419 So. 2d 407, 408 (Fla. 2d DCA 1982).
However, the object must be identifiable and one that is capable of producing death or great bodily harm. E.J. v. State, 554 So. 2d 578, 579 (Fla. 3d DCA 1989) (reversing adjudication of delinquency for throwing a deadly missile where witnesses could not say what the object was). D.B.C. v. State, 341 So. 2d 230 (Fla. 1st DCA 1976); Carter v. State, 469 So. 2d 775 (Fla. App. 1st DCA 1984) (stating that the object must be capable of causing death or great bodily harm).
Florida courts have identified a wide variety of objects that may constitute a “missile” for purposes of a Shooting or Throwing Missiles charge. Fruit, drink bottles, rocks, metal objects, and a wide range of other items have all been found to be “missiles” for purposes of criminal prosecution.
Carter v. State, 469 So. 2d 775 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984) (metal lock).
In Florida, Shooting or Throwing a Deadly Missile is a second degree felony, punishable by up to fifteen (15) years in prison or 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
Police acquired evidence of the offense through an unlawful search, seizure, or interrogation.
If you have been arrested for throwing or shooting a deadly missile, contact Hussein & Webber, PL today for a free consultation. Our criminal attorneys handle cases Jacksonville, Orlando, and the surrounding counties of northeast and central Florida.

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