Source: https://www.aullslaw.com/criminal-law/violent-crimes/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 08:21:25+00:00

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Compared to other states, Florida has a moderate to moderate-high violent crime rate. In 2011, there were 134 robberies per 100,000 people and 348 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people. This means that law enforcement are on higher alert for incidents of assault, battery, and robbery and will not hesitate to make necessary arrests. These offenses are serious, and come with equally serious consequences. Consulting with an experienced Brooksville defense lawyer is strongly recommended to protect your rights if you have been arrested for a Hernando County violent crime offense.
In addition to the statutory penalties and sanctions that come with a violent crime conviction in Hernando County, Sumter County, or Citrus County, there is the lifelong social stigma of being a violent offender that can be hard to shake. If you have been arrested on a violent crime offense such as assault or battery in Hernando County, Sumter County, Citrus County, or the surrounding areas, including Spring Hill, Brooksville, Timber Pines, Homosassa Springs, Floral City, and Bushnell, Ashley M. Aulls, P.A. understands the need for a strong and comprehensive defense of your rights against such charges.
Guided by a family history of successful legal professionals and 15 years of his own experience defending clients like you, Ashley Aulls treats his clients with respect. He educated them on their case and its path through the criminal process every step of the way, while maintaining open lines of communication. To begin planning your defense against a violent crime charge like robbery in Spring Hill, call (352) 593-4115 today to set up your consultation with Ashley M. Aulls, P.A..
An offense is generally classified as a violent crime in Florida when a threat, force, or physicality occurs between the alleged offender and the alleged victim during the commission of the offense. Sometimes the threats or forcefulness are an offense in and of themselves, as in assault. Other times the threats or physical force are used as a tool in the commission of an offense like robbery in Hernando County.
Assault: Fla. Stat. § 784.011 – In Florida, assault is an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, present with the apparent ability to follow through with the threat, and doing some act which creates a reasonable, well-founded fear in another that such violence is imminent.
Aggravated Assault: Fla. Stat. § 784.021 – Also sometimes known as assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault is an assault committed with a deadly weapon such as a gun or knife without the intent to kill or assault with an intent to commit a felony such as homicide.
Battery: Fla. Stat. § 784.03 – Battery is when a person actually and intentionally strikes another person against his or her will, or intentionally causes harm to another person. Felony battery is for subsequent battery convictions. A conviction means any determination of guilt from a plea at trial, including situations of withheld adjudication.
Aggravated Battery: Fla. Stat. § 784.045 – Aggravated battery can occur under two different circumstances. The first is when the person intentionally or knowingly causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement, or uses a deadly weapon. The second is when the person commits battery on a pregnant woman and knew or should have known that the victim was pregnant.
Robbery: Fla. Stat. § 812.13 – Robbery is the taking of money or other property which may be the subject of larceny or theft from the person or custody of another through the use of force, violence, assault, or causing reasonable fear, with the intent to deprive the person/owner of the money or property for any amount of time.
While simple assault and simple battery are misdemeanors under Florida code, it is important not to discount these violent crimes as minor offenses. Not only do they come with significant criminal penalties, both the arrest and any conviction for battery or assault will show up on your background check as for that specific violent crime offense. Assault, as a second-degree misdemeanor, is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or up to a $500 fine. Battery is a first-degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and $1,000 fine. First-degree misdemeanors must be reported on most Florida job applications.
Additionally, it doesn't take much for a violent crime like assault or battery to be upgraded to a felony or to a higher class of felony. On top of the statutory penalties, felonies in Florida come with sanctions like the loss of certain civil rights and the inability to apply for specific government benefits. Aggravated assault is the upgraded offense for simple assault and a third-degree felony, punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or a maximum of five years in prison.
Battery has two felony offenses, felony battery and aggravated battery. Felony battery is a felony of the third degree, punishable just like aggravated assault at up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to five years in prison. Aggravated battery is a second-degree felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years of prison and a $10,000 fine. All robbery crimes are felonies, with the degree depending on the circumstances of the offense. Simple robbery is a second-degree felony, and comes with the requisite 15 years of prison and $10,000 in fines.
Robbery with a weapon however is a first-degree felony. First-degree felonies have a prison sentence of up to 30 years or life and/or a fine up to $10,000. For first-degree felony robbery committed with a deadly weapon or a firearm, the statute specifies life imprisonment. All of these offenses, misdemeanor or felony, will have a serious impact on your life and future. The social stigma of a violent crime on your record often follows you for the rest of your life. An experienced Hernando, Citrus, and Sumter County defense attorney can fight to protect your rights and your future by implementing a comprehensive defense strategy.
Victim Services - Florida Department of Corrections – The Office of Community Corrections of the Florida Department of Corrections provides assistance to persons who became victims due to a crime committed by an inmate or an individual on parole. These include notifying the victim of the offender's release, crimes compensation, and counseling. This links to the Victim Services page on the DoC's website.
NCVC - National Center for Victims of Crime – The NCVC is a national organization committed to helping victims of crime, with tools like the connect directory for victim service providers, and get help bulletins on the impact of crime and the criminal justice process. The National Center for Victims of Crime also endeavors to serve individuals, families, and communities who have been harmed by violent crime.
If you have been charged with a violent crime offense like assault in Brooksville, Brooksville, Weeki Wachee, High Point, Hernando Beach, Hill 'n Dale, Inverness Highlands, Sugarmill Woods, Lecanto, Wildwood, Lake Panasoffkee, Bushnell, or the surrounding areas contact experienced violent crime defense lawyer Ashley Aulls. Ashley M. Aulls, P.A. was founded on the principle that the client is as important as the case, and you will be treated with respect while receiving open communication and education concerning your offense. To schedule your consultation with Ashley M. Aulls, P.A., call (352) 593-4115 today.

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