Opinion ID: 77052
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Florida's Aggravated Battery Statute

Text: 7 As noted earlier, Sosa-Martinez pled nolo contendere to aggravated battery in violation of Fla. Stat. Ann. § 784.045. Section 784.045 provides that: 8 (1)(a) A person commits aggravated battery who, in committing battery: 9
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11 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 784.045 (emphasis added). Thus, to be convicted of either prong of aggravated battery in Florida, a defendant necessarily must be found to have committed simple battery. Arnold v. State, 514 So.2d 419, 421 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1987) (battery is a necessarily included lesser offense of . . . aggravated battery). 12 Further, Florida's simple battery statute provides that: 13
14 1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or 15 2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person. 16 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 784.03 (emphasis added). The statutory elements of battery are: an actual and intentional touching or striking of another person against the will of the other person; or intentionally causing bodily harm to an individual. Hamrick v. State, 648 So.2d 274, 276 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1995) (emphasis added). Thus, an aggravated battery conviction required that Sosa-Martinez: 17 (A) commit a simple battery by intentionally (1) touching or striking another person, or (2) causing bodily harm to another person, and 18 (B) that in committing that battery, he (1) caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement, or (2) used a deadly weapon.