Assault
One of the most frequently charged criminal offenses in Orlando, Florida, involving an allegation of violence against a person is the charge of “assault” or “aggravated assault.” If you have been arrested for this offense, it is important to speak to a criminal defense attorney immediately before discussing the facts of the case with any law enforcement officer in Orange County.
Anything you say to law enforcement can be misconstrued, taken out of context, and ultimately used by the prosecuting attorney as evidence against you during trial. Even if you believe what you say is helpful, it may actually turn out to be harmful to your defense..
A conviction for assault or aggravated assault can lead to serious penalties under Florida law, including jail time, fines, loss of an ability to own or possess a firearm, loss of driving privileges, and negative effects on reputation, employment or educational opportunities. Read more to learn about statistics, punishments and penalties for assault and aggravated assault charges prosecuted in Orange County, Florida..
Battery
Anyone can easily be charged with a battery offense, as it is merely touching a person against their will. This can include poking someone, pinching someone, grabbing someone, or a variety of other acts that could be considered battery if they were done intentionally against the other person’s will.Since battery can be almost anything, there are a variety of battery offenses defined under the Florida Statutes, including:
Simple Battery
Felony Battery
Aggravated Battery
Battery by Strangulation
Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Although battery can easily be committed, a conviction can still result in serious penalties, including jail time, fines, loss of an ability to own or possess a firearm, negative effects on employment or educational opportunities, and even possible requirements to register as a sex offender depending on the type of battery.
Stalking / Aggravated Stalking
Stalking charges may arise in situations where a relationship has ended and one party still desires to keep in contact with the other party. These allegations may not be entirely truthful if one party has not clearly drawn a line as to what is acceptable contact and what is not. Other times, someone may be charged with stalking based strictly on what the alleged victim says. Law enforcement officers are permitted to immediately arrest someone without a warrant if the officer has probable cause the arrest occurred. This means the alleged victim could simply accuse the alleged offender of stalking them, and the officer could then make an arrest.
Stalking / Aggravated Stalking
No matter the reason for the stalking allegations, a conviction for misdemeanor stalking charges or aggravated stalking charges could lead to serious repercussions. If you have been accused of a stalking offense, it is important to hire a defense attorney who will represent your best interest.
Stalking Terms under Florida Law
Harass – This term means engaging in a course of conduct, that serves no real purpose, directed at a specific person that causes that person substantial emotional.
Maliciously – This term is defined as intentionally or deliberately causing harm wrongfully without legal justification or excuse.
Cyberstalk – This occurs when a person engages in a course of conduct that has no real purpose, by communicating or causing communication of words, images or language through some form of electronic communication. The conduct must be directed at a specific person, and cause that person substantial emotional distress.
Sexual Violence – This is defined in Florida as any one incident of sexual battery, lewd or lascivious act, luring or enticing a child, sexual performance by a child or any other forcible felony where a sexual act was committed or attempted.
Dating Violence – This term is defined as violence between individuals who have had or currently have an intimate relationship that existed within the past six months, the relationship was characterized by affection or sexual involvement, and the relationship was continuous.
Domestic Violence – This occurs when one person engages in any violent criminal offense that causes injury or death to another family member, household member, or person in a dating relationship.
If you have been charged with assault or another crime in Orlando, Florida, contact the attorneys at Hale, Hale & Jacobson. We will make every effort to help you avoid harsh punishments and find mitigating factors or defenses to have your charges reduced or dismissed. Call the law office of Hale, Hale & Jacobson for a consultation about your violent crime offense today.