Why You Need Tampa Defense Lawyer Anthony Rickman on Your Side

You don’t want to show up unprepared to court when you are facing a criminal charge or being accused of a crime. Ignorance of rights, legal nuances, and proper court procedures often leads most people to losing their case. 

When you have to appear in court, there are also numerous standard procedures to be followed. Legal counsel from a knowledgeable defense attorney in Tampa can help pave the way when the consequences exceed a simple fine.

Anthony Rickman is counted among the best defense lawyers in Tampa for good reason. As a defense attorney, he has vast experience, knowledge and expertise when it comes to handling an array of criminal defense cases, including sex crimes, hate crimes, drug trafficking, assault and battery cases, and so on. 

Once you have secured the legal counsel and representation of the Rickman Law Firm, you can rest assured you have a skilled, aggressive, and capable attorney to back you both inside and outside the courtroom.

What makes The Rickman Law Firm stand out from the crowd?

Extensive Understanding of the Judicial System

Anthony Rickman holds immense knowledge about the court system. He is well-versed in the complex processes and procedures of the legal system. Based on your case, he will lead you through the legal procedure. With regards to handling criminal matters, the Rickman Law Firm has many years of experience and niche expertise to assist your criminal defense strategy.

Adept with Standard Court Procedures

When preparing to defend yourself in court, there is a ton of paperwork that has to be processed. With the Rickman Law Firm and its team of skilled criminal attorneys by your side, you do not need to burden yourself with this. 

Most criminal courts have strict deadlines, backlogs, and legal processes that can cause you to neglect your personal obligations. As a result, you need to have the strong backing of a knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense attorney. You are more likely to obtain a plea agreement if the prosecution is aware that you are representing yourself with skill and expertise.

Expert Legal Advice

Anthony Rickman helps create the best legal strategies to support your case’s defense by using the law for your benefit. You can be confident that your defense attorney is well-versed in the legal system and is knowledgeable about all recent changes to the law. He is skilled at defending your rights from the police and the prosecution. 

The Rickman Law Firm thoroughly examines your case to look for any evidence against you that might have been obtained illegally. We capably handle refuting false accusations using convincing proof. With such a skilled criminal defense attorney analyzing your case, you may be able to effectively have criminal charges dropped against you.

Personalized Attention

When accused of a crime, you could feel like the world is against you. You might not feel at ease discussing specifics of your case with those who are close to you. With Anthony Rickman’s sincere and professional legal services on your side, you can freely communicate all of your worries, anxieties, and case-related issues with ease. 

Throughout the procedure, the Rickman Law Firm will be by your side to assist and advise you. Whether it is helping you understand the legal system or decoding defense strategies to avoid longer prison sentences and harsher punishments, choose the best Tampa defense lawyer to bring responsibility, accountability and a solid partnership to the table.

Eye for Detail for Evidence Examination

In Anthony Rickman, clients find a skilled and knowledgeable Tampa defense attorney who is skilled at handling witnesses who embellish the truth in order to support the claimed crime. Additionally, you will receive assistance from our expert defense team with an extensive network of contacts with medical professionals, private investigators, and expert witnesses.

Looking for the Best Criminal Defense Attorney in Tampa, Florida?

Your search ends here! Hire the best federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is knowledgeable, tenacious, and capable both within and outside of the courtroom. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

3 Types of Sex Crimes You May Not Have Heard Of

You are likely to be familiar with most of Florida’s more prevalent sex crimes, including prostitution and rape. However, these are not the only punishable sex offenses in the state. Numerous less well-known sex offenses not only have the same severe, lifelong repercussions as more well-known ones, but are occasionally even committed accidentally because of lack of knowledge about them.

The range of sex offenses that can be committed in the southern part of the US could result in harsh punishments if found guilty. It is important to make sure that you are aware of the laws and your rights before indulging in any kind of sexual activity or conduct. You might also want to ensure that your rights are upheld.

To prevent lifelong repercussions, it is important you speak with a skilled federal defense attorney in Tampa as soon as possible if you are accused of a sex crime. The main objective is to comprehend the laws and lessen the impact of such allegations with legal counsel.

Following are some of the lesser-known sex crimes in Florida with harsh implications:

Statutory Rape and Sexting with Minors

If you are 24 years of age or older and have a sexual relationship with someone who is 17 years of age or younger, you could be charged with statutory rape. Although you might or might not face charges if you are between the ages of 18 and 23, it is still not advisable to have a sexual connection with a minor. 

The issue is that while a kid is legally prohibited from giving consent, even voluntary acts conducted by the minor party are viewed as not being done with their consent. Additionally, if you send explicit photographs of your partner to minors while sexting, you could be charged with child pornography.

One of the most serious sex crimes, child pornography bears lifelong repercussions. You must speak with a Tampa federal defense lawyer right away if you are accused of engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

Indecent Exposure

The act of showing one’s sexual organs in situations where a reasonable person would or should be aware that this act may be observed by others and is likely to be offensive is known as indecent exposure. This normally occurs in a public setting, while it is also possible to do so through an open window in a private setting like one’s house. 

In Florida, indecent exposure is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, 12 months of probation, a $1000 fine, and potentially even registration as a sex offender. The prosecution must demonstrate that the defendant had improper intent, that the exposure took place, and that it did so in a public setting to prosecute for indecent exposure.

Importantly, in Florida, actions like beach nudity and public urinating are typically not regarded as indecent exposure since the prosecution would not be able to prove the defendant’s intention to engage in lascivious behavior. However, these actions should be avoided as they can still result in criminal prosecution.

Intentional Distribution of Non-Consensual Porn

These days, revenge porn has become quite notorious yet commonly resorted to, which is why it has stirred law enforcing authorities into strict action. Sexually explicit photographs are often posted online without the victim’s knowledge, humiliating them and causing them serious suffering. 

In order to account for this, Florida modified its sex crime legislations to include publishing of a sexually explicit image or video of another person to a website as a misdemeanor, if it contains personal identifying information with the aim to cause the person being depicted emotional distress.

Looking for a Federal Defense Attorney in Tampa?

To commit your case to an inexperienced counsel would be a grave mistake given the seriousness of sex crime conviction in Florida. Our skilled federal criminal defense attorneys at The Rickman Law Firm have handled a wide range of sex crime cases, including the lesser-known ones, and we have the knowledge and experience to give you the best legal counsel possible.

Obtain the advice and assistance of the top federal defense lawyer in Tampa who is able, skilled, and aggressive both within and outside of the courtroom. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Fighting Back Against Assault and Battery Charges in Florida

One or both parties may be detained for assault and battery if an argument or disagreement gets out of hand and one party turns violent or threatens someone. A conviction for assault and battery in Florida results in a lifelong criminal record, fines, and jail time due to its severe character. Consider enlisting the assistance of a Tampa assault and battery attorney to help you avoid these effects.

Assault and battery are two separate felonies that carry felony or minor penalties. Many individuals are unsure of the distinction between assault and battery in Florida because these terms are frequently used interchangeably.

When someone intentionally touches, strikes, or injures another person, this is referred to as battery. Threatening to harm someone physically is assaulting that individual. Simple assault and battery offenses are categorised as misdemeanours.

In other words, a battery violation means that there was violent physical contact, such as hitting, whereas an assault is a threat and does not utilize actual violence or touch. In summary, battery offenses are thought to be a little more violent than assault offenses.

How Is Assault Defined in Florida Law?

An assault in Florida is defined as a physical or verbal threat to hurt someone, and the capacity to carry it out. The other person should feel a genuine fear of becoming a victim of violence because of this behavior. If you are found guilty of assault, you might spend up to $500 in fines and 60 days in jail.

The Florida Statute 784.011 defines the components of an assault. Notably, this crime involves threats of violence that cause the victim(s) to worry for their safety rather than any kind of physical contact.

Instances of assault include:

  • To verbally imply that you will punch someone
  • To mimic hitting, striking, or kicking someone
  • To threaten to harm someone else with a weapon

Assaults are classified as second-degree misdemeanors in Florida. However, if a gun or other weapon was used during the offense, the severity of these punishments may rise.

How Is Battery Defined in Florida Law?

According to Florida Statute 784.03, anyone who touches or strikes another person without that person’s consent commits battery. Battery also includes purposely inflicting bodily damage on another person. This offense falls under the first-degree misdemeanor category. Fines and jail time are part of the penalties.

As was previously stated, the term “battery” actually denotes unlawful physical contact. In other words, you could be charged with battery if you touched or hit someone against their will or with the aim to hurt them.

For instance, if you hit the other person during a verbal argument, you can be charged with a crime because you touched the victim and caused injury. The criminal attorneys at Rickman Law Firm frequently handle the following battery cases:

  • Aggravated battery
  • Child abuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Sexual battery
  • Juvenile assault and battery

What are the Potential Defense Strategies Against These Charges?

It would be erroneous to believe that you can handle assault and battery charges on your own, because despite being considered misdemeanors they carry harsh penalties under Florida law. Your best chance of having the charges dropped or reduced is to work with a skilled assault and battery attorney in Tampa, Florida. 

Depending on the circumstances that led to your arrest, your assault and battery lawyer in Tampa will be able to arrive at the best defense out of the following frequently used tactics:

  • Accidental use of force
  • Lack of intent
  • The physical interaction received consent
  • Self-protection to protect oneself from harm
  • The act of defending another individual to get protection

A defendant is exempt from prosecution under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law if they were not participating in an illegal activity when they were attacked by another person. 

According to this law, defendants have the right to defend themselves and use reasonable action, including lethal force, to stop a forcible offence from happening by themselves or another person. A person is not required by law to flee before employing deadly force, even if doing so would have allowed them to do so safely.

Looking for an Assault and Battery Attorney in Tampa?

The repercussions of being found guilty of an assault or battery are far too severe to entrust your case to an untrained lawyer. The Tampa assault and battery lawyers at The Rickman Law Firm have handled countless similar cases and have the knowledge and expertise to give you the best legal defense possible.

Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

What is Capital Sexual Battery in Florida?

Sexual battery, also known as rape, is one of the most vigorously pursued offenses in Florida and carries some of the most severe and long-lasting consequences of any criminal violation. Besides, most rape trials typically come down to the accuser’s word versus the accused’s, complicating the defense of Sexual Battery claims.

The definition of sexual battery and the ensuing penalties are set forth in Florida Statute 794.011. Sexual battery refers to when someone physically coerces another person. Capital sexual battery is one of the examples within the umbrella of sexual battery, others being rape, date rape, child molestation, and child sexual abuse.

The complications of the case usually render untrained lawyers incapable of handling a defense case successfully. Only an experienced sexual battery attorney in Tampa can help you defend a capital sexual battery charge in Florida.

How does Florida Law Define Capital Sexual Battery?

The Florida Statute clearly outlines the conditions and punishments for capital sexual battery. Capital sexual battery is a felony that is committed when a victim under the age of 12 is harmed. It may also involve assaulting the victim or harming their sexual organs. 

For the offense to be considered Capital Sexual Battery, the alleged actor must be 18 years or older in age. If the actor was younger, the crime is then called a life felony. 

If the victim is a child under the age of 12, and the accused individual is related to the victim in a familial or custodial capacity, they may additionally be charged with capital sexual battery. If the victim’s testimony is the only evidence the crime was committed, the criminal may receive a life sentence without the possibility of release unless the victim is proven false.

How does ‘Capital’ Sexual Battery differ from ‘Regular’ Sexual Battery?

In terms of the law, a person suspected of capital sexual battery is not being charged with a separate crime from regular sexual battery. Instead, the phrase relates to the level of felony that, depending on the age of the offender, the victim, and the relationship between the two, can be applied to a charge of committing the crime.

A charge of capital sexual battery, which is exceedingly serious, can only be established through the victim’s evidence. This indicates that no outside evidence is required to establish the crime’s essential ingredients. Because a minor 12 years of age or younger is not considered by the court to be able to consent to the terms of sexual activity, consent is not a defense for this sort of offense. 

The most serious crimes are classified as capital felonies in Florida. Life in jail without the chance of parole is the only sentence that can be given for this crime. Because sexual battery is considered a “dangerous crime” due to its nature, there is typically no bond available for the accused while they are awaiting trial.

Need Help Defending Capital Sexual Battery Charges?

The State of Florida vigorously prosecutes anyone who commits sex crimes, and especially harsher for capital sexual battery. This is why you must seek the assistance of a tenacious lawyer who can vigorously defend you if you have been accused of such a crime.

The Rickman Law Firm in Tampa, Florida, will investigate all available legal avenues to clear your name in such situations. We have tried hundreds of cases in Florida courts as former prosecutors, giving us special advantages that other legal firms just cannot match. 

Hire the best sex crime defense attorney in Tampa who is knowledgeable, tenacious, and capable both within and outside of the courtroom. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

What To Do If You’re Facing Drug Trafficking Charges in Florida

Being accused of drug trafficking in Florida is equivalent to facing the most serious offense the state has to offer. Consequences of conviction can be terrible and life-altering. Florida is a little behind the times compared to other states that have begun to create a fairer system for penalizing those found guilty of nonviolent drug charges.

Even though you are understandably concerned about how the situation may turn out, it is important for you to take the right steps for obtaining a better outcome if you are accused of drug trafficking. You may be able to reduce your punishments or have the drug trafficking case completely dismissed with the assistance of an accomplished drug trafficking defense attorney in Tampa. Here’s all you need to know:

What Qualifies as a Drug Trafficking Crime in Tampa, Florida?

Most people assume that offenses involving drug trafficking entail substantial amounts of illicit substances being moved over international borders. Alternatively, they may believe that they must be caught while dealing drugs for charges to be filed against them.

Unfortunately, you do not qualify for drug trafficking only under these extreme situations. In reality, the majority of accusations related to drug trafficking are simply related to possessing a high quantity of illegal narcotics, no matter where you are in Florida. 

According to Florida Statutes Section 893.135, drug trafficking happens when someone knowingly does any of the following with a significant quantity of prohibited substances:

  • Sells,
  • Purchases,
  • Manufactures,
  • Delivers,
  • Brings into the state,
  • Or knowingly possesses illegal substances either actually or constructively

What is the Penalty for Drug Trafficking Charges in Tampa, Florida?

The penalty for drug trafficking depends on several factors related to your offenses in the state of Florida. 

In Florida, minimum jail terms for drug trafficking offenses start at three years and can go up to fifteen years, depending on the specifics of your case. Without accounting for attorney fees and court costs, fines range from $50,000 to a maximum of $250,000.

You might be given a longer prison term, for instance, if law enforcement finds you in possession of more of a particular substance when they apprehend you. You might also be charged with manslaughter or murder and receive a substantially lengthier term if someone dies because of your drug delivery.

What to Do when Facing Drug Trafficking Charges in Florida?

Contact a Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer in Tampa Immediately

Drug trafficking is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. To defend your rights and help you through the process, you need tenacious legal counsel. One poorly chosen sentence could be the downfall of your defense.

As soon as you can, speak with a Tampa drug trafficking defense lawyer. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the more time they will have to prepare your defense and look for opportunities to win your case.

The best time to hire an attorney is immediately after you post bail. Waiting until you’ve been charged will cost you valuable time and could make your case worse.

Know Your Rights

Knowing your rights will help you keep any potentially damaging information to yourself.

  • You have the right to remain silent and not answer the questions law enforcement asks you. You can choose to remain silent until your attorney arrives to help you.
  • You cannot be unlawfully searched by police. If there is no “probable cause” to believe you have committed a crime, officers cannot examine your property.
Gather All Supporting Evidence Immediately

Work diligently to compile all supporting documentation for your defense as soon as you can. This is because over time, evidence is lost or destroyed, leaving you without the necessary proof to establish your innocence in relation to any accusations made against you.

Evidence tends to change depending on who is telling the story and what charges are made against you. Alternatively, if you have a solid alibi, you can provide it to demonstrate that you were somewhere else at the time the crimes against you were committed and therefore couldn’t have been responsible. The right drug trafficking defense lawyer will immediately concentrate on gathering all pertinent information from the get-go.

Build an Effective Strategy

Once you and your attorney have acquired all the evidence you’ll require in court, it’s time to put together a compelling defense. Your defense attorney will prepare the evidence to be presented in court, call any witnesses to the stand, and advise you of your plea before you enter the courtroom.

To help you more effectively respond to the accusations made against you, your attorney can step in and take control of the situation. The attorney may decide to pursue several options to defend you in court.

Looking for a Tampa Drug Trafficking Attorney for Your Case?

The repercussions of being found guilty of drug possession in Tampa are some of the severest in the state. This is why you need to entrust your case to only the best lawyer around. The federal criminal defense attorneys at The Rickman Law Firm have handled countless similar cases and have the knowledge and expertise to give you the best legal defense possible.

Hire the greatest federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is knowledgeable, tenacious, and capable both within and outside of the courtroom. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

5 Potential Defenses to Possession of Child Pornography Charges

As per state and federal law, possessing child pornography is a serious felony that could result in heavy punishments. Such accusations frequently result from a federal investigation that identifies numerous instances of unlawful behaviour.

Charges of child pornography in Tampa can have severe repercussions, including jail time, sex offender’s registry with the state, and steep fines, among other penalties. Even innocent defendants must deal with the notoriety until proven not guilty. The allegations might make the top page of newspapers, and social media can be cruel. The defendant is forced to contend with financial, legal and psychological difficulties, all at the same time.

Our responsibility at the Rickman Law Firm is to carefully examine the facts presented against our clients before developing the strongest possible defenses. Even though no two cases are the same, we might use the following five justifications to refute the evidence against you:

1. Defendant is Not in Possession

One possible defense strategy that your child pornography attorney in Tampa could use is to prove that you were not the one in possession of the content. This defense might be used when the material is discovered on a shared computer, such as a work computer. 

It is possible for someone else to download the material and then blame the defendant for doing it. This argument may also apply if the content is downloaded to frame the defendant by an enraged spouse, a disgruntled co-worker, or another person who is after the defendant. 

A federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa can assist in establishing this argument by, for example, having a computer forensic expert demonstrate how and when the relevant materials were downloaded, or by proving that the defendant was unable to download the data.

2. Content in Question is Not Child Pornography

According to laws around sex crime, the content in question must adhere to a strict standard to be classified as child pornography. Typically, this content includes either images of children who are nude or images that are sexually explicit. It cannot be called child pornography if the content does not feature minors. 

The Motion Picture Association of America has also exempted certain media, such as certain illustrations or movies from falling under the purview of this law. Furthermore, anything that promotes science or education may not be deemed to constitute child pornography.

3. Unintended Possession

Possession of child pornography without intent is another defense that a Tampa federal criminal defense attorney may use in court. This argument may apply if a person mistakenly clicks on something on a website or receives child pornography via email. 

Simply visiting specific websites can cause such information to download right away if the web URL is typed incorrectly. This argument can be established by a criminal defense attorney by demonstrating the brief amount of time a person spent on a certain website. 

When the defendant intended to view pornographic content but not material featuring children, a similar argument can apply.

4. Illegal Search and Seizure

In some circumstances, the defendant might be able to argue that the charges against him or her were brought in violation of his or her constitutional rights rather than on the grounds of actual innocence. 

For instance, the defendant might be successful in arguing that police unjustly seized the evidence that could be used against them.

This argument can apply if the warrant was obtained unlawfully because the law enforcement official who got it lied to get it. Police may have violated the terms of the search request in other instances, such as when they searched locked boxes or laptops that weren’t specifically mentioned in the search warrant.

5. Entrapment

When police conduct a sting operation after inducing someone to commit a crime they otherwise would not have, they are said to have engaged in entrapment for apprehending the suspect. 

Police detain the offender after he or she completes the transaction to buy or download child porn. In such cases, you may claim that if the police hadn’t contacted you and convinced you to commit the crime, you would not have done so. 

The police may also persuade people to acquire material that wasn’t obvious to be child porn or labelled as such. Such entrapment frequently occurs when authorities conduct a child porn sting operation that gathers numerous people in a wide net—not all of them are guilty.

Do You Need a Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney for a Case of Child Pornography?

The repercussions of being found guilty of possessing child pornography are far too severe to entrust your case to an untrained lawyer. The federal criminal defense attorneys at The Rickman Law Firm have handled countless sex crime cases and have the knowledge and expertise to give you the best legal defense possible.

Hire the best federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is knowledgeable, tenacious, and capable both within and outside of the courtroom. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Case Results

INVESTIGATION FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON CLOSED PRIOR TO ANY ARREST OR CHARGES MADE BY THE STATE

The Client was accused of aggravated assault with a Firearm. It was alleged that during a traffic altercation (road rage incident) the Client pointed a firearm at another driver. As a result of the allegation,
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State Dropped Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon(Firearm)

Hillsborough County 11-CF-016959
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POSSESSION OF CANNABIS CHARGE NOLLE PROSSED/DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING

The Client was charged with Possession of Cannabis and Driving Under the Influence as well as a Traffic Infraction. Attorney Anthony Rickman succeeding in getting the State to Nolle Prosse the Possession of Cannabis charge
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