Aggravated Assault Charges: How to Prevent Situations from Boiling Over and How to Handle If They Do
2020 has been a stressful time. With mounting financial issues, workplace confrontations, and other stressors, instances of crime and aggravated assault have been on the rise since the pandemic began. In this article, an aggravated assault attorney in St. Petersburg with The Rickman Law Firm shares tips to prevent aggravated assault during times of high stress, and how to handle it if these stressful situations boil over and become criminal charges.
Related: What to Do When a Criminal Attempt Leads to an Aggravated Assault Charge
What is Aggravated Assault?
Aggravated assault is defined as an assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill or with intent to commit a felony. A deadly weapon does not necessarily have to be a knife or a gun. In fact, in Loninger v. State, 846 So. 2d 1192 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), the use of a beer bottle to strike a victim on the head was regarded as the use of a “deadly weapon.”
Remember: assault is the threat of violence, not the act itself. Even a simple threat during a heated argument can result in aggravated assault charges. In these instances, it’s critical to contact the best aggravated assault lawyer in St. Petersburg.
Related: Aggravated Assault: What Could Be Considered a Deadly Weapon?
Tips to Prevent Altercations
Before a heated argument becomes an aggravated assault, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself, including:
- Take a breath and count to 10 before making any threats or continuing to argue.
- Limit intake of alcohol or drugs during potentially stressful situations.
- If you feel yourself becoming upset, avoid touching any weapons while arguing (for example, if you carry a pocketknife, avoid touching it during an argument to prevent the perception of threat.)
What to Do If Accused of Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is a felony of the third degree with penalties, such as five years of imprisonment, five years of probation, or a $5,000 fine. These penalties do not account for the additional lost wages and lost time spent dealing with aggravated assault charges in court if you do not have the best legal representation available.
Accusations of aggravated assault should be taken seriously. If you have been blindsided by an aggravated assault charge, you are not without options. Depending on the specifics of your case, an aggravated assault attorney in St. Petersburg can build a strong defense that includes proving your innocence, demonstrating that your constitutional rights were violated, or arguing that the case lacks evidence or a reliable witness, among other strategies. When defending an aggravated assault charge, the details involved in the case are extremely important and relying on a public defender can result in less time being spent fully investigating your defense strategy. To ensure that you are properly defended, contact the best aggravated assault lawyer in St. Petersburg with The Rickman Law Firm to handle your case.
For a free consultation with the best aggravated assault lawyer in St. Petersburg, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
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.