Best Aggravated Assault Lawyer in St. Petersburg

It’s all too common for someone in a fleeting moment of rage to grab an object in reach and make a threat on someone’s life, consequently placing their own life at risk. This situation can lead to an offender being charged with aggravated assault, a serious offense that can result in fines and a mandatory prison sentence. If you’ve been accused of aggravated assault, it can’t be stressed enough how important it is for you to seek the defense of an aggravated assault attorney in St. Petersburg.

Aggravated Assault

There is a clear difference between assault and aggravated assault. An assault is a threat of violence with the ability to carry out the threat. By contrast, Florida law defines aggravated assault as an assault with a deadly weapon or with an intent to commit a felony.

• Assault with a Deadly Weapon: A threat of violence with the use of a weapon that could cause serious bodily harm or death. A knife, gun, baseball bat, and even a car can be considered a deadly weapon if used or threatened to be used to inflict harm.
• Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony: A threat of violence paired with an attempt to commit a criminal offense that would be punishable by “death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary.” This felony may be an attempt to commit murder, rape, or kidnapping, among others.

In both cases of aggravated assault, there must be an apparent ability to carry out the assault that also instills genuine fear in the intended victim. It’s important to note that it does not matter if the offender actually intended to follow through with the threat, only that a threat was present.

An aggravated assault is a third degree felony. Those accused of committing aggravated assault will undoubtedly face severe penalties if convicted. Convicted offenders could face five years in prison, five years on probation, and a fine of $5,000. However, these penalties increase with the severity of the offense. An aggravated assault involving the use and discharge of a firearm could result in a mandatory prison sentence of three years and a maximum prison sentence of twenty years.

Partner With an Experienced Aggravated Assault Attorney in St. Petersburg

Due to the absence of injuries and discrepancies in each party’s versions of events, there are many defenses that can be employed against an aggravated assault charge. The accused may have been acting in self-defense, standing their ground, under duress, or falsely accused. However, these defenses are useless without the representation of a skilled, aggressive, and experienced aggravated assault lawyer in St. Petersburg.

If you’ve been accused of aggravated assault, it is imperative that you seek the aid of the best aggravated assault lawyer in St. Petersburg, Anthony Rickman, lead attorney at The Rickman Law Firm. As a former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney, Anthony Rickman has years of experience in the area of criminal law. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today and take the first steps to a dismissal or acquittal of your charges.

For a free consultation with the best aggravated assault attorney 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.