According to the Florida Uniform Crime Reports Program, there were 55,491 reported cases of aggravated assault in 2018. Aggravated assault involves the use of a deadly weapon, among other elements. In this brief article, we will break down these cases by weapon type to better understand what leads to an aggravated assault charge.
A “deadly weapon” is any weapon that can be used to cause serious bodily harm or death. The majority of aggravated assault cases involve easily concealed items that many Floridians have on their persons at all times. It is for this reason that you must be mindful of your actions when carrying an object that can be considered a deadly weapon. And if you are ever charged with aggravated assault, consult an aggravated assault attorney in St. Petersburg.
Out of 55,491 aggravated assault offenses, 16,792 were committed with a firearm. This is important considering that there are nearly two million Florida civilians with concealed weapons permits. While Florida does have powerful laws in place to protect gun owners, they can’t protect you if you decide to unjustifiably brandish your weapon.
Knives and cutting instruments were used in 10,388 aggravated assault offenses. This is an important statistic considering the utility of knives. How many of us have a pocket knife attached to our keychains or tucked away in our glove box? But like any other object, a simple pocket knife can be considered a deadly weapon if it is used to cause great bodily harm.
More so than firearms and knives, aggravated assault offenses involved unconventional weapons. While body parts are not generally considered deadly weapons, 8,695 aggravated assault offenses involved the use of “hands, fists, feet.” Additionally, 19,616 aggravated assault offenses involved other objects. As we’ve covered previously, virtually any object can be considered a deadly weapon. A baseball bat, a beer bottle, and even a vehicle can be used to threaten death or serious injury. While it’s important to be mindful of what you carry on your person, it’s all the more important to be mindful of your actions.
Many Floridians carry a concealed firearm for self-defense, while many more carry a pocket knife for the sheer convenience of having a tool on hand. But even with the best intentions, carrying a weapon can lead to an aggravated assault charge. For this reason, you must be cautious and practice absolute self-control when carrying a firearm, knife, or any object that can be considered a deadly weapon. If you have been charged with aggravated assault, it’s imperative that you contact Anthony Rickman, the best aggravated assault attorney in St. Petersburg, who can expertly develop a defense for you case.
For a free consultation with an 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.