When crimes occur in Florida, you may notice that there are times when the charges are aggravated. Understanding what aggravated means when facing certain charges, such as assault and battery, is important.
Those facing aggravated charges are looking at more severe punishments for the crimes committed, which could include much longer prison sentences if convicted. Anyone facing aggravated charges would need to hire a professional Florida criminal defense attorney. O’Halloran & Foley explains what types of actions can make a crime aggravated according to the law in Florida.
Causing Serious Harm to a Victim
Charges are aggravated when an individual willfully and intentionally causes (or attempts) serious bodily harm, permanent disability, or death to a victim. When this threshold of harm is caused (or attempted) against another person someone, the accused will need to hire a Florida criminal defense attorney to represent them.
Some of the ways in which an attacker can be accused of an aggravated assault or battery charge against a victim include:
- Causing a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury
- Breaking teeth
- Breaking bones
- Leaving open wounds on the victim’s body
- Shooting or threatening the victim with a firearm
- Stabbing or threatening the victim with a knife or blade
Someone who gets into a fight with another person might not mean to cause serious damage to them. However, if they are defending themselves by all means necessary, they might end up causing serious damage to the other person, which could lead to aggravated charges against the person who caused the damage during the fight.
Using a Deadly Weapon During an Attack
Aside from causing serious harm to a victim, aggravated charges may occur when a deadly weapon is used during an attack. While most people think of traditional weapons, such as guns or knives, other weapons are considered just as dangerous.
If a person inflicts serious injuries on another person while hitting them with a brick, a large piece of wood, or even a baseball bat, they can end up with aggravated battery charges. If so, they should consult a Punta Gorda defense attorney immediately.
In many of these types of situations, the person who is charged with an aggravated crime will claim self-defense. It is not uncommon for people to get into physical altercations with others as a way to defend themselves. If the person who caused the most damage was simply trying to defend themselves against the other person, this is something that the Punta Gorda defense attorney would need to bring up in the courtroom.
The best defense lawyer Florida has available would work hard on the case to attempt to have the aggravated charges dropped for the sake of the client.
The Victim’s Status Can Aggravate a Charge
If the victim was a person over the age of 65, a law enforcement officer, a firefighter or an EMT or other medical professional, a pregnant person, or other special category or class of person, a battery can be aggravated.
Concerned About Aggravated Charges? Talk to O’Halloran & Foley Today
Do you have concerns about the possibility of facing aggravated charges for something that happened? If so, you are going to need to get advice from a criminal defense lawyer in Florida. At O’Halloran & Foley, we are here to help.
Call our law office at 941-639-6009 or complete our contact form today to request a consultation. Everyone deserves a valiant defense, and we are eager to work on your behalf.
