Navigating Violent Crime Charges in South Florida
Any person who participates in an act of violence can be charged with a violent crime in the state of Florida. The extent and severity of criminal charges vary case per case, but will normally depend upon the defendant’s prior criminal record, if the defendant has committed prior violent crimes, if a weapon was involved, and the extent of the victim’s injuries, if any. Violent crimes are considered felonies, which carry a minimum sentence of a year in prison.
What is Considered a Violent Crime?
A violent crime is a criminal act that involves the use or threat of violence. Most violent crimes tend to involve physical force or the use of a weapon, such as a firearm. Violent crimes can lead to serious bodily harm for the victims involved. For this reason, crimes of this nature are always prosecuted to the fullest extent. Violent crime is an umbrella term that can be added to more specific charges such as sex crimes and domestic abuse. To learn more about the general legalities of violent crimes, feel free to watch the following linked video.
Violent Crime Consequences
Violent crimes have severe sentences in Florida, being as grave as the death penalty. Once a person is convicted of a violent crime in South Florida, he/she can be punished with:
» Jail Time
» Fines
» Community Service
» Probation
» House Arrest
» Mandatory Counseling
Types of Violent Crimes
Due to the severity of the legal consequences involved, it is always to your benefit to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney after you have been charged with a violent crime.
To understand the difference between simple assault, aggravated assault, simple battery and aggravated battery, please visit our general questions page.
Examples of Violent Crimes Include:
» Aggravated Assault (66.6% of violent Crimes)
» Robbery
» Armed Robbery
» Simple assault
» Battery
» Non-negligent Manslaughter
»Aggravated Battery
» Carjacking
» Murder
» Homicide
» Domestic Violence
» Weapons Crime
» Kidnapping
» Arson
What’s the difference between homicide, murder and manslaughter?
Murder and Manslaughter are both extensions of homicide. Homicide is the killing of one person by another. It is a very broad term that includes both legal and illegal killings. There are various situations in which the killing of another person does not constitute a crime.
Murder
Murder a homicide that is the illegal killing of another person with a premeditated intent to kill them. In Florida, there are three classifications of murders:
- First-Degree Murder
- A first-degree murder occurs when someone commits a premeditated or felony murder. A premeditated murder is when someone plans in advance to kill another person and intentionally carries out that plan. Felony murder is when an individual kills another during another crime that is considered a felony (arson, burglary, kidnapping, robbery, trafficking controlled substances, etc.), regardless of the defendant’s intent. Punishments for first-degree murder in Florida are unfortunately life in prison without the possibility of parole or death. This is why it is extremely important to fight your charges with an experienced defense attorney like attorney Michael Jones.
- Second-Degree Murder
- Second-degree murder is when someone murders another person with the intent to kill but without premeditation or when a person is an accomplice to a felony murder. Being an accomplice to a felony murder involves assisting in some way anyone who kills another during the commission of a felony. Penalties for this crime include up to life in prison, life on probation, and a hefty financial fine.
- Third-Degree Murder
- Third-Degree Murder occurs when a person unintentionally kills another person while committing, or attempting to commit, a non-violent felony. It may also involves reckless behavior that resulted in an accidental death. An example is if the defendant sold drugs to someone without realizing that the drugs carried a toxic chemical, resulting in the death of the person who received the drugs. This charge is typically not used in Florida, but if convicted can result in 10 to 20 years of prison, up to 15 years of probation and a heavy fine.
Mansluaghter
If you have been accused of manslaughter, chances are you never expected to be facing these charges. Manslaughter is less serious than murder, but still faces serious penalties. Manslaughter is committed without a premeditated intent to harm or kill the other person. In Florida, manslaughter can be voluntary or involuntary.
Voluntary manslaughter is when someone kills another person in the midst of a provocation. This means that the defendant did not seek out someone with the purpose of taking their life, but instead, acted in the heat of the moment. This differs from murder because murder involves premeditation.
Involuntary manslaughter is the unintentional killing of someone else. For this charge, the defendant had no intent to take someone else’s life. The fatality occurred due to negligence.
Both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter carry the same potential consequences. The minimum sentence for manslaughter in Florida is 9¼ years in prison, but you may be facing up to 15 years in prison in addition to probation and fines. If you have been accused of manslaughter, this may be an overwhelming period for you. Attorney Michael Jones is here to help. He can walk you through any questions you may have and help you build a strong case that will preserve both your rights and freedom.
The Law Office of Michael E. Jones is a South Florida criminal defense firm servicing clients throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Criminal defense attorney, Michael Jones, is devoted to helping his clients contest their violent crime charges. As a committed solo practitioner, Mr. Jones strives to give each of his clients the attention and counsel they need to be successful with their violent crime matters. He will always go the extra mile for his clients and their criminal cases.
If you have been charged with a violent crime in South Florida, call or contact the Law Office of Michael E. Jones today for your free initial consultation at (954) 764-2060.
With over 30 years of experience and thousands of successful cases under his belt, Michael Jones will be there for you throughout the entire process, fighting for you until the very end. At the Law Office of Michael E. Jones, we can answer your questions and address your individual concerns. You do not have to go through the criminal process alone.
I can order a copy of your police report and offer you a consultation at no charge.
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