Violent Crimes
Violent crimes often carry the harshest penalties in the criminal justice system, including lengthy prison sentences, steep fines, and long-term supervision. Allegations involving assault, battery, robbery, or homicide can harshly implicate a person for the rest of their life, affecting employment, housing, and family relationships.
Lawson and Simmons provide criminal defense representation for Florida clients charged with violent crimes, working to examine the facts, challenge the prosecution’s theory, and protect constitutional rights at every stage.
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Understanding Violent Crime Allegations
Charges classified as violent crimes may involve accusations of force, threats of force, or weapons. Prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively, frequently relying on eyewitness testimony, surveillance footage, digital evidence, and forensic reports.
Lawson and Simmons carefully review how evidence was collected, whether law enforcement respected constitutional boundaries, and whether the alleged conduct matches the charge filed.
How We Evaluate a Violent Crime Case
Lawson and Simmons begin the evaluation by reviewing the charging documents, police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence. We will assess the strength of the prosecution’s case, identify weaknesses or inconsistencies, and determine whether any evidence can be suppressed because it was obtained in violation of constitutional rights. By comparing the available evidence against the legal elements of the alleged violent offense, the defense can develop arguments that support dismissal, reduction, or acquittal.
Collateral Consequences of Violent Crime Convictions
Beyond fines and incarceration, a conviction for a violent crime can affect a person’s life long after the case ends. Many violent crime convictions cannot be sealed or expunged, and employers, landlords, and licensing authorities frequently ask about these records. A felony conviction may also impact firearm rights, voting rights, and future sentencing in any additional cases.
Lawson and Simmons keep these long-term consequences in view while working to resolve violent crime charges, recognizing that a client’s future opportunities often hinge on the outcome of a single case.
What We Do
Assault and Battery Defense
Representation for clients charged with misdemeanor and felony assault and battery, including allegations of serious bodily injury or use of a weapon.
Robbery and Armed Robbery Cases
Defense against accusations of robbery, armed robbery, carjacking, and related theft charges involving force or threats of force.
Domestic Violence Allegations
Criminal defense for clients accused of domestic battery, stalking, restraining order violations, and related offenses that can threaten family relationships and living arrangements.
Homicide and Manslaughter Charges
Representation in cases involving allegations of murder, attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter, with a focus on detailed investigation and constitutional protections.
Weapons and Firearms Offenses
Defense for charges involving unlawful possession or use of firearms or other weapons, including allegations that enhance the penalty for an underlying violent crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do first if I am accused of a violent crime in Florida?
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a violent crime, exercise your right to remain silent and request a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Avoid discussing the incident with law enforcement, friends, or on social media, as your statements can be used against you. Prompt legal guidance can help protect your rights during questioning, bond hearings, and early court appearances.
2. Can I be arrested for a violent crime based only on one person’s word?
Yes, you can be arrested by law enforcement, and prosecutors can file charges based on statements from a single witness or alleged victim, even if there is little or no physical evidence. However, credibility, motive, inconsistencies, and prior statements are critical issues that a violent crime lawyer will analyze closely. Cross-examination and independent investigation can expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s version of events.
3. What if I acted in self-defense?
Self-defense may be a powerful issue in violent crime cases when a person uses reasonable force to protect themselves or others from imminent harm. The specific requirements depend on the jurisdiction’s self-defense laws that may apply. A criminal defense attorney can evaluate whether the facts support self-defense and present that theory through witness testimony, physical evidence, and expert analysis if appropriate.
4. Will I have to go to trial for a violent crime charge?
Not every violent crime case goes to trial. Some charges are resolved through dismissal, reduced charges, or negotiated outcomes after thorough investigation and pretrial motions. Your lawyer will advise you on the strengths and risks of going to trial versus accepting an alternative resolution, but the choice to go to trial is ultimately yours.
5. How can a violent crime conviction affect my future?
A conviction for a violent crime can lead to incarceration, probation, and significant fines, and it can also limit future employment, housing, and licensing opportunities. In many jurisdictions, certain violent offenses cannot be expunged or sealed, which means they may appear on background checks indefinitely. This is why it is vital to work with a criminal defense attorney who understands both the immediate penalties and the long-term consequences of a conviction.
