Tampa Violent Crime Lawyer

You have a great deal at stake if you have been charged with a violent crime. Any criminal record will have lasting negative repercussions in many areas of your life, but a conviction for charges of a violent crime can have a particularly disastrous result on your reputation.

Immediate punishments such as fines or a prison sentence are one thing. Long-term harmful consequences are another. Society may unfairly penalize and shun you in many ways. Your label as a “convicted felon” or “convicted murderer” will not tell the full story. A potential employer or landlord may well stigmatize you right away without giving you the opportunity to explain the circumstances behind your arrest and conviction for a violent crime such as:

• Homicide
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Assault
• Battery
• Domestic violence
• Any weapons offense

Many people have been unfairly accused and convicted for alleged violent crimes that they did not, in fact, commit. Other defendants in violent crime cases have been punished beyond what was appropriate. The punishment did not fit the crime. Regardless of the circumstances behind your violent crime charges, Escobar, Michaels & Associates urges you to seek top-notch legal representation as soon as possible. The sooner you have an experienced, aggressive attorney on your side, the more options there will be for a more favorable outcome than the worst-case scenario.

Strong emotions are often involved in alleged violent crime cases. For the most effective defense after a criminal arrest, select a lawyer who will keep a level head on your behalf while developing a strong defense for you. After a client’s arrest on suspicion of a Tampa violent crime, attorneys of Escobar, Michaels & Associates are very thorough in all facets of a detailed investigation. We often discover a missing link in a prosecutor’s case such as:

• Falsification of information put forth by alleged victims, witnesses and even law enforcement
• Exaggeration in alleged victims’ and witnesses’ claims
• Possible retaliatory motives of alleged victims and witnesses

What should I do if I am accused of a violent crime?

Invoke your right to remain silent and call a defense attorney right away. Do not attempt to talk your way out of the charges. Once the authorities have decided you will be charged, nothing you say will immediately change the situation, and you may inadvertently say something that could later damage your defense.

What are the potential penalties for violent crimes?

The vast majority of violent crimes are charged as felonies in Florida. A third-degree felony, which is the least severe, can result in up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. A second-degree felony conviction can result in 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. First-degree felonies can lead to a $10,000 fine and up to 30 years in prison. Certain crimes can result in a $15,000 fine and a life sentence.

In addition, Florida classifies certain violent crimes in special ways. First-degree murder and sexual battery on a child that cause injuries are treated as capital felonies, which can result in the death sentence. Florida also has a special “10-20-Life” law that enforces mandatory sentences whenever a firearm is used in a crime. If you were merely carrying one during a crime, you face a minimum of 10 years behind bars – and that turns into 20 if you actually used the weapon. If you are convicted of shooting someone, you will be sentenced to life behind bars.

Can a violent crime charge be reduced or dismissed?

Yes, violent criminal charges can be reduced or dismissed in Florida before and during an arraignment. A skilled attorney may be able to demonstrate a lack of probable cause for the charges or even negotiate a reduction in charges or a pretrial diversion.

Hillsborough County Assault Lawyers · How Can We Help You?

When you are serious about an aggressive, effective defense after a violent crime-related arrest, contact the Escobar, Michaels & Associates law firm in Tampa, Florida. Learn why clients have counted on our reliable, aggressive and knowledgeable criminal defense since 1986.

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