Data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) shows that violent crime in Florida has been reduced considerably from the levels of 20 years ago, but remains high. In 2013, The FDLE reported a total of 91,703 violent crimes: over 57,000 aggravated assaults, more than 23,000 robberies, almost 10,000 forcible sex offenses, and slightly fewer than 1,000 murders.
Public outcry against criminal behavior, especially violent behavior, gives law enforcement tremendous incentive to clear cases of violent crimes; each case in which police make an arrest improves public opinion of area law enforcement. But too much incentive for an arrest can easily lead to arrests that are not based on good evidence of guilt.
It’s up to a Tampa violent crimes lawyer to ensure that justice prevails over expediency in Florida.
Severe PenaltiesNot only can haste to close a case result in innocent people going to prison for violent crimes, those who are wrongly convicted go to prison for lengthy periods, because violent crimes carry the harshest penalties. The specific penalty varies considerably from one crime to another, but all violent crimes carry potentially severe penalties that completely change the course of the defendant’s life if convicted. All carry the potential for prison sentences of several years to life, with the death penalty possible for capital crimes.
Crimes involving violence are singled out for stiff penalties for two reasons:
In practical terms, a third reason is to ease public pressure on law enforcement and the justice system.
DefensesDefenses to violent crimes in Tampa generally fall into one of three categories:
Florida laws on violent crimes are complex, with numerous aggravating factors that bump a crime to a higher degree, relatively new and complex laws such as the controversial “stand your ground” defense, and technical elements that must be proved in order to convict you.
There is no time to waste if you have been charged with a violent crime in Florida. The sooner you get the help of an experienced Tampa violent crimes lawyer, the better your chances of avoiding conviction and, if convicted, minimizing the penalty. If you are simply being investigated and haven’t yet been charged, getting experienced help is your best chance to avoid having charges filed.
Apart from the defenses discussed above, a few of the major tasks with which an experienced Tampa criminal defense lawyer’s help is invaluable include:
Criminal law is the only kind of law that William Hanlon practices. He has been handling these cases aggressively and successfully for 20 years in Tampa and the surrounding areas. Take no chances with your life and freedom. If you are or may be charged with a violent crime, get your defense started here: call Will today.