
Jacksonville Battery Attorney
What Battery Is & How It’s Prosecuted in Florida
The crime of battery is one of the most common criminal charges that appears in Florida courts. Knowing how battery is defined and prosecuted in Florida can help you avoid battery charges, or if you're already charged with battery, understand what's in store next for your case.
If you're facing a criminal charge such as battery, you should contact an attorney immediately. At Problems? Pick Porter!™, our Jacksonville battery attorney can help you navigate your case.
Fill out our contact form or give us a call at (904) 701-0591 to schedule your free, one-hour consultation about what the crime of battery is and how we can help.
What's the Difference Between Battery and Assault?
Battery and assault are often conflated, but they're actually separate offenses. Here's an easy way to understand the difference:
- Assault occurs when someone fears they'll suffer immediate harm as the result of a threat.
- Battery occurs when somebody is touched or struck against their will and without their consent.
So, if you threaten to splash boiling water in someone's face, you're committing assault. If you actually follow through with the threat and do pour boiling water on someone, you're committing battery.
Florida distinguishes several different kinds of battery and assault. For example, ordinary assault (a threat which makes someone else fear they're in danger of immediate harm) is a second-degree misdemeanor. In contrast, aggravated assault (which involves a weapon used to enhance the threat of violence) is a third-degree felony. Aggravated assault with a firearm is even more serious than aggravated assault and requires a mandatory three-year prison sentence for the offender.
Is Battery a Felony?
It depends. Simple battery is only a misdemeanor. However, the other types of battery we've covered in this article are all felonies.
Generally, misdemeanors have less harsh penalties than felonies, which often carry mandatory fines and prison sentences as punishment. Misdemeanors are also easier to seal or expunge from a criminal record, which obviously has a lasting effect on how severely an offense will impacts a person's life. It's almost always better to be charged with a misdemeanor than it is to be charged with a felony.
To convict someone of a battery, the prosecution must prove they're guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Attorneys commonly use defenses such as self-defense, use of force in defense of property or others, or stand your grand laws to dispute battery charges.
If you're charged with battery, you need to contact a battery defense lawyer immediately. Our Jacksonville battery attorney will work with you to create a personalized legal strategy for your case that leverages your unique circumstances.
Schedule your free one-hour consultation at Problems? Pick Porter!™ Contact us online or by phone at (904) 701-0591 today! **Consultation fees may apply to family law consultations. Pick Porter!™
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Mr. Porter and his staff were wonderful. They treated me like family and did not stereotype me. They fought a long and hard case for me and got the best results! Now I'm skippin down the road with no worries, back to regular life!- Calvin W.
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The purpose of this letter is to express our appreciation for Jonathan Thacher's legal services associated with our daughter's case. Jonathan was and is always available for questions. If we left a message, he would always get back to us in a prompt fashion. It isn't easy to find such a capable lawyer who seems to be in the right job. He is caring and very attentive to us. No questions went unanswered. Jonathan made us feel comfortable and confident that he would work diligently on our behalf. In the end, we felt blessed that we had the right person to help us when we felt lost. I can't tell you how important it is to choose the right lawyers for your case. He certainly lifted a weight off our shoulder to know that Jonathan and the firm's staff were working for us and a good conclusion to our problem.- Edward & Sondra A.
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I used Jason Porters services after a bad roll over accident involving myself and my ALMOST 1 year old daughter when I lived in Jacksonville. Within 24 hours of contacting the office, I was seen by 2 physicians and my case was in full motion. My husband was deployed, and I was scared at first. However, Mr. Porter and his ENTIRE staff had me at immediate ease. I could email or call his assistant at any hour with any concern, and would have a response very quickly. I would highly recommend this office to anyone at any time. The compassion of the entire staff was more than I could have expected.- Robyn S.
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I recently worked with Jonathan Thacher and am very pleased with the outcome of the case. Throughout the whole process, he was responsive and dedicated and he made it seem like I was the only case he was dealing with. He was on top of getting the necessary measure taken and the end result was outstanding. I would definitely refer anyone to him! Thank you so much, Jonathan!!- Victoria B.
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Outstanding experience. Very on top of it, quick responses, friendly, and very informative. Not much more I could have asked for. Pick Porter!- W.K.
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There is nothing like the fear and uncertainty the legal system brings to keep you up at night, especially when it involves your child. For this reason selecting an attorney was one of the most daunting and important decisions I made; after much research that’s why I chose Jason Porter. Throughout the legal process Jason answered all my emails and phone calls, he figuratively provided the hand holding my son and mostly I needed to be reassured the outcome would be in our favor. Needless to say the outcome was in our favor and I could not have been more pleased with Jason’s service. I was so pleased with Jason’s professionalism and legal savvy that I asked if he practices law outside of criminal defense, so I could use his services for all my legal needs. He will always receive my business in the future.- Anonymous
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I had the pleasure of working with Attorney Jonathan D.Thacher! He is an awesome and very genuine guy. Thanks again, Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter!- A.J.
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If I had to tell you how this attorney help saved my life that would have been an understatement. Very professional and was straightforward with me and didn’t tell one lie. Hes now my personal lawyer forever hopefully I’ll never need him again. But if I did I know who to call. You can tell he doesn’t have to help people the way he do. But an awesome lawyer and stand up guy- W.M.
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