
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!™
-
A Guided, Hands-On ApproachStep-by-Step Guidance for Any Legal Matter
-
A Compassionate TeamYour Story Matters - We're Here to Listen
-
Extensive ExperienceApproximately 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side
-
Award-Winning CounselTop-Rated Ethics & Legal Skill – AV Preeminent® Rating
-
Trusted & RecommendedTrusted by the Media & Recommended by Our Clients
-
Top-Rated AttorneysTop-Rated Personal Injury, DUI, & Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hear From Our Happy Clients
Pick Porter!™
-
The Law Offices of Mr. Jason K.S. Porter has exceeded all expectations and have gone well above and beyond. They made this unfortunate event less painful and were very open and honest throughout this difficult time. Kudos to Mrs. Darlene, Mrs. Shawna Abbatiello and Mr. Porter for their extreme professionalism and care. Thank you for representing me and changing the results of my case completely. I am 100% satisfied with the outcome and am grateful for your support, care, and services. Thank you 🙏🏽- N.J.
-
Over the past month or so I had made a call to the Law offices of Jason Porter because I needed to resolve an issue that occurred over 7 years ago. Once I explained the situation the secretary sent me directly to Jonathan Thacher. All I can say is that Thacher did an amazing job handling my case and I am extremely happy right now. I no longer have to worry about that problem ever again thanks to Thacher. The work was effective and everything went through perfectly. Thank you so much man you really took years of stress off my shoulder and I can finally have clarity in my mind.- Joshua S.
-
If I could give 10 stars, I would. I was blessed to have selected first, from a long list of lawyers, Jason Porter. From our first meeting, Jason was kind, comforting, and non-judgmental. Jason and his team fought long and hard for me, and our outcome was as predicted, far better than I was expecting considering my initial circumstances. A heart felt Thank You to Jason, Jonathan, and Darlene.- S.H.
-
I have had several cases with Mr. Porter as my attorney. He went to bat for me and fought hard to get a great outcome every time! He is a top-notch attorney in Jacksonville and very professional & honest when dealing with each scenario of my cases. My life is in a much better place today because of Jason's integrity within the community and relationships with the judges & state attorneys.- Josh C.
-
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
-
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.
-
"Bad things happen to good families and people” That is one of the first things Jason said to me and my son. The laws are set to protect us. However, the law can be black and white when there are several shades of grey. If a man has a beer in his own house after coming back from war but is only 20, should his dad be charged for contributing to the delinquency of a minor? Have you ever done something now looking back, it may not have been the best decision but nothing happened? That was not the case a few years ago to my family. A bad decision, one I am sure many of us have done in our younger days. A bad decision was made and it could have ruined a young man’s future. The courts are busy and things can fall through the cracks; I was making sure my son was not one of them. I knew Jason had worked for the District attorney’s office so he knew both sides of the law. He knew what the other side was going to do and say because he was there for many years. He prepared our family through each and every step. He made sure that we were proactive “getting ducks in a row” so to speak. If there was something mentioned, we had already taken care of it and showed no history and really no where for the other side to go. What could have been jail time ended up being a bump in the road. No one can promise anything is a sure thing. Jason did not make any promises he was not prepared to keep. He told us what normally happens, and what he was going to try for and he did. I rather have someone say there is a 70/30 chance than, “sure this is no problem, don’t worry about it”. We do worry about it. It is our lives or one of someone we love. Some cases may not be life or death, but they all are between a life that could be and a life that never will be. Jason understands that and approached it as if was his brother standing next to him. Every now and then, I will look at my son when eating dinner or something and think, if it was not for Jason and his group, I would have to visit my son to see him. I thanked God for Jason being there then, and have every day since.
- Satisfied Client -
Mr. Richard Watson was recommended to me by a friend after I was in a car accident. With no prior experience with auto accidents in Florida, I had to learn about PIP, settling with the at-fault driver's insurance company, working with my own health insurance company, and the subrogation process. Mr. Watson was responsive and professional, he offered guidance that assured me I understood each step of the process and was diligent about communication at each step. I am grateful to have received such a terrific recommendation, and I'm happy to have met Mr. Watson. I highly recommend him and the Porter firm.- Kally M.
Pick Porter!™ Today
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
-
*Motorcycle accident - $2,835,000
-
$1,502,500 Premises Liability - $1,502,500
Bodily Injury Claim
-
*Wrongful Death - $1,000,000
-
Settled *Estate of Fred Fedorka
Largest settlement ever against Volusia County.
-
*Medical Malpractice - $500,000