What's at stake
Florida punishes violent crimes harshly, and the penalty scale climbs fast. Simple assault is a misdemeanor, but aggravated assault is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. And when a firearm is involved, the law known as "10-20-Life" kicks in, imposing mandatory minimum sentences: 10 years for showing a weapon, 20 for firing it, and 25 years to life if someone is injured.
But many of these cases have another side: self-defense. Not every use of force is a crime, and Florida law protects someone who acts to defend themselves.
How I defend these cases
- Self-defense and Stand Your Ground. With careful preparation I've won motions to dismiss under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, which can grant immunity before trial.
- Identification. Witnesses get it wrong. Rushed or police-suggested identifications are a common source of mistaken charges.
- The "aggressor's" side. In many cases — especially domestic violence — the story has two sides, and the person charged is actually the one who was attacked.
- Evidence and weapons. Illegal searches and problems with the physical evidence can completely change a case, especially under the 10-20-Life law.
Violent-crime cases I handle
- Homicide and manslaughter
- Assault and aggravated assault/battery
- Armed robbery and robbery
- Domestic violence
- Kidnapping and false imprisonment
- Firearm charges and the 10-20-Life law
Frequently asked questions
I was just defending myself. Is that a crime?
Not necessarily. Florida law, including Stand Your Ground, protects someone who uses reasonable force to defend themselves. In certain cases you can seek dismissal and even immunity before trial.
What is the 10-20-Life law?
It's a Florida law that imposes mandatory minimums when a firearm is used in a crime: 10 years for showing it, 20 for firing it, and 25 years to life if someone is injured. That's why gun charges require a very careful defense.
The alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges. Does the case go away?
Not automatically. In domestic violence cases, the State can move forward even if the alleged victim no longer wants to cooperate. Even so, it affects the case and opens defense options.
How much prison time am I facing?
It depends on the charge. Simple assault is a misdemeanor; aggravated assault can reach 15 years; and gun or homicide charges can mean decades or more. Getting the charge classified correctly is key.