
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 the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A., 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 the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. 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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Hear From Our Happy Clients
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My fiancé and I were referred here by a friend. Our lawyer was Nicole Carlucci and paralegal was Danielle Castillo, they were beyond wonderful. Easy to communicate with, always gave us our options and never made us feel pressured. Our relationship with them was very personable and we always felt as if we were their only clients! We seeked their help with regards to child support and time sharing. The experience was just wonderful!!!!! We would recommend them 10 times over.- Kizgel D.
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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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Jason Porter is the best attorney in Jacksonville!! He has been there for me and my son several times. I have set down with Jason and talked about my concerns and he has always put my mind at ease and has always been there. In my opinion, there is no better attorney!!- Sherry H.
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I haven't had a lot of legal problems in my life but enough to truly evaluate my attorneys. By far Jason Porter makes you feel like you are his only client. He knows the law and the legal loop holes. To boot he is a heck of a nice guy. You can trust him with your life. You feel that he loves his work and really cares about you. You couldn't find a better lawyer anywhere.- Ed W.
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It always baffled me how much both Jason and Gary knew about the intricacies of my case at any given time. These guys work for, and show up to court for, their CLIENTS - in other words, they're not cutting a bunch of deals to clear dockets. I will never go anywhere else for legal advice - these guys are the real deal.- Meagan V.
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There are times when you may need unforeseen legal assistance and your scared and don't have a clue if youre making the right choice. The decision is not an easy one when it's based on your family and life. You worry if they have your best interest at heart, if they know enough, if they know the right people and it's very emotional & confusing. Ten years ago my family was faced with the worst nightmare any mother could ever imagine & I prayed to God to make the right decision and I did. Meeting Jason Porter & his assistant Darlene C. (she's been with him longer than that), was the best in my life in my family's life. Jason doesn't have a big office turn around, in fact I have watched his office grow to the success it is today. His staff stays because they know they are with a terrific guy & great attorney. I can go on and on and mean every word from the bottom of my heart but the are truly no words to describe the great outcomes he has had for 2 of my sons on separate occasions. Unfortunately, we don't live in a society anymore where "boys will be boys". There are way too many laws and not enough of societal morality (due to a change of the times). Boys may get in trouble, they did get in trouble but with their unfortunate choices, my choice was the better in retaining Jason and his law firm. He is our family attorney forever.- Anonymous
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My experience working with Mr. Thacher was that he was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain everything to me. He took a process that I was unfamiliar with and helped me understand all my options and be able to make the best decisions in my case, and I really felt like he cared about the outcome for me. I was referred to his law office, and I highly recommend him if you're in need of a defense attorney. He will work towards the best possible outcome for your case and has a lot of experience, so you can feel confident in his advice. The phone call I received today was nothing less than thrilling! Thanks again.- D. W.
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Two very scary DUI cases in my life. The first involved a wreck, the second with a very high BAC. Jason Porter and Gary Shumard, you are both so very amazing and you have saved me so much havoc on these cases. Reduced to reckless on the first, and on the second, saved me from having the interlock system order in my car, another 10 days of immobilization, and more jail time. From the beginning, these two kept my anxieties calm through this process and the outcomes took all that load off. If you are financially strapped, trust me, they will work with you on that too. Sincerely.- Gale B.
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