Fort Pierce Assault Lawyer

A conviction for assault in Florida can lead to years in prison and thousands of dollars in fees and fines. While basic, or simple, assault is a misdemeanor which carries up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine, felony aggravated assault can result in up to five years incarceration and a $5,000 fine. Although the difference between the two should be clear-cut, as aggravated assault involves either a weapon or an ongoing felony and simple assault does not, in reality the line between the two is murky and Florida courts aggressively prosecute both to the full extent of the law. Penalties can also be increased if the victim of the assault is a child or law enforcement officer. Because of the complexities of the law and the potential consequences, those accused of assault in Fort Pierce should immediately consult an experienced criminal lawyer who specializes in assault charges.A recent case illustrates the complexities and dangers of Florida assault laws. Last week two Fort Pierce neighbors got into an argument when one man’s dog choked on rib bones thrown onto his lawn by the other. Although the argument seemed settled when police arrived to calm the parties down earlier in the day, by nightfall authorities had to return to the scene. The man whose dog had been injured had threatened his neighbor and, according to the victim, fired gunshots. Even though the dog-owner claimed that all he had done was set off fire-crackers, police nevertheless arrested him and charged him with aggravated assault. Had a weapon not been involved, officers probably would not have arrested anyone.

Assault charges carry serious consequences, not only in the legal world but to your reputation, as having a record of violent crime can severely damage career and social prospects. Thankfully, a skilled Fort Pierce assault lawyer can help. If you or someone you know has been charged with misdemeanor assault or aggravated assault, contact our offices immediately. We answer the phones (772-489-8501) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Johnathan Jay Kirschner and his firm have over twenty years experience as criminal lawyers defending Fort Pierce residents from a wide variety of assault charges. A Fort Pierce assault lawyer from our firm will help you get a proper defense that reduces or even eliminates jail time and fines.