A Florida woman may be in need of a Port Saint Lucie criminal defense lawyer after a five-hour standoff with police and members of the SWAT team. The situation would eventually end peacefully with the woman’s arrest. The ordeal for the 47-year-old woman began when a call to police reported that the woman had threatened her neighbor with a handgun.
Police officers that responded to the call say that knocks on the door were unanswered and they initially believed the home to be empty. However, an officer was able to view the inside of the home through an unobstructed window and saw that the armed woman was inside the residence. Attempts by police officers to coax the woman outside the home proved fruitless for hours.
The SWAT team, along with crisis negotiators, were called to the scene. The woman was finally convinced to put down the handgun and leave the home. The situation lasted for about five and a half hours.
The female suspect was charged with aggravated assault and is presently being detained in the Port Saint Lucie County Jail.
Aggravated assault is a serious crime in the state of Florida that does not require physical contact to be made with the victim. The crime is focused on the ‘threat’ of violence and becomes more serious when a firearm or other deadly weapon is involved.
Mounting a defense against aggravated assault charges in Florida can be a complex issue. Laws in Florida include special provisions for self-defense when the accused is attacked or threatened in their home, while operating a motor vehicle, or at their place of business. Individuals in Florida charged with aggravated assault should not try to handle this situation on their own. Instead, it is suggested that competent legal counsel is secured.
Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq. is a criminal defense attorney that has expertise at defending the type of cases described above. Kirschner is a board certified lawyer that specialized in defending clients at trial.
Individuals that find themselves or a loved one in need of a Port Saint Lucie Aggravated Assault Attorney should contact Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates, LLC at (772) 489-8501. An online contact form can also be found on the company website.