West Palm Beach Assault Attorney

Defending those facing assault charges

Any action which intentionally threatens physical violence can be charged as assault under Florida law. It may be a gesture or a verbal communication, but the key requirement is that the victim would have reason to fear imminent violence or physical harm. Even angry words can result in allegations of assault.

Battery can be charged separately from assault, which means that the term "assault and battery" is actually two offenses. A person is guilty of battery when they come into unwanted and illegal physical contact with another person, such as striking the victim or throwing an object so that it hits the victim.

Penalties for Assault in Florida

Assault is a 2nd-degree misdemeanor crime and, if you are convicted, you may be fined up to $500 and spend as many as 60 days in county jail. In addition, your sentence may include community service, restitution and a restraining order against you.

Assault charges will be increased to aggravated assault, a third-degree felony crime, if you are accused of committing the act while using a weapon such as a knife or a gun, to threaten the alleged victim. The penalty for aggravated assault is significantly steeper: up to 5 years in prison and fines as high as $5,000.

Protecting Your Future

After you serve your sentence, you may have difficulty finding employment, because many companies will not hire someone with an assault conviction on their criminal record. If you have been charged with assault, you need the assistance of an aggressive West Palm Beach criminal attorney to protect you from the prosecution's attempts to have you proven guilty. Pick up the phone today and schedule a consultation with West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer Phillip T. Ridolfo, Jr.!

Contact the Law Offices of Phillip T. Ridolfo, Jr.

Come to my firm for experienced representation for assault charges. Your case will receive personal attention from me; I will not delegate the work to a junior attorney and when you need assistance, I will be available for you. I have over 25 years of experience in criminal defense and I take pride in fighting to protect the legal rights of those who have been accused.

When you have been charged with assault, you may feel that your case has already been decided in the minds of law enforcement and the state, but my goal is to help you have your charges dropped or reduced through careful preparation of your case and aggressive negotiations and litigation.