Experienced In Law. Respected Throughout The Legal Community.

Photo of attorneys Gregory J. Morse and Amy Morse

Charged With Assault Or Battery In Florida? Get A Strong Defender On Your Side.

If you have been charged with assault or battery, contact the skilled and experienced criminal defense attorneys at the law firm of King | Morse. We have the experience, knowledge, and resources to effectively defend you against criminal charges. Securing the services of a high-quality criminal defense team can save you months or years of anguish.

Do not wait to speak with a lawyer, contact the law firm of King | Morse, for the caliber of legal representation you need at this time.

By criminal definitions in Florida, an assault is intentional threats, words, or actions that cause a person to feel afraid of impending violence. Threatening to beat up someone, when said in a menacing or angry manner, is assault if the victim can reasonably believe, based on the statement and menacing behavior, that he is about to be struck or injured.

A Legal Definition Of Battery

Florida’s statute 784.011 defines battery as follows:

Battery is actual offensive physical contact, such as punching another person or hitting someone with an object. Striking another person with a fist during an argument and pushing someone are straightforward examples of battery. A more unusual example is grabbing and ripping someone’s clothing in anger. This is considered [an instance of] touching because clothing is an extension of one’s person.

Misdemeanors In Degrees

Simple assault in Florida is a second-degree misdemeanor. Simple battery is a first-degree misdemeanor. Assault against certain victims, such as police officers, the elderly, and school employees is a first-degree misdemeanor; and battery against these victims is a third-degree felony. The special victims identified by the statutes are those who were engaged in the performance of their duties in public service capacities, such as the following:

  • Law enforcement officer or firefighter
  • Emergency medical care provider
  • Public transport employee
  • Breath test operator, while engaged in testing persons under investigation for driving while intoxicated
  • Parking enforcement officer
  • Licensed security officer
  • Employee at a detention or commitment facility for sexually violent offenders, if the defendant knew or had reason to know the victim’s employment status, and
  • Code inspectors, if the offender knew or had reason to know the victim’s employment status.
  • Employees or investigators for the Children and Family Services Department (if the offender knew or had reason to know the victim’s employment status)
  • A person over the age of 65 years of age (the offender need not be aware of victim’s age)
  • Sports officials, while participating in a sporting event or immediately after the event
  • School employees or elected officials (if the defendant knew or had reason to know of the victim’s employee status)
  • Visitors or detainees in a jail or correctional facility (if the offender is a detainee of the jail or correctional facility), and
  • Code inspectors, if the offender knew or had reason to know the victim’s employment status.

Get A Fight For Your Rights And Future On Your Case

If you need a team of aggressive, experienced and respected criminal defense trial attorneys, contact the law office of King | Morse, today. Call 561-489-5056 or send an email inquiry.