Weapons Charges

The penalty for a weapons related charge in Florida can range from a misdemeanor to a minimum mandatory life sentence. If accused of an offense involving a weapon or a firearm you need the advice and counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Florida laws regarding weapons and firearms are complex, and designed to allow prosecutors to seek longer and mandatory sentences of up to life in prison for crimes involving weapons and firearms.

For example, the burglary of a dwelling is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison. However, if the burglar was, or became, armed by stealing a weapon from the home during the commission of the burglary, that can be prosecuted as an armed burglary, which is punishable by life in prison. Yes, that's right. If you commit the burglary of a home, and in the process you steal a weapon or firearm from that home, the state can put you in prison for the rest of your life. Although such a harsh sentence is not likely for a first-time offender, it is foolish to take chances with an inexperienced attorney when the stakes are so high, and especially if you already have one or more prior convictions.

The Florida law also requires a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 10 years for possessing a firearm, 20 years for discharging a firearm (even if no one was injured), and 25 years to life for discharging a firearm and causing death or great bodily injury during the commission of certain felonies. In other words, if you used a gun, you could be done!

When you are charged with a weapons offense, your should retain an experienced criminal defense attorney possessing the knowledge required to avoid or mitigate the severe penalties required under Florida's complicated and harsh anti-weapons laws. I have over sixteen years experience handling weapons-related charges such as:

• Carrying concealed weapons or firearms
• Improper display or open carrying of weapons
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Aggravated assault
• Aggravated battery
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Aggravated abuse of a child, the elderly or the disable
• Destructive devices or bombs
• Carjacking
• Home-invasion robbery
• Aggravated stalking
• Trafficking in cocaine, cannabis, or other drugs

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