Daytona Beach Child Abuse Defense Lawyer
We Have Offices Conveniently Located in Deland and Daytona Beach
Child abuse is a very serious crime. We have seen it in the movies, and heard horror stories on the news. What happens if you are accused and arrested for child abuse? What do you need to know? First it is important to note that just like most crimes, there are levels of child abuse that address the severity of the crime committed. It is important to understand the different levels, and to understand what charge you could be facing. Florida Statute 827 outlines these different levels, child abuse and aggravated child abuse, and the consequences you will face if you are convicted of those crimes.
Florida statute outlines child abuse as the following:
- When someone intentionally inflicts physical or mental injury upon a child;
- When someone commits an intentional act that could be reasonably expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child;
- When someone actively encourages any other person to commit an act that would be reasonably expected to result in physical or mental injury of the child.
If you are accused and convicted of child abuse without great bodily harm, you will be facing a felony in the third degree. A felony in the third degree is punishable by up to five years in prison, and up to $5,000 in fines.
Have you been charged with a crime in Central Florida? With offices conveniently located in DeLand and Daytona Beach, our team can defend you against your criminal charges. Contact us today at (386) 280-4977!
The crime of child abuse escalates in severity depending on how severe the abuse of the child was. This can be determined by the level of harm caused to the child. If the abuse is severe, the crime becomes aggravated child abuse. Florida statute defines aggravated child abuse as occurring when:
- A person commits aggravated battery on a child.
- Willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or willfully and unlawfully cages a child;
- Knowingly or willfully abuses a child and in doing so causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the child.
According to the statute outlined above, maliciously means to do something wrongfully, intentionally, and without legal justification or excuse. If you are convicted of aggravated child abuse, you will be facing a first degree felony charge. A first degree felony is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 30 years, and up to $10,000 in fines.
The crime of child abuse is serious. A prison sentence, especially one as long as 30 years, is something that disrupts and impacts your life forever. In addition, no one wants to carry around the label of a “child abuser.” If you are charged with child abuse or aggravated child abuse, you need to take it seriously. You need someone on your side who will fight for you, and has the experience to help you put your life back together after your arrest. Attorney Matthew Thompson has years of experience. First serving as a prosecutor, Attorney Thompson has trial experience and first-hand knowledge of how the State works in these types of cases. Matt Thompson has handled many child abuse cases before, and brings that experience to your case. He will craft a custom defense specifically for you, to defend you the way you deserve. For a free consultation, call Thomson Law today at (386) 280-4977. Your consultation can be scheduled in DeLand or Daytona Beach, depending on your location, we make it easy and convenient for you to get the legal representation you need.
Client-Focused. RESULT-DRIVEN.
Working Closely with You To Build a Strong Case
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Charges Reduced, Guidelines Waived, No Probation Failure to Register as a Career Criminal
The Client was arrested out of State for a warrant for failure to register as a career criminal. This violated his probation out of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Attorney Thompson was able to track the Client’s addresses and discovered that his landlord at the time lied to his probation officer about his renting an apartment because the landlord was not zoned to allow tenants. The State agreed to a time-served sentence for the time he spent in custody being transported to Florida.
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Penalties Reduced Grand Theft, Fleeing, Possession of a Fictitious Driver’s License
Attorney Matt Thompson, through depositions and litigation was able to show that officers did not act according to the warrant by picking up the client immediately upon sight. The charge of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, which carries a mandatory felony conviction, was dismissed by the State and the client was offered probation and no felony conviction.
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All Charges Reduced Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Client was accused of shooting a shotgun over the head of two minors. Attorney Thompson did a public records request to discover that officers reported to the scene of the crime the night of the incident and spoke to the victims on the evening the alleged crime occurred and believed the victims to be intoxicated and unreliable. Attorney Thompson conducted depositions of the officers and ultimately all charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and no incarceration.
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All Charges Dismissed Domestic Violence
Client was texting a friend when her significant other tried to grab for her phone. When the client tried to pull away, the victim claimed that he was battered and the client was arrested and brought before DCF due a child being in the house. Attorney Matt Thompson wrote a letter to the State explaining the discrepancy in evidence and claimed that the client was in fact moving away from the victim and did not intentionally try to hit the victim. All charges against the client were dismissed.
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All Charges Dismissed Battery
The Client was working as a part time substitute teacher to help generate income to help his sick child granddaughter. While working there were children acting up and he instructed the child to stay in his seat while the others went to recess. The child claimed that the client hit him and told administration. Attorney Thompson did a public records request to obtain reports from the Department of Children and Families and noticed serious discrepancies in the child’s story. Attorney Thompson was able to p
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All Charges Dismissed Resisting an Officer Without Violence
The Client was attending a wedding and stayed in a hotel after the reception. Someone called the police regarding a noise complaint. When the police arrived, the Client would not allow the police to enter his hotel room. The police forced entry and arrested the Client for Resisting and Officer Without Violence. Attorney Thompson provided case law to the State that shows that the police officer did not have the right to enter the hotel room and arrest the Client.