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.
The crime of child abuse escalates in severity depending on how severe the abuse of the child was. This is 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 the occurring when:
- A person commits aggravated battery on a child.
- Willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or willfully and unlawfully cages a child;
- Knowingly or willingly 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 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 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 your ways 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-
Domestic ViolenceClient 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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Sale and Possession of Heroin
Defendant entered a treatment facility while case was pending. Attorney Thompson provided progress reports of all of her progress during her stay to show improvement. State agreed to amend all charges to simple possession and the Defendant was sentenced into Drug Court.
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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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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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Sexual Battery & Domestic Battery
Mr. Thompson took depositions of the victim showing that the victim was not truthful with police when she provided her statement as to what happened. Confronted victim with social media posts, bank records, and telephone records to show that she was not in the places that she stated she was during the time the alleged crime took place. Case 1 was dismissed and the Defendant pled to Case 2 and received two (2) years of prison and credit for fifteen (15) months in prison.
Highly-Respected in the legal Community
GIVE YOUR CASE THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES
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Over 15 Years of ExperienceThere's no substitute for experience. When faced with a serious crime, you need an attorney who has successfully handled numerous cases like yours.
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Aggressive Trial AttorneyMatt Thompson is a skilled trial attorney and has achieved many positive jury verdicts. If your case goes to trial, you can be confident that Matt is equipped to represent you.
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High-Quality Legal RepresentationAt Thompson Law, P.A., every client matters. This means that your case will receive the personal attention and care it deserves.
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Criminal Defense Is All We DoBecause our firm only focuses on criminal defense matters, you can trust our team has the specific knowledge needed to handle you case successfully.