Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Person
Serious Defense for Serious Charges
Certain types of domestic battery cases will be charged as a felony. Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Person, is one of those charges. This crime is a level 7 offense on the Florida Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet, and even a first-time offender, if convicted, will face a mandatory prison sentence. The fact that the victim in the case is pregnant is an “aggravating” factor that enhances a simple misdemeanor battery to a felony.
What Constitutes Battery on a Pregnant Person?
The first requirement is that the victim is pregnant. The Defendant must also know, or should have known, that the victim is pregnant. It is the job of the State to show that the Defendant knew that the victim was pregnant at the time that the battery is committed. Attorney Matt Thompson has handled cases where the woman was near the end of her pregnancy and obviously showing. He has also handled cases where the victim tells the Defendant that she “may” be pregnant but does not actually confirm her pregnancy until after the Defendant is arrested. Regardless of the unique facts in each case, it is the State’s job to prove this beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt.
How Do WE Defend an Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Person Charge?
The best defense in these cases is an early defense. Each and every client that hires us early on in the process to defend them from these charges can expect our domestic violence lawyer to:
- Contact the prosecutor before charges are ever filed.
- Provide the prosecutor with any legal defenses we may have to deter them from formally filing charges against our clients.
- If no legal defenses are applicable at this stage of the case, we provide the prosecutor with mitigation (information that show the character of our client).
Each police report is written with the intention of having a person arrested and held in jail. Police reports are not designed to help the client. We believe that it is better to provide the State with information important to your case before they decide whether to charge you based on the police report.
Mandatory Prison Sentence
The legislature has deemed that this charge is punishable with a mandatory prison sentence regardless of whether you have had any priors. These cases have a lot of jury appeal for the State because any scenario where a pregnant woman is battered inflames the jury’s emotions and they are more likely to convict. Our lawyer believes that the hard work should be done prior to going to trial. If the case cannot be resolved, Attorney Matt Thompson has the skill and experience to take these matters to trial. Regardless of what path your case takes, you will need an experienced and dedicated defense attorney to defend your rights under the Constitution. We would be honored to discuss your case in a no-charge consultation and look forward to discussing your case with you.
Call us at (386) 280-4977 to schedule a consultation.
Client-Focused. RESULT-DRIVEN.
Working Closely with You To Build a Strong Case
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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.
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All Charges Dismissed Aggravated Battery on and Elderly Person
The Defendant and his wife allowed the wife’s elderly mother to come to their home and remove her personal items. During this time the mother began to yell obscenities and attacked E.B. Both parties tried to remove the mother from the home and prevent further physical violence. The mother contacted police and stated that she had been attacked. Attorney Thompson contacted the State Attorney’s Office and met with opposing counsel before charges were filed.
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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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No Charges Filed and Prevented Arrest Grand Theft
Client was caring for her special needs sister. While caring for her she received advice from bank personnel to place her sister’s Disability Checks into a bank account in the Client’s name to avoid other family members from stealing money. Once the family members discovered this they called the police to investigate the Client. Attorney Thompson put together documentation showing how the money was being spent and met with police to further explain the situation. The police determined that there was no
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All Charges Dismissed 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.
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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.