Tampa Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer

Have You Been Charged with a Violent Crime?

Crimes committed against another individual are some of the most serious offenses in the criminal justice system.

Violent crimes include a wide range of offenses that involve bodily harm, threats of bodily harm or actions committed against a victim’s will. Violent crimes can include:

• Armed robbery
• Assault
• Battery
• Domestic violence
• Harassment
• Homicide and manslaughter
• Kidnapping
• Stalking

Battery and Domestic Battery Defense in Tampa Bay

Attorney Ron Frey defends people accused of battery and domestic battery in Tampa, throughout Hillsborough County and Pinellas County, and across the Tampa Bay area. Every violent crime allegation is serious, though there are different levels. Attorney Ron Frey has handled cases ranging from misdemeanor battery to very serious allegations such as attempted murder in Hillsborough County. Other violent crime charges, including assault, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, robbery, and homicide, are also handled, including in federal court in the Middle District of Florida. If you or a friend or family member is facing a battery or domestic battery accusation, it is important to get legal guidance early.

One of the Most Misunderstood Charges

Battery is among the most misunderstood criminal charges. Many people picture a bar fight, but under Florida law the charge can cover a wide range of conduct, such as pulling someone’s shirt, a push, briefly grabbing an arm, or grabbing a phone out of someone’s hand. No injury or damage is required. Section 784.03, “Battery; felony battery,” defines battery as actually and intentionally touching or striking another person against their will, or intentionally causing bodily harm, and sets out when a battery can be charged as a felony. When the people involved are family or household members, Section 741.28, “Domestic violence; definitions,” treats a battery as domestic violence. That definition includes spouses, former spouses, people related by blood or marriage, people who live or have lived together as a family, and parents of a child in common. These charges affect people from every walk of life, including doctors, lawyers, nurses, and other professionals, as well as people in relationship disputes or a heated argument. Laws change, so contact Attorney Ron Frey to discuss your case and the current state of the law.

An Arrest Can Happen Even When No One Wants One

In many domestic battery cases, the arrest happens quickly. A loud argument leads a neighbor or someone else to call the police, and someone tells officers they were pushed. Section 901.15, “When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful,” allows an officer to arrest without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe a person committed an act of domestic violence or a battery. The law states that the decision to arrest in a domestic violence case does not require the consent of the alleged victim. That means a person can be arrested even when the other person does not want anyone arrested. Laws change, so contact Attorney Ron Frey to discuss your case and the current state of the law.

What Follows an Arrest, and Why Acting Early Matters

An arrest can set off a chain of consequences: a mug shot, a bond hearing, possible reporting to a professional licensing board, and problems at work. A case may begin with a stop, a search, a seizure, an inquiry or call from law enforcement, an investigation, an arrest, or a target letter, and you have rights at every stage. Contact a lawyer before answering questions. Acting early allows evidence to be gathered sooner through counsel, sometimes with the help of private investigators. Video, audio, and security-camera footage can be lost or recorded over if no one moves to preserve it. When the alleged victim does not want to prosecute, Attorney Ron Frey can communicate with the prosecution before charges are filed, so that information can be considered at that stage.

Every Case Is Different: Talk With Attorney Ron Frey

The details are different in every case. Deadlines, requirements, obligations, and strategies are unique to each case, and information on a website can’t simply be applied to your circumstances. Contact Attorney Ron Frey for a free, confidential initial consultation by phone, video, or in person. Call or text (813) 775-2276 to talk about your case or the case of a friend or family member. You can also read more about domestic violence charges or contact us online.

How Can a Criminal Lawyer Help?

If you are investigated for a violent crime but never charged, it still can leavea stain on your reputationthat never goes away. That is why it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as you believe you are the subject of an investigation.

If you have been charged, Attorney Ron Frey can carefully review the government’s case and make sure your rights are being protected.

The smallest details can matter. Investigators make mistakes, and at The Frey Law Firm, LLC, in Tampa, Florida, Attorney Ron Frey looks closely for those errors.

Are You a First-time Offender?

First-time offenders often face some of the greatest challenges in the criminal justice system. First-timers believe they will be treated fairly if they speak freely and answer every question the police ask. Unfortunately, that is not how the system works. First-time offenders are often unfamiliar with investigators’ tactics and can be hurt by trusting the process.

At The Frey Law Firm, LLC, we represent criminal defendants of all types, but we focus especially on helping individuals who are in the criminal justice system for the first time. We know how investigators and prosecutors can approach first-time offenders, and we work to make sure your rights are protected.