Violent Crimes
AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE & DEDICATED REPRESENTATION
Our Panama City Firm Has Much to Offer. Learn Why People Choose Shepard Law.
Criminal Defense
Violent Crimes
No Charges Aggravated Assault
ALLEGATION: Client arrested for drive-by shooting and was facing the possibility of a minimum mandatory 15 year prison sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. RESULT: After consulting with with prosecutors and law enforcement NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
Negotiated Plea DUI Manslaughter
ALLEGATION: Client charged with DUI Manslaughter. Client faced up to 15 years prison and a permanent loss of his drivers’ license. RESULT: Client entered negotiated plea to probation and is eligible to drive with a hardship license.
Not Convicted Sexual Battery
ALLEGATION: Client who holds a professional certification and license with the State of Florida was accused of Sexual Battery with the possibility of 15 years prison and mandatory “Sexual Offender” designation. Arrest was reported in the Panama City News Herald. RESULT: Charge reduced without consent of victim to simple battery (misdemeanor). Client NOT CONVICTED of any criminal offense and not designated a Sexual Offender. Client able to return to work without loss of professional certification and license
Client NOT CONVICTED Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation for a second time by failing to report (“absconding”), committing a new crime of Battery, not completing DUI school and failing to complete court ordered community service hours.
Not Convicted Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation by failing to report (“absconding”) and committing a new felony of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery. Client was on probation for 7 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 6 counts of Forgery, and 6 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.
Panama City Violent Crimes Attorney
Serious Charges Require Serious Defence
Violent crime charges in Florida carry some of the most severe penalties in the criminal code — including mandatory minimum sentences, life imprisonment, and in some cases the death penalty. When the stakes are this high, the attorney you choose matters more than in any other type of case.
Rusty Shepard is a former Assistant State Attorney with 25 years of criminal defence experience and 10,000+ cases handled in Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit. He has tried serious violent crime cases before Bay County juries and knows the judges, prosecutors, and court procedures involved in these cases better than almost any attorney in the region.
Violent Crime Charges We Defend
- Homicide — murder in the first, second, and third degree
- Manslaughter — voluntary and involuntary
- Aggravated assault and aggravated battery
- Robbery — with and without weapons
- Kidnapping and false imprisonment
- Carjacking
- Child abuse and aggravated child abuse
- Domestic violence — assault, battery, and aggravated offences
- Stalking and aggravated stalking
- Gun crimes — discharge, display, and possession charges under 10-20-Life
Florida's 10-20-Life Law — Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Florida’s 10-20-Life sentencing law imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences for violent crimes involving firearms that judges cannot reduce regardless of circumstances:
- Possession of a firearm during a qualifying violent felony — mandatory 10-year minimum
- Discharge of a firearm during a qualifying violent felony — mandatory 20-year minimum
- Discharge causing death or great bodily harm — mandatory 25 years to life
These sentences apply automatically upon conviction. Avoiding a conviction — or negotiating a charge that does not trigger 10-20-Life — is the priority in every gun-related violent crime case.
Penalties for Violent Crimes in Florida
- Aggravated Assault (§784.021) — Third degree felony, up to 5 years prison, $5,000 fine
- Aggravated Battery (§784.045) — Second degree felony, up to 15 years prison, $10,000 fine
- Aggravated Battery with a Weapon (§784.045 + §775.087) — First degree felony, up to 30 years, $15,000 fine
- Aggravated Battery with a Firearm or Burglary with Battery — Felony punishable by life
- Murder (§782.04) — Life imprisonment or death penalty
Defence Strategies for Violent Crime Charges
Every violent crime case is built on evidence — witness testimony, physical evidence, forensic analysis, and police procedures. Rusty Shepard examines every element:
- Self-defence and Stand Your Ground — Florida law does not require retreat before using force to prevent death or serious bodily harm
- Defence of others — force used to protect a third party from imminent harm
- Challenging witness credibility — inconsistencies, motives, identification reliability
- Forensic evidence challenges — DNA, ballistics, blood pattern analysis, and chain of custody
- Fourth Amendment violations — unlawful searches, seizures, or arrests that can result in evidence suppression
- Mistaken identity — particularly in cases involving brief or chaotic confrontations
- Lack of intent — specific intent is required for many violent crime charges and can be challenged
Facing violent crime charges in Panama City or Bay County? Call Shepard Law immediately at (850) 290-2505. Available 24/7. Free consultation.
Criminal Defense
Violent Crimes
No Charges Aggravated Assault
ALLEGATION: Client arrested for drive-by shooting and was facing the possibility of a minimum mandatory 15 year prison sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. RESULT: After consulting with with prosecutors and law enforcement NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
Negotiated Plea DUI Manslaughter
ALLEGATION: Client charged with DUI Manslaughter. Client faced up to 15 years prison and a permanent loss of his drivers’ license. RESULT: Client entered negotiated plea to probation and is eligible to drive with a hardship license.
Not Convicted Sexual Battery
ALLEGATION: Client who holds a professional certification and license with the State of Florida was accused of Sexual Battery with the possibility of 15 years prison and mandatory “Sexual Offender” designation. Arrest was reported in the Panama City News Herald. RESULT: Charge reduced without consent of victim to simple battery (misdemeanor). Client NOT CONVICTED of any criminal offense and not designated a Sexual Offender. Client able to return to work without loss of professional certification and license
Client NOT CONVICTED Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation for a second time by failing to report (“absconding”), committing a new crime of Battery, not completing DUI school and failing to complete court ordered community service hours.
Not Convicted Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation by failing to report (“absconding”) and committing a new felony of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery. Client was on probation for 7 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 6 counts of Forgery, and 6 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.
What Sets Shepard Law Apart?
Your case is our priority. We aim for the best outcome.
We understand the complexities of the legal system and the impact on your life. Our focus is on securing your future.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
Our clients’ voices matter. Read about real cases and the positive outcomes achieved with our legal guidance.
Personable and understanding
“Rusty is very personable and accommodating. He made himself available on short notice and met with me after hours. He told me not to worry and got everything dismissed in court this morning! Thank you Rusty and Lisa!!!”
– Lauren
Sweetest, kindest, most Professional #1
“Mr. Shepard and his staff are amazing! They went above and beyond to help me. I would not want anyone else on my team! I am young and despite that, he made sure that the judge saw me as a person and not just a young person. He and his office even spent extra time with me and attended to every single thousand question that I had. They could not get a better rating 10 stars!!”
– Jessica
Absolutely Recommend
“Shepard Law is truly one of a kind!!! Their team of attorneys and support staff knows criminal law inside and out. They will take a case to trial with no fear and are a force to be seen in the courtroom!!!! They are compassionate and make their clients feel supported every single step of the way. They are flexible with payment options, which allows everyone to be able to receive TOP QUALITY representation. I would absolutely recommend Shepherd Law to any of my friends or family members without hesitation.”
– Vanessa M.
Under a time line!!!
“My wife and I found out on a Monday that we needed a Defense Attorney on Tuesday for a family situation. I called the office and Megan quickly contacted Rusty and he reassured us that he would be at court on Tuesday and he would take care of everything. Those words were the most comforting we’ve heard as this came up not long after Hurricane Michael. Rusty and his office has no idea how much he helped us and how much we appreciate their quick response. Thank you will never cover how much you guys mean to us.”
– Craig E.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
At Shepard Law, we’re always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (850) 290-2505 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.
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