Tampa Gun Crimes Lawyer

Gun Crimes Lawyer Tampa, FL

Florida has some of the harshest penalties for gun crimes in the country. If you’re convicted of a gun crime, or if firearms or other weapons were used in the commission of a crime, you could be looking at years, potentially decades, in jail.

With mandatory minimum sentencing on the table for many Florida gun crimes, it’s critical to be represented by a knowledgeable, experienced Tampa, FL, gun crimes lawyer. Even a misdemeanor charge affects your permanent record or jeopardizes your right to own a firearm.

We want to help you. If you have been charged with any type of weapons, firearm, or gun crime, contact StechLaw Criminal Defense right away. We protect your rights, starting with your rights in police custody and during questioning. We also advocate for your legal interests, using our deep knowledge of Florida law to defend you in court. Call today – don’t risk your future!

Dedicated Tampa Gun Crimes Lawyer Fighting For Your Rights

If you are facing gun charges in Florida, you may already realize that your future is in a precarious position. Our gun and weapons crime defense attorneys defend against even the most serious felony charges, advocating for your rights. As former prosecutors, we know how the other side operates, so we’re uniquely qualified to construct a strong case in your defense.

Our investigators and legal team thoroughly investigate your case, gathering evidence and witness testimony to use in your defense. We also review the evidence that the prosecutor has against you, looking for flaws in the evidence itself or in the police procedures to gather the evidence. We go over everything meticulously, looking for errors that could lead to a dismissal of your charges or a reduction in the charges.

Gun Crimes In Florida Are Serious – You Need Legal Protection For Your Rights

Gun crimes can be complex criminal cases. You deserve a vigorous defense from attorneys who have experience on both sides of the courtroom. If you’re convicted of a gun crime that carries mandatory minimum sentencing, you’ll be in a Florida state prison for years, segregated with dangerous, violent offenders.

Our attorneys work to mitigate the charges against you, defending your rights in court. Should you be convicted, our help is essential. We can argue mitigating factors in your case to reduce the penalty or even contest a mandatory sentence. We’re committed to your rights and fighting for your freedom.

In the state of Florida, a program called 10-20-life imposes mandatory minimum terms of incarceration for certain gun crimes. The 10-20-life rules apply to even relatively minor gun offenses where no one is hurt, such as a felon in possession of a firearm. For more serious gun crimes, you could face life in prison.

Not every gun crime charges leads to serious consequences. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you raise possible defenses to help you avoid a guilty verdict. A Tampa gun crimes lawyer can also help you to negotiate a plea bargain to lesser charges in certain cases to avoid the serious sanctions of 10-20-life.  To learn more about how a Tampa Bay criminal defense lawyer can help you, contact StechLaw Criminal Defense today.

Florida Gun Crimes

In Florida, you must have a license to possess a firearm and you must use that firearm lawfully. Certain individuals are not permitted to have guns, including people with a felony on their record. If you do have lawful possession of a firearm, it is illegal to use that weapon to commit a crime, intimidate someone or cause someone harm.

Offenses related to firearms are punished harshly under Florida’s 10-20-life rules. For example:

• Felons who are in possession of firearms are subject to a mandatory minimum three year prison term if convicted of felon in possession charges.
• Committing certain felonies, such as armed robbery, or attempting to commit certain felonies while in possession of a firearm or destructive device will result in a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term if convicted.
• If a firearm is discharged illegally or during the commission of a crime, a conviction leads to a mandatory 20-year prison term.
• If someone is injured or killed by the firearm, there is a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 25 years to life.

Under the law, these prison sentences must be served consecutively with other terms of incarceration that you may be sentenced to based on the other crimes you committed. For example, if you are serving time for armed robbery and robbery with a firearm, you would serve your prison sentence for armed robbery and then your prison sentence for possessing a gun during the robbery.

Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon

Other laws in Florida also impose harsh penalties on those convicted of gun violence. For example, a simple battery charge becomes aggravated battery – a second degree felony with a possible 15 year prison sentence – if you use a gun or other deadly weapon.

Defenses to Gun Crimes Charges

If you are charged with a gun crime, a Clearwater criminal defense attorney at StechLaw Criminal Defense can help you to raise a number of different defenses. For example, three possible defenses that may help you to avoid conviction include:

• The identity defense. This defense centers on raising doubts as to whether law enforcement can actually prove that you were the one with the firearm. When arguing an identity defense, you can raise issues of witness bias and witness impairment. Police may have put you into a biased lineup, or the witness may have seen you elsewhere before and simply picked you out of the lineup because your face looked familiar- but not from the crime. Remember, all you have to do is introduce doubt as to your guilt in order to avoid conviction.
• Self-defense. You have the right to defend yourself with deadly force, including the use of a firearm. Under Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws, you have the right to use this force without the need to retreat. If the victim had a gun or caused you to experience reasonable fear or apprehension, you may be able to successfully avoid conviction by proving you acted to defend yourself.
• Lack of proof of actual possession. Law enforcement has the burden of proving that you actually had a gun during the crime that you committed.  If they are unable to do this, then you cannot be convicted of the crime. Issues that may arise when arguing lack of proof of possession include whether police found your fingerprints on the gun or whether law enforcement did a gun residue test to detect the presence of gun powder on your hands.

Contact StechLaw Criminal Defense

Because of the serious nature of gun crimes, it is imperative to seek legal help from a qualified Tampa criminal defense attorney as soon as you are accused of a crime involving a deadly weapon. StechLaw Criminal Defense has represented many clients facing gun crimes charges and helped them to achieve the most favorable outcome possible. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Do You Need A Lawyer? Call Us Today – We Can Protect You

If you’ve been charged with a gun crime in Florida, you could be facing minimum mandatory sentencing – meaning that you could see at least a decade in prison! Even after you’ve served your sentence, the repercussions of a gun crime conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life, affecting your housing and employment prospects or even your ability to get federal financial aid for college!

With so much at risk, don’t trust your future to anyone but the best—the defense attorneys at StechLaw Criminal Defense. Contact us today to speak with an experienced Tampa gun crimes lawyer about your case.

Types of Gun Crimes We Handle

Florida has some of the strictest penalties for gun crimes in the country, and many offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences. A conviction can result in years in prison, loss of firearm rights, and lasting damage to your future. StechLaw Criminal Defense represents individuals throughout Florida who are facing serious weapons-related charges.

A Tampa gun crimes lawyer handles a wide range of offenses involving firearms and other weapons. Below are the most common types of cases within this practice area:

• Possession by a Convicted Felon: Under Florida law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. This offense is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Federal charges may also apply, which can carry even harsher penalties.
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a License: While Florida now allows permitless carry in many situations, certain restrictions still apply. Violating concealed carry laws can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances. Prior convictions or the location of the offense can increase the severity of penalties.
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm: Knowingly possessing a firearm that has been stolen is a serious felony offense. Prosecutors must prove you knew or should have known the weapon was stolen. Purchasing firearms from unofficial sources can lead to these charges even if you had no direct involvement in the theft.
• Improper Exhibition of a Firearm: Displaying a weapon in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner is a first-degree misdemeanor. This charge often arises from disputes, road rage incidents, or confrontations that escalate. Repeat offenses or aggravating factors can result in enhanced penalties.
• Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault: Using a firearm during the commission of another crime triggers Florida’s 10-20-Life law. This means mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years for possessing a gun, 20 years for firing it, and 25 years to life for causing injury. These sentencing enhancements leave judges with little discretion.
• Weapons Trafficking: Selling, delivering, or transporting illegal firearms can result in state or federal trafficking charges. These cases often involve undercover operations and cooperating witnesses. Penalties include lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.
• Possession of an Illegal Firearm or Weapon: Certain weapons are prohibited under Florida law, including short-barreled rifles, machine guns, and destructive devices. Possession of these weapons without proper federal licensing is a felony. Law enforcement frequently discovers these charges during traffic stops or searches related to other investigations.
• Discharge of a Firearm in Public: Firing a weapon in a residential area or public place is a first-degree misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances. Injuries or property damage can significantly increase the charges. Even celebratory gunfire can result in arrest and prosecution.
• Use of a Firearm by a Minor: Minors found in possession of firearms face juvenile charges that can have lasting consequences. Parents or guardians who allow minors access to improperly stored firearms may also face criminal liability. These cases often involve school-related incidents or accidental discharges.

If you are facing weapons charges, speaking with a Tampa gun crimes lawyer can help you understand the potential consequences and begin building a defense strategy.

Gun crime charges carry severe penalties that can affect the rest of your life, but defenses are available. Challenging the legality of searches, questioning the evidence, and presenting mitigating circumstances can all make a difference. Contact our team today to discuss your case and explore your options.