Deadly Weapon Offenses in Southwest Florida
State and federal laws tack on extra prison time if a firearm is used in committing any felony. Merely possessing or having access to a gun can add many years to a sentence, even for burglary, assault or drug offenses. If the gun itself is illegal or you are not allowed to have one, it raises the stakes even higher.
To avoid hard time for gun crimes, you need a lawyer who can defend you on the underlying charges and fight the weapons enhancement at sentencing. I am Charles Harris, an attorney practicing only in criminal defense. My 30 years of experience includes extensive work in federal court and federal sentencing guidelines.
I represent anyone facing weapons charges in Southwest Florida, from Fort Myers and Naples to Punta Gorda and Sarasota. Contact me today for a free initial consultation.
Gun Crimes Defense Lawyer
Aiming a gun at someone constitutes aggravated assault and shooting them becomes aggravated battery. Firearms are enhancements to other crimes in every case. Under Florida law:
- Carrying or brandishing a gun adds up to 10 years.
- Aiming and firing adds up to 20 years.
- Injuring or killing someone carries up to a life sentence.
- These are mandatory minimum enhancements for drug-related crimes.
Because these add-on charges can more than double the sentence for the underlying crime, aggressive representation is critical. I work to get enhancements dismissed or downgraded by challenging the connection and establishing grounds for downward departure from the mandatory sentence. Was the gun unloaded or inoperable? Was it on your person or found in a search of your house or car? Was the search legitimate? Can the prosecution really tie the gun to you?
I have also defended clients on stand-alone gun crimes:
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Short-barrel shotgun, automatic weapon or readily convertible to automatic
- Concealed, unregistered or stolen gun
- Illegal discharge
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I understand what's at stake and I know how to deal with these cases. Call my Fort Myers law office at 239-935-5703 before admitting anything to police.
