Tampa Gun Crime Lawyer
Florida treats gun crimes as the serious crimes that they are, even when the offender was simply uninformed about the law and made a mistake. Not only are you potentially facing real prison time, but you could also be penalized by not being allowed to own a firearm in the future. Whether you were arrested for unlawful discharge, unlawful exhibition, or a more serious crime such as felony in possession of a firearm, the Tampa gun crime lawyer at The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. is here to help you fight for your rights and clear your name.
Our Gun Crime Practice Areas
Gun offenses carry anywhere from a misdemeanor to a serious felony, depending on the violation. A first degree misdemeanor carries up to a year in jail, while a second degree felony that goes with ‘felony in possession’ of a firearm carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years, and up to 15 years. Some of the most common gun crimes we defend against include:
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Improper Exhibition of a Firearm
- Shooting Into an Occupied Dwelling
- Felon in Possession
- Discharge of a Firearm in Public
Florida’s 10/20/Life Law
If, during the commission of certain felonies, an offender used a firearm, they will be penalized with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, 20 years, or 25 years to life in prison. Some of these felonies include:
- Murder
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Sexual assault
- Arons
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated battery
- Carjacking
- Aggravated stalking
If the offender possessed a firearm during the commission of one of these crimes, they must serve a minimum of 10 years in prison. If they fired the weapon, the mandatory minimum is 20 years. If they caused great bodily harm or killed anyone with the firearm, even if accidental, the minimum sentence is 25 years to life.
Federal Gun Crimes
The federal government has its own set of firearm laws that take precedence over state laws if the offense occurred across multiple state lines, involved the USPS, involved offenders from multiple states, or took place on federal property. While these federal offenses are similar to state offenses, being tried in federal court is an even more serious predicament, as the penalties for federal gun crimes are typically more severe than the same state offenses.
Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law
Florida’s stand your ground law enables everyday people to use lethal self defense in certain scenarios. If your life or another person’s life is being threatened, or if an offender was in the process of committing a violent crime, you had the right to use a firearm to stop that individual.
Call a Tampa Gun Crime Lawyer Today
If you were arrested for any type of gun crime, you need to seek legal help. Here at The Matassini Law Firm, P.A., we understand that everyone makes mistakes from time to time, and our Tampa gun crime lawyers are here to help you get a second chance. We also represent individuals who were not in the wrong at all, and simply need an attorney to prove what truly happened. Call a Tampa gun crime lawyer today at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
