Serious Felony Charges Demand a Serious Defense.

When prison exposure, your reputation, and your future are at stake, the defense must begin with the evidence—not assumptions.

Call (941) 313-2559

SERIOUS FELONY & VIOLENT-CRIME DEFENSE

Early Action Matters in Felony Cases

A serious felony case can affect liberty, employment, professional licensing, family relationships, firearm rights, and long-term reputation. The immediate task is to understand the actual charge, the available evidence, and the deadlines ahead.

The defense may require review of witness statements, forensic evidence, digital records, video, search warrants, identification procedures, injuries, alleged weapons, and the circumstances surrounding an arrest or surrender.

Attorney Dan Hassinger has 15 years of legal practice, including years of trial work defending serious felony cases, and 15 years of prior law-enforcement experience involving investigations, surveillance, interviews, informants, recorded communications, and evidence development.

Each case requires its own assessment of the elements, admissibility of evidence, credibility, defenses, sentencing exposure, and the client’s personal and professional priorities.

Call (941) 313-2559 to request a confidential case review.

Serious Felony Matters May Include

  • Aggravated assault and aggravated battery

  • Robbery, burglary, and home-invasion allegations

  • Weapons and firearm-related charges

  • Kidnapping and false-imprisonment allegations

  • Serious theft and property offenses

  • Organized schemes and conspiracy allegations

  • Cases involving enhanced or repeat-offender exposure

  • Investigations that may lead to felony charges

Test Every Part of the State’s Case

A charge is an accusation. A defense review should examine how the investigation began, whether searches and statements were lawful, what the physical and digital evidence actually shows, and whether the witnesses and conclusions can withstand careful testing.

Understanding Felony Exposure in Florida

Florida generally authorizes up to five years for a third-degree felony, up to 15 years for a second-degree felony, and up to 30 years for a first-degree felony. Some first-degree felonies may be punishable by life, and life or capital felonies follow different rules.

Those maximums are not predictions. The charged offense, scoresheet, other charges, prior record, injury, weapon allegations, release status, enhancement notices, and offense-specific mandatory terms can change the analysis.

Self-Defense and Violent-Crime Allegations

Self-defense may be important when the facts support it, but the analysis is highly specific. The timing and degree of force, conduct of the people involved, injuries, threats, video, witness accounts, location, and reasonableness of the perceived danger may all matter.

Florida law also provides procedures for seeking immunity in qualifying cases. An assertion of self-defense does not automatically end a prosecution. The evidence and current law must be evaluated before deciding whether and how to raise it.

Experience Relevant to Serious Felony Defense

Attorney Dan Hassinger has practiced law for 15 years and has years of trial experience defending serious felony cases. Before practicing law, he served 15 years in law enforcement.

His investigative background includes undercover work, surveillance, confidential informants, court-authorized interception of communications, interviews, fraud and financial-crime investigations, and evidence development. That experience informs review of investigative choices, witness accounts, attribution, searches, recordings, and the gap between an allegation and the complete record.

What Happens After You Call

  1. We obtain the basic case information and complete a conflicts check.

  2. Dan reviews the charge, custody or release status, court date, documents, and immediate risks.

  3. You receive a clear explanation of the next steps and what representation would involve.

  4. If the matter is accepted, the scope and fee are confirmed in a written engagement agreement.

Serious Felony FAQs

What makes a felony charge “serious” in Florida?

All felony charges are serious, but potential imprisonment, offense degree, mandatory provisions, injury, weapon allegations, prior record, and collateral consequences can increase the stakes. The charged statute and charging document control the starting analysis.

Does the felony degree tell me what sentence I will receive?

No. The degree establishes a statutory range, but scoresheet factors, other charges, prior record, injury points, enhancements, mandatory terms, mitigation, and court rulings may affect the analysis.

Can prior convictions increase the potential sentence?

They can. Prior record may affect the scoresheet, and a qualifying record may support a separate enhanced-sentencing notice. Application requires review of the prior cases and current charge.

What evidence should be preserved immediately?

Preserve messages, photographs, video, call and location records, receipts, witness names, medical records, and every court or release document. Do not alter, delete, conceal, or move evidence.

Can self-defense apply to an aggravated assault or battery allegation?

Possibly, when supported by the facts and law. The review should compare statements with physical evidence, injuries, video, witness accounts, timing, location, and the perceived threat.

Request a Confidential Felony Case Review

Call (941) 313-2559 or send a brief message using the form below. Please do not include confidential information before a conflicts check.

Early review can help preserve favorable evidence, address immediate restrictions, and establish a disciplined plan for the next court date.