Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Re: Battery (Fight on the job)

Hello: I read your question. Only you can decide whether to enter a plea to a charge or not. No lawyer can give you an adequate opinion of the case without knowing the facts, from speaking with you and reading the arrest & booking report.

I can say, the charge is only a misdemeanor, thus the offer of a sentence (punishment) from the State would probably not be severe (unless there is restitution to the alleged victim). If you do not have many, or any, prior convictions, the State would probably be offering a withhold of adjudication of guilt (not a conviction) and court costs.

On the other hand, if you know you did not start the fight and feel it isn't right to plead to it, don't. You can hold out and ask for a trial. Often as it gets close to the trial date, the State may drop the charge. I say that assuming the case simply involves your word against the other guy's and the State knows it would be a hard case to prove in front of a jury.

'Hope this helps. If my office can be of any assistance, please give us a call. Tom Rosenblum, Jacksonville