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AGGRAVATED ASSAULT BY THREAT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON (F.S. 784.021)
CASE DISMISSED/NOLLE PROSEQUI
Santa Rosa County, FL
July 17, 2025
Client was charged in Santa Rosa County, Florida with AGGRAVATED ASSAULT BY THREAT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON (F.S. § 784.021) — an allegation that carries serious felony exposure and real, lasting consequences. Even when an assault never results in physical injury, an aggravated-assault theory tied to a deadly weapon can expose a defendant to a felony conviction (commonly a third-degree felony), potential imprisonment (typically up to 5 years), significant fines, and the collateral fallout: loss of employment opportunities, damage to reputation, restrictions on firearms, and consequences for licensing or immigration.
We treated the matter as high-stakes from day one. Our team preserved and reviewed all available evidence, immediately demanded full discovery, and focused the defense on the elements the State would need to prove: the existence of a deadly weapon, the defendant’s culpable intent, and the reliability of the complaining witness. We exposed inconsistencies in the State’s timeline and witness accounts, attacked credibility where appropriate, and made our trial-readiness unmistakable — filing targeted motions, preparing key impeachment lines, and lining up necessary investigative follow-up. The result: the Office of the State Attorney filed a NOLLE PROSEQUI, dismissing the charge. That dismissal spared the client potential jail time, fines, and a criminal record, protected their standing in the community, and preserved future work and housing opportunities. In short — by refusing weak offers, insisting on proof, and preparing to try the case, we removed a serious legal threat and protected the client’s future.