Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A Report just released stated a 3-year-old Jacksonville boy was shot in the shoulder when a gun he was handling went off. According to the Police report the bullet struck the floor then ricocheted off, striking the young child in the shoulder. The boy was taken to a local Jacksonville Hospital for treatment.

This is a breaking news story and the details are not fully disclosed at this time. But, as a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer, I do have several points that should be taken under consideration. First, why was a child handling a weapon? Better yet, why was a child handling a LOADED weapon? Second, where were the parents during this incident? Did they approve of his handling or were they neglecting the child and left him to his own devices? All these questions and more will have to be determined for the police to proceed into their investigation.

This type of accident is both tragic and heartbreaking. The 3-year-old will have lasting scars and the horrific memory of being shot; a pain that no one should ever feel. Additionally, depending upon the circumstances, the parents could be facing criminal charges as well. This case is still in the initial stages and only as the facts present themselves, will we be able to predict how this investigation will end.

If Criminal Charges are brought against the parents or other culpable parties, the advice and counsel of a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer could prove invaluable. It is important to contact a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer if you have been charged with a Jacksonville Criminal Offense, they can evaluate your case and make the proper determination as to moving forward so as to protect you and your rights.

In Jacksonville, the crime of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or a controlled substance is usually a misdemeanor. It can be a felony under certain circumstances. A Jacksonville DUI is a felony if it involves death or serious bodily injury. Under these circumstances, a Jacksonville DUI criminal defendant will be facing a minimum prison sentence under the Florida Guidelines. A person arrested for DUI in Jacksonville can be charged with Felony Driving Under the Influence if he or she has 3 or more convictions for DUI.

As a Jacksonville DUI Lawyer, I have represented clients arrested for misdemeanor DUI and felony DUI and have tried several Jacksonville DUI cases. However, I have never seen a felony DUI case like this one. Billie Joe Madden avoided a DUI arrest by having someone else drive his vehicle. Still, he was arrested on felony charges. Instead of being arrested for DUI, he "was arrested and charged with two counts of child desertion, parent allowing a minor to drive, open container and two counts of no child restraint and no seat belt" (News4jax.com). Police officers "said Madden told them he was intoxicated, and fell asleep while his son drove" and his 4-year-old daughter sat in the back seat.

Jacksonville Child Abuse Attorneys for the Defense and State were set to try a Jacksonville Aggravated Child Abuse and Second-Degree Murder case on November 29, 2010 before Judge Soud. However, that trial did not take place. Instead, Jacksonville Criminal Defendant, Chaddrick Banks, plead guilty to the murder charge on November 23, 2010. It appears that he entered into a plea deal with the Duval County State Attorney's Office. He was sentenced to 25 years in Florida State Prison followed by 10 years probation.

Banks Jacksonville Child Abuse case started as an Aggravated Child Abuse arrest, but escalated to second-degree murder when the child died as a result of the injuries she sustained.

A Jacksonville, Florida Child Abuse Case resulted in the Duval County State Attorney's Office filing charges for Second-degree Murder. Jacksonville resident, Chaddrick Banks, was arrested for Aggravated Child Abuse. On October 12, 2009, the Jacksonville State Attorney's Office filed charges for aggravated child abuse and second degree murder due to the the fact that the one-year-old child died as a result of her injuries. On October 15, 2009, Banks pled not guilty to the offense.

If you have been arrested for Child Abuse in Jacksonville, Florida, contact Jacksonville Child Abuse Lawyer, Cynthia Veintemillas, at (904) 685-1200 or cynthiav@jacksonvillelawyer.pro. Child Abuse is a serious charge that requires a strong defense.

On September 21, 2009, Chaddrick Banks was charged with Jacksonville Aggravated Child Abuse. According to local media reports, "Chaddrick Banks had been watching the child Monday night when he called 911 and told a dispatcher the baby had 'just stopped breathing.' When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, police said doctors found the baby's skull was fractured and there was bleeding in the brain."

In Jacksonville, Florida, Aggravated Child Abuse is a first-degree felony. Florida Statute Section 827.03(2) states that Jacksonville "Aggravated child abuse" occurs when a person:

1. Commits aggravated battery on a child;
2. Willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or willfully and unlawfully cages a child; or
3. Knowingly or willfully abuses a child and in so doing causes great bodily harm,
4. permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the child.

In Jacksonville, Florida, Randall Piercy sits in the Duval County Jail awaiting his sentence for child abuse.  This Jacksonville resident recently pled guilty to the charge of aggravated child abuse, but he has been in the custody of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office since his arrest in 2006.