St. Petersburg Violent Crimes Lawyer

Being accused of a violent crime in St. Petersburg can make you feel like your world is crashing down. The police are asking questions, you might be facing arrest, and the thought of what comes next is terrifying. You may feel alone, scared, and unsure of where to turn. In these moments, it’s easy to lose hope. But you don’t have to face this by yourself. The Lopez Law Group is here to stand by your side. We understand what you’re going through and are ready to fight for you.

When you face serious charges, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a dedicated team that sees you as a person, not just a case number. At the Lopez Law Group, we are part of the St. Petersburg community and treat our clients like family. We will listen to your story, protect your rights, and guide you through every step of the confusing legal process. Your future is on the line; we will do everything possible to protect it. Call St. Petersburg violent crimes lawyer immediately at (727) 933-0015 for a free consultation about your case.

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St. Petersburg Violent Crimes Defense Guide

• Why Choose Lopez Law Group to Defend You Against a Violent Crime Accusation in St. Petersburg?
• What are the Consequences of a Violent Crime Conviction in Florida?
• Violent Crime in St. Petersburg
• What are Considered Violent Crimes in Florida?
• We Help the Accused Navigate the Tough Florida Criminal Justice System
• Steps to Take If Accused of a Violent Crime in St. Petersburg
• Contact Your St. Petersburg Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Today

Why Choose Lopez Law Group to Defend You Against a Violent Crime Accusation in St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg Violent Crimes Attorney, Sean Lopez

Choosing the right lawyer is your most important decision after being accused of a crime. Your freedom, your reputation, and your future depend on it. At the Lopez Law Group, we build our entire practice on trust, honesty, and a deep commitment to our clients. We redefine legal service by being there for you day or night, ready to answer your calls and ease your worries.

Our team, led by experienced criminal defense attorneys, has a strong track record of success throughout the Tampa Bay area. We know how the local courts in Pinellas County work, and we know the prosecutors. This local knowledge is a powerful advantage. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. We know every case is different. We take the time to learn about you and your situation to build a legal plan made just for you. We aim to get the best possible outcome for you, whether that means getting the charges dropped, negotiating a fair plea deal, or winning your case.

Our office is at 700 7th Ave N, Suite A, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, right in the heart of the Historic Uptown neighborhood. We are just a short distance from landmarks like Mirror Lake and the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, making our office easily accessible for our clients throughout the city. We live in this community, too, proudly defending our neighbors with strength and integrity. We believe everyone deserves a powerful defense and are here to provide it.

What are the Consequences of a Violent Crime Conviction in Florida?

A violent crime charge in Florida carries serious consequences—and demands immediate, strategic action. The state has tough laws, and a conviction can change your life forever. These are not just small fines or a slap on the wrist. A conviction for a violent felony can lead to long prison sentences, huge fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you for the rest of your life.

The penalties depend on how serious the crime is. For example, a third-degree felony can lead to up to five years in prison. A second-degree felony can mean up to 15 years. A first-degree felony can result in 30 years to life in prison. For the most serious crimes, like murder, a conviction can even lead to the death penalty.

Florida is famous for its strict “10-20-Life” law. This law sets mandatory minimum sentences for crimes where a gun is involved.

• 10 Years: If you just have a gun on you during certain felonies, you face a minimum of 10 years in prison.
• 20 Years: If you fire the gun, that minimum sentence jumps to 20 years.
• 25 Years to Life: If you shoot and hurt or kill someone, the minimum sentence is 25 years to life.

These are minimums, meaning a judge cannot give you less time, no matter what. A conviction also means having a felony on your record, which makes it very hard to find a job, get a loan, rent an apartment, or even vote. You can also lose your right to own a firearm forever. With so much at stake, you cannot afford to face these charges without a strong legal team fighting for you.

Violent Crime in St. Petersburg

While St. Petersburg is a beautiful place to live, our city is not immune to crime. According to recent crime statistics, St. Petersburg has a violent crime rate that is higher than many other communities in Florida and across the nation. Reports show a rate of about 6.22 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents. This means your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in our city is 1 in 161. The most common violent crimes reported are assault and robbery.

These statistics don’t aim to scare you—they show how seriously law enforcement and prosecutors in Pinellas County treat these cases. When crime rates are high, the police and state attorneys are under a lot of pressure to make arrests and get convictions. This urgency can sometimes cause mistakes, rushed investigations, and false accusations against innocent people.

If you are caught up in the system, you need a violent crimes defense attorney who understands the local landscape. The Law Group knows these statistics don’t tell the whole story. Behind every number is a person with rights who deserves a fair chance. We are here to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected from start to finish.

What are Considered Violent Crimes in Florida?

Florida law lists many different types of violent crimes. Understand exactly what the charges against you are and what they mean for your future. The team at Lopez Law Group can defend you against any violent crime charge, including:

• Assault and Battery: Assault is threatening to harm someone, making them feel afraid that they are about to be hurt. The battery is touching or hitting someone against their will. These charges range from simple misdemeanors to serious aggravated felonies when someone uses a weapon or causes severe injury.
• Robbery: Robbery means taking property from someone by using force, violence, or threats. If a weapon is involved, it becomes an armed robbery, a very serious felony.
• Homicide: This is the killing of another person. Florida law divides homicide into different levels, like murder and manslaughter. Murder involves a planned killing or a death that happens during another dangerous felony. Manslaughter is an accidental killing caused by carelessness or an unplanned act. These are the most serious charges a person can face.
• Kidnapping: Kidnapping means taking and holding someone against their will by using force or threats. It is a first-degree felony with severe penalties.
• Arson: Arson is willfully and illegally setting fire to a building, a car, or other property. It is a first-degree felony if the building is a home or if you know people are inside.
• Domestic Violence: This is not a separate crime but a description of violent acts like assault or battery when they happen between family or household members. A domestic violence conviction has extra penalties, like mandatory counseling, and can never be sealed or erased from your record.

No matter what the charge is, the situation is serious. The prosecutors have a lot of resources and will work hard to convict you. You need someone just as dedicated on your side.

We Help the Accused Navigate the Tough Florida Criminal Justice System

When someone accuses you of a violent crime, you face more than just their word—you go up against the full force of the legal system. You are up against the State of Florida. The state has an army of lawyers, called prosecutors, whose only job is to imprison people. They work closely with the police and have access to crime labs and expert witnesses. Going against them alone is like fighting a hurricane with an umbrella. It is a battle you are almost certain to lose.

This is why having an experienced lawyer from the Lopez Law Group is so important. We are your shield and your sword in the courtroom. We level the playing field. Our first job is to protect your rights. The police may try to get you to talk without a lawyer or agree to a search of your home or car. We will make sure they don’t take advantage of you.

We will investigate what happened. We don’t just take the police report at its word. We will talk to witnesses, look for security camera footage, and find any evidence that can help prove your innocence. We will look for mistakes the police might have made. Did they have a good reason to stop you? Did they read you your rights? Was the evidence they found gathered legally? If not, we can ask the judge to throw that evidence out, which can sometimes get the whole case dismissed. We will be your strong voice, fighting for you every step of the way.

Steps to Take If Accused of a Violent Crime in St. Petersburg

What you do in the first few hours and days after being accused of a crime can make a huge difference in your case. Staying calm and making smart choices to protect yourself is very important.

• Use Your Right to Remain Silent: The most important thing to remember is that you have the right not to answer questions from the police. You should tell them your name, but that is all. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Police use training to make you say things that damage your case. Stay alert and don’t fall into their trap.
• Ask for a Lawyer Immediately: The moment the police try to question you about a crime, you should clearly say, “I want to speak to a lawyer.” Once you say this, they are legally supposed to stop questioning you. Do not say anything else until you have spoken with us.
• Do Not Consent to a Search: The police may ask if they can search your car, phone, or home. You have the right to say no. If they have a warrant, you must let them search, but you should not give them your permission.
• Call Lopez Law Group Right Away: Call us at (727) 933-0015 as soon as possible. We offer a free consultation for criminal defense cases. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to protect you and start building your defense.
• Write Everything Down: As soon as you can, write down everything you can remember about what happened. What did the police say to you? Who else was there? What time did things happen? These details can be very important later.
• Stay off Social Media: Do not post anything about your case on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media site. Prosecutors can and will use your posts against you.

Being accused of a crime is scary, but you have rights. The most important right is having a skilled defense lawyer on your side. Let the Lopez Law Group be your guide and your protector during this difficult time.

Contact Your St. Petersburg Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one is facing a violent crime charge in St. Petersburg, the time to act is now. Your future is too important to leave to chance. You need a law firm that is dedicated, experienced, and ready to fight for you with everything they have.

At the Lopez Law Group, we are here to lift the weight off your shoulders. We will handle the legal battle so you can focus on your life. We believe in our clients and will stand with you from the beginning to the end.

Don’t wait another minute. Contact our defense attorney serving St. Petersburg today to schedule your free and confidential consultation. Let us show you how we can help. Call the Lopez Law Group at (727) 933-0015 or complete our online contact form to get started. We are ready to stand with you and fight for your future.

CALL FOR A CASE EVALUATION