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Violence Crimes in Pinellas County

Violent crimes in Florida include any aggressive action against a person or property that threatens, inflicts, or attempts to inflict physical harm. Violent crimes can be classified as either a felony or misdemeanor.

If the parties are related to each other, the violent crime might be classified as a form of “domestic violence.” Domestic violence crimes in Florida can include:

The penalties for violent crimes in Florida depend on whether the crime is classified as a felony or misdemeanor, whether a weapon or firearm was used, and whether anyone was injured.

Attorney for Violent Crimes in Pinellas County, FL

If you were charged with a violent crime in Pinellas County, FL, contact an attorney at Sammis Law Firm. We represent clients prosecuted at the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) in Clearwater, FL.

Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the charges pending against you, the criminal penalties for that crime, and the best defenses to avoid the typical penalties. Visit our office at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd Suite 701, Clearwater, FL 33762-3820. 

Call 727-210-7004.

List of Violent Crimes Prosecuted in Florida

Florida law defines a violent offense as any act involving the actual or threatened use of physical harm against a person, where there was a reasonable chance of that harm occurring [1]. These crimes are numerous and are categorized below to provide a clearer understanding of the types of offenses prosecuted in Pinellas County and across Florida.

  • Assault and Battery – These offenses involve physical attacks or threats of violence against another person.
    • Aggravated Assault: An assault committed with a deadly weapon without an intent to kill, or an assault committed with the intent to carry out another felony (Florida Statutes § 784.021).
    • Felony Battery: Intentionally striking someone against their will and causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement [1.9]. This category includes Domestic Battery by Strangulation (Florida Statutes § 784.041).
    • Aggravated Battery: A battery where the offender intentionally causes great bodily harm or uses a deadly weapon [1.11]. The crime is enhanced if the offender knew or should have known the victim was pregnant (Florida Statutes § 784.045).
    • Battery on Specified Officials/Persons: Committing battery against individuals in protected classes, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, persons 65 years or older, or public officials, carries enhanced penalties (Florida Statutes §§ 784.07, 784.08).
    • Aggravated Stalking: Repeatedly and maliciously following, harassing, or cyberstalking another person while making a credible threat [1.14]. This also includes stalking someone in violation of a court-ordered injunction (Florida Statutes § 784.048).
  • Kidnapping and False Imprisonment – These crimes involve unlawfully confining or restraining a person against their will.
    • Kidnapping: Unlawfully abducting or imprisoning someone with the intent to hold them for ransom, commit another felony, inflict bodily harm, or terrorize them (Florida Statutes § 787.01).
    • False Imprisonment: Forcibly or secretly confining or restraining a person against their will without legal authority (Florida Statutes § 787.02).
    • Aggravated Kidnapping/False Imprisonment of a Child: These charges are elevated if the victim is a child under 13 and the crime involves additional offenses like sexual battery, aggravated abuse, or exploitation (Florida Statutes §§ 787.01, 787.02).
  •  Robbery and Violent Property Crimes – These offenses involve taking property by force or committing violent acts related to property.
    • Robbery: The taking of money or property from another person through the use of force, violence, assault, or threat [1.19]. Penalties are significantly increased if a firearm or other deadly weapon is used (Florida Statutes § 812.13).
    • Carjacking: Taking a motor vehicle from someone by force, violence, or threat, with or without a weapon (Florida Statutes § 812.133).
    • Home-Invasion Robbery: A robbery that occurs after an offender unlawfully enters a dwelling. The presence of a weapon increases the severity of the charge (Florida Statutes § 812.135).
    • Burglary with Assault or Battery: Unlawfully entering a structure with the intent to commit a crime inside and then committing an assault or battery on a person during the act (Florida Statutes § 810.02(2a)).
    • Arson: Intentionally damaging a structure by fire or explosion [1.25]. It is a more serious felony if the offender knew the building was occupied (Florida Statutes § 806.01).
  • Sexual Offenses – This category covers a wide range of crimes of a sexual nature.
    • Sexual Battery: Non-consensual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration. The offense is aggravated by factors such as the victim’s age, the use of a weapon, or the involvement of multiple perpetrators (Florida Statutes § 794.011, § 794.023).
    • Lewd or Lascivious Offenses: Committing lewd or lascivious acts (such as battery or molestation) on or in the presence of a person under 16 or an elderly or disabled individual (Florida Statutes §§ 800.04, 825.1025).
    • Forcing Prostitution: Compelling or coercing another person to become a prostitute (Florida Statutes § 796.04).
  • Offenses Against Vulnerable Persons – Florida law provides special protections for children, the elderly, and disabled individuals.
    • Aggravated Child Abuse: Involves acts such as willfully torturing, maliciously punishing, or committing an aggravated battery on a child (Florida Statutes § 827.03(2a)).
    • Abuse of an Elderly or Disabled Adult: Knowingly or willfully abusing a person who is elderly or disabled. The crime can be charged as “aggravated” if it causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement (Florida Statutes § 825.102).
  • Transportation-Related Violent Crimes – These offenses involve violence related to vehicles, boats, and other forms of transport.
    • Leaving the Scene of a Crash: Failing to stop at a vehicle crash that results in injury, serious bodily injury, or death (Florida Statutes § 316.027).
    • Fleeing or Eluding Police: Willfully fleeing a law enforcement officer in a vehicle, causing serious bodily injury or death in the process (Florida Statutes § 316.1935).
    • Boating Under the Influence (BUI) with Injury: Operating a vessel while under the influence and causing serious bodily injury or death (Florida Statutes § 327.35).
    • Aircraft Piracy: Seizing control of an aircraft by force or violence (Florida Statutes § 860.16).
  • Homicide and Manslaughter – These are the most serious violent crimes, involving the unlawful killing of another human being.
    • Murder: Includes premeditated, willful killings (Florida Statutes § 782.04(1a1));
      • deaths that occur during the commission of another dangerous felony, known as felony murder (Florida Statutes § 782.04(1a2)); and
      • deaths resulting from the distribution of illegal drugs (Florida Statutes § 782.04(1a3))
    • Manslaughter: The unlawful killing of a person without premeditation, including aggravated manslaughter if the victim is a child, an elderly or disabled person, or a law enforcement officer (Florida Statutes § 782.07)
    • Vehicular Homicide: Causing a death by operating a vehicle in a reckless manner that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm.(Florida Statutes § 782.071).
    • DUI Manslaughter: Causing the death of another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance (Florida Statutes § 316.193(3c3a)).
    • Killing of an Unborn Child: Causing the death of an unborn child by inflicting injury upon the mother (Florida Statutes § 782.09).
  • Other Violent Felonies – This category includes various other serious offenses involving violence or the threat of violence.
    • Resisting an Officer with Violence: Knowingly resisting or obstructing a law enforcement officer by threatening or committing a violent act against them (Florida Statutes § 843.01).
    • Use of a Destructive Device: Making, possessing, or discharging a bomb or similar device with the intent to cause harm, or in a way that results in injury or death (Florida Statutes § 790.161).
    • Written Threats to Kill or Injure: Sending or otherwise delivering a written communication that threatens to kill or do bodily injury to another person (Florida Statutes § 836.10).
    • Poisoning Food or Water: Intentionally contaminating food, drink, or a water supply with poison or other harmful material with the intent to kill or injure someone (Florida Statutes § 859.01).
    • Riot: Participating in a riot that causes injury to another person or results in great bodily harm (Florida Statutes § 870.01).

Additional Resources

Violent Crime Statistics in Pinellas – Visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website to find information from the Criminal Justice Analytics Bureau concerning crime statistics for Pinellas County, FL. The website had links to a summary of UCR Data that includes the population, total arrests, total index offenses, and violent crime rate. Also, find the annual crime report abstracts for Pinellas County, FL, organized by year.

This article was last updated on Friday, December 19, 2025. 

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Violent Crimes