Violent Crime in Polk County
The most serious violent crimes include murder, sexual battery, robbery, carjacking, or home invasion robbery. The most commonly prosecuted crimes are misdemeanors.
Violent crimes are treated differently in Florida when compared to non-violent crimes. For example, Section 948.08(6)(b)3., F.S., prohibits a person from entering a treatment-based drug court program if the defendant has been charged with any violent crime.
Some violent crimes are classified as “domestic violence” when the defendant and the alleged victim have a certain type of relationship. Under Florida law, the term “domestic violence” is defined as any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member, including:
- assault or aggravated assault;
- battery or aggravated battery;
- sexual assault;
- sexual battery;
- stalking or aggravated stalking;
- kidnapping; or
- false imprisonment.
Florida law defines the term “family or household member” to mean spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of whether they have been married.
Except for people with a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have resided together in the same single dwelling unit.
Attorney for Violent Crimes in Polk County, FL
If you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor violent crime in Polk County, FL, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm. We represent clients in the courthouse in Bartow, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, FL.
Our attorneys represent clients charged with violent crimes, including crimes of domestic violence in Polk County, FL.
Contact us to find out more the best defenses including self-defense, defense of others, and defense of property.
Call us at 813-250-0500.
FDLE’s Violent Crime Rates in Florida
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides a table showing the total reported violent crime rate in Polk County, FL, listed by offense and year.
| Year | Population | Murder | Rape | Robbery | Aggravated Assault | Total Violent Index Crime | Violent Crime Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 – | 443,153 | 14 | 192 | 792 | 2,209 | 3,207 | 723.7 |
| 1996 – | 452,707 | 29 | 313 | 824 | 2,412 | 3,578 | 790.4 |
| 1997 – | 459,010 | 37 | 325 | 1,113 | 2,652 | 4,127 | 899.1 |
| 1998 – | 465,858 | 40 | 270 | 979 | 2,326 | 3,615 | 776.0 |
| 1999 – | 474,704 | 18 | 314 | 712 | 1,769 | 2,813 | 592.6 |
| 2000 – | 483,924 | 25 | 343 | 637 | 1,703 | 2,708 | 559.6 |
| 2001 – | 496,112 | 18 | 343 | 708 | 1,649 | 2,718 | 547.9 |
| 2002 – | 502,385 | 27 | 300 | 660 | 1,727 | 2,714 | 540.2 |
The violent crime rate for Polk County, FL, is calculated per 100,000 population.
This article was last updated on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
