Have you been charged with elder abuse or neglect in St. Petersburg? Our legal team can help your case.
Elder abuse cases can be complex case to defend and it takes a special kind of attorney to pursue these kinds of cases. The law office of William B. Bennett, P.A. has the background and experience to defend a criminal charge and handle the kinds of challenges that the case will present.
An abuse case against an elderly person may be charged under criminal law such as assault and many states have special laws specifically targeting elder abuse criminals.
The abuse of the elderly runs a full spectrum of criminal charges from financial scams to harmful neglect to full blown physical violence. The laws dealing with financial matters and assault apply in such cases but Florida has laws specially designed to address elder abuse.
Crimes against the elderly are on the rise in St. Petersburg
A recent US Census report suggests that individuals over the age of 65 are the fastest growing population in the United States today. According to the National Elder Abuse Incident Study, over 550,000 elder abuse cases were reported yearly.
As this segment of the population continues to grow, it is predictable to suggest that the amount of elder abuse cases will also continue to rise.
Elder Abuse Criminal Laws
Any law that punishes against assault or any other kind of abuse against an elderly victim certainly qualifies as elder abuse. However, many states, including Florida, have enacted specific laws targeting crimes against elderly citizens in order to expose those committing such crimes to harsher penalties.
Assault
Assault on the elderly occurs when a person knowingly assaults another over the age of 65 in the state of Florida. Charges for these particular crimes can result in an enhanced punishment if convicted. Under the Florida law, the defendant must prove they knew the victim was within the protected age limit.
Neglect
Elder neglect is considered the lack of essential services or needs on purpose for purpose of self gratification that results in physical or emotional harm or even death of a disabled or elderly individual.
Financial Elder Abuse
Financial crimes against the elderly come with a high punishment. It is considered a first degree felony in the state of Florida if the amount stolen exceeds $100,000 and considered a second degree felony if the amount taken is less than $100,000 and more than $20,000.
What is the punishment for crimes against the eldery in Florida?
In Florida, crimes of abuse and neglect against the elderly is a felony charge. The crime is a third degree felony if there has been no bodily harm to the victim. The crime is punishable as a first degree felony if the victim has suffered any kind of physical harm or permanent disfigurement.
The punishment for elder abuse in Florida is as follows:
- Third degree felony and five years in prison
- first degree felony and up to 30 years in prison
Know how to protect your rights if you have been charged with an elder crime.
If you are a family member or caregiver of an elderly person and have been charged with abuse or assault, contact us today for a complimentary evaluation of your case. In many cases, our criminal defense attorney may be able to get it dismissed or have the charges reduced.
Being charged with any crime is stressful enough. An elder abuse conviction can put your reputation at stake, especially if you have a career as a caregiver.