Parents: Don’t Let a Battery Charge Ruin Your Kid’s Future
On September 20, 2013 a fight broke out between two eighth graders that attend Palmer High School. A 13-year-old was charged with assault and battery after allegedly choking a fellow classmate (age 13) on high school grounds. The suspect held the victim in a choke hold for 12 seconds causing him to fall unconsciously to the ground. The victim was taken to the hospital for an evaluation of the possible injuries and the suspect was released to his mother, and was scheduled to juvenile court to address the charges. Battery and assaults occur in high school far more common than people tend to think. Sometimes these cases go unnoticed and are seen as a joke; however other times these situations are prosecuted by the state and have serious consequences to the Defendant.
Florida Statute (784.03) defines battery occurring when a person: actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or intentionally causes bodily harm to another person. It is extremely common for battery cases (especially between two minors shown in the case above) to be viewed as a simple ‘argument’ with some ‘hands on expression’ and not a crime. Battery would not be against the law if it was not seen by the government as a very serious crime that can result in bodily injuries that may or may not have the ability to be corrected! There are countless consequences that tag along with battery cases. In juvenile battery cases, the consequences can be devastating. Minors charged with battery can risk their entire future. Minors may become ineligible for scholarships, colleges may deny acceptance, and job hunting in the future could negatively be impacted. Remind your kid that battery is an offense that may be taken lightly by some, but is taken very seriously by government and employers. Teach your child to deal with arguments non-violently as physical altercations can result in battery charges that can cost a young child a bright future!
