Assaulting an officer is a serious crime, whether or not the officer is
wearing his badge at the moment. In Orlando, Florida nine people were
recently arrested when they assaulted to police officers who were making
some extra money by working security at a club. The arrests happened on
Sunday morning when a group of woman tried to reenter the club without
paying the charge fee. The women claimed that they had already paid and
had to leave and come back.
When the officers said that they would need to pay the entrance fee, they
got angry and instigated an argument. A group of men that were exiting
the club noticed the scuffle and got involved. They argued that the women
should be let in. One of them men, assumedly intoxicated, punched a police
officer while another man tried to take one of the guard’s batons
and gun. The law-enforcement officers issued arrests, and are charging
four of the criminals with battery on a law-enforcement officer. Five
others were charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. One
of the men was also charged with depriving an officer of his means to
communicate when he took his radio from his belt.
The defense will probably argue that the officers were not on duty when
the confrontation occurred, but the cases will be difficult. In actuality,
it doesn’t matter whether or not an officer is on-duty when you
assault him or her. Any sort of defying of authority can be prosecuted
using very serious measures. You could end up with fines and jail time
if you choose to deny a police officer or attack him or her in retaliation.
Talk to a criminal defense lawyer in the Palm Beach area if you have been
charged with
assaulting a police officer and need representation in court!