Aggravated battery is defined by the State of Florida as unwanted or unlawful physical contact with another person, intending to cause harm with the intent to commit a felony or with a deadly weapon. Aggravated battery includes battery that causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the victim. Simple battery is converted to "aggravated battery" when they victim is pregnant during the battery, provided the alleged offender was aware of the pregnancy or should have reasonably been aware of it.
Differences Between Assault & Battery Crimes
Simple Assault & Battery - In Florida, an assault is intentional threats, words, or actions that cause a person to fear impending violence. …show more content…
If a battery is committed on a family or household member by obstructing their normal blood circulation or breathing, creating great bodily harm risks, the offender has committed domestic battery by strangulation.
Under Florida law, "family or household members", are classified as a blood relation, a spouse, former spouse, an intimate partner, or when they share a child. Great bodily harm is considered to be harm that is more than minor (superficial bruises, cuts, and scrapes), and can include profusely bleeding wounds that require stitches, injuries that result in the need for surgery, and broken bones.
"Special victims" include law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, public transportation employees, a licensed security officer, an employee or visitor at a correctional facility if the defendant was an inmate, employees of Children & Family Services (provided the offender was aware of their position), an elderly person (65 and older), a school employee, or an elected official, provided the defendant knew the official's employment