The 2023 Florida Statutes
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On appeal, the defendant argued that the aggravated assault charges were not supported by sufficient evidence because he never threatened Byrd or Dixon. Id. at 916. This Court observed that "an aggravated assault conviction requires neither a pointed gun nor an explicit threat." Id. The issue was then framed as "whether a reasonable jury could have concluded from the evidence that Williams intentionally and unlawfully threatened Dixon and Byrd 'by word or act.'" Id. (quoting § 784.011, Fla. Stat.).
Florida aggravated assault is an assault "[w]ith a deadly weapon without intent to kill" or "[w]ith an intent to commit a felony." Fla. Stat. § 784.021(1). An assault, in turn, is defined by Florida law as "an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent." Id. § 784.011(1).
Even more damning is the irreconcilability of the appellate counsel's affidavit with the evidence and argument Downs would later present during his first postconviction proceedings, which ubiquitously describe the "hallway plea" offer as having been to a battery for twelve months' probation- not to the assault for eighteen months' probation described in the affidavit. Downs' first postconviction motion describes the hallway plea offer as "a year probation for 'battery' . . . mean[ing] no sex offender registration" permitting him to "get [his] record cleared." Downs himself would later testify at the hearing on the first postconviction motion that the plea offer that was conveyed to him in the hallway was to battery for twelve months of probation. In Downs' written closing argument and rebuttal to the State's closing argument in the first postconviction proceeding, Downs refers to the plea offer as "battery, a year of probation, a withhold of adjudication and no sex offender registration." Yet, in reaching its finding regarding the nature of the hallway plea offer, the postconviction court's order seemingly ignores all of the evidence and argument at Downs' first postconviction…
Florida law defines aggravated assault as an assault “with a deadly weapon without intent to kill or... with an intent to commit a felony.” Fla. Stat. § 784.021. An “assault” is “an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.” Fla. Stat. § 784.011.
Lynch's prior conviction for aggravated assault under Florida law is a crime of violence under both the career offender enhancement and the ACCA. In light of Borden, we recently asked the Supreme Court of Florida whether Fla. Stat. § 784.011(1)- Florida's assault statute-required specific intent. Somers v. United States, 15 F.4th 1049, 1056 (11th Cir. 2021). The Supreme Court of Florida responded that "the first element of Florida's assault statute, § 784.011(1), required not just the general intent to volitionally take the action of threatening to do violence, but also that the actor direct the threat at a target, namely another person." Somers v. United States, 355 So.3d 887, 892-93 (Fla. 2022). Upon receiving the Supreme Court of Florida's answer to our question, we held that "aggravated assault under Florida law categorically qualifies as a 'violent felony' under the ACCA's elements clause." Somers v. United States, 66 F.4th 890, 896 (11th Cir. 2023). Our most recent decision in Somers, therefore, forecloses Lynch's argument as to his aggravated assault conviction. 2.
The Florida Supreme Court held that, based on the plain language of Florida's assault statute—§ 784.011(1)—an "assault" offense under Florida law requires a mens rea of at least knowing conduct and "an intentional threat to do violence to another person." See Somers v. United States, 355 So. 3d 887, 891-93 (Fla. 2022) ("Somers II"). In other words, assault under § 784.011(1) demands the intent to direct a threat at another person and therefore cannot be violated by a reckless act. Id.
Florida aggravated assault is an assault "[w]ith a deadly weapon without intent to kill" or "[w]ith an intent to commit a felony." Fla. Stat. § 784.021(1). An assault, in turn, is defined by Florida law as "an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent." Id. § 784.011(1).
Kidnapping requires proof that the victim was confined, abducted, or imprisoned against her will, with the intent to inflict bodily harm or terrorize the victim. § 787.01(1)(a)(3), Fla. Stat. (2021). Aggravated assault requires proof that the offender threatened to do violence to the victim, appeared to have the ability to carry out that threat, and did an act creating a well-founded fear that violence was imminent. §§ 784.011, 784.021, Fla. Stat. (2021). Kidnapping with the intent to terrorize, even with the weapon enhancement, does not require the commission of an aggravated assault. An offender can carry a weapon without brandishing it and be convicted of kidnapping with the weapon enhancement.
Whether or not section 784.011(1) requires "specific intent" under any particular understanding of that term, it certainly
Second, Mr. Evans contends that the evidence was insufficient to establish the intent element of his aggravated assault conviction. Again, Mr. Evans is mistaken. “An aggravated assault is an ‘assault' with a deadly weapon without intent to kill or with an intent to commit a felony.” Negron v. State, 938 So.2d 650, 651 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006) (quoting Fla. Stat. § 784.021(1)). An “assault” is “an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.” Fla. Stat. § 784.011(1). “[T]o satisfy the intent element [of aggravated assault,] the State must prove that the defendant did an act that was substantially certain to put the victim in fear of imminent violence, not that the defendant had the intent to do violence to the victim.” Pinkney v. State, 74 So.3d 572, 576 (Fla. 2d DCA 2011).
. . . See § 784.011(1) (defining assault, in part, as "an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do . . .
. . . . § 784.011 ; State v. Wilson , 276 So. 2d 45, 46 (Fla. 1973) (internal quotation marks omitted). . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1) ). . . . Stat. § 784.011(1) (emphasis added), while Georgia unequivocally does not require such intent under § . . .
. . . None Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comments The statute may raise First Amendment concerns . . .
. . . None Battery 784.03(1)(a) 8.3 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comment This instruction was adopted in 2003 [850 So . . .
. . . . § 784.011 . Fla. Stat. Give if applicable. . . . Robbery 812.13(2)(c) 15.1 Petit theft - second 812.014(3)(a) 14.1 degree Assault (if assault was 784.011 . . . Petit theft - second 812.014(3)(a) 14.1 degree Assault (if assault was 784.011 8.1 charged) Grand theft . . . Assault. § 784.011 Fla. Stat. Give if applicable. . . . Assault. § 784.011 , Fla. Stat. Give if applicable. . . .
. . . 784.045 8.4 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Culpable negligence 784.05(2) 8.9 Culpable negligence 784.05(1) 8.9 Assault 784.011 . . . Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comment This instruction was adopted in 1992 and amended . . .
. . . Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Persons Engaged in 790.07(1) 10.3 Criminal Offense Having Weapon Assault 784.011 . . .
. . . None Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Unnatural and 800.02* 11.8* lascivious . . . ) 5.1 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated assault 784.021(1)(a) 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . ) 5.1 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated assault 784.021(1)(a) 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . ) 8.4 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated assault 784.021(1)(a) 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . None Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Exposure of sexual 800.03 11.9 organs . . .
. . . . §§ 784.011, 784.021 ; Ga. . . .
. . . None Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comments * A claim that a firearm is an antique firearm . . .
. . . ." § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2009). . . .
. . . Sticht , 886 So.2d 321, 322 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004) (quoting § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2003) ). . . .
. . . ." § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2014). . . .
. . . ." § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2014). . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . . §§ 784.011, 784.021 (1989) ); (iii) a 1993 conviction for attempted sexual battery ( Fla. . . .
. . . 784.045 8.4 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated Assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . 784.045 8.4 Felony Battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated Assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . 784.045 8.4 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated Assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . 784.045 8.4 Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated Assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Culpable negligence 784.05(2) 8.9 Culpable negligence 784.05(1) 8.9 Assault 784.011 . . .
. . . See §§ 784.011, 790.10, Fla. Stat. . . .
. . . Stat § 784.011(1) (emphasis added). . . .
. . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. . . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2015). . . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. . . .
. . . guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, a violation of s. 784.011 . . .
. . . . §§ 784.07(2)(c), 784.011(1), 784.021(1)(a), Fla. Stat.” Sullivan v. . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2009). . . .
. . . . § 784.011] (emphasis supplied). . . . See id. § 784.011. . . .
. . . . § 784.011. . . . Stat. § 784.011; Droke, 145 So.3d at 221. . . .
. . . . § 784.011, Fla. Stat. (2014). . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . “Assault” is defined separately in Florida Statute § 784.011 as “an intentional, unlawful threat by word . . . threatened use of physical force against the person of another’ ” “because by its definitional terms” § 784.011 . . . The problem is that § 784.011 did not exist when Mr. Jackson was convicted. . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1) (2015) ("An 'assault’ is an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence . . . Stat. § 784.011(1) (1975). . . .
. . . Felony Battery 784.041(1) 8.6 Aggravated assault 784.021(l)(a) 8.2 Battery 784.03(l)(a)2. 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . Felony battery 784.041(1) 8.5 Aggravated assault 784.021(l)(a) 8.2 Battery 784.03(l)(a)2. 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . .
. . . Section 784.011(1), Florida Statutes (2012), defines an assault as “an intentional, unlawful threat by . . . some act which creates a well-founded fear in such- other person that such violence is imminent.” § 784.011 . . .
. . . . §§ 784.011, 784.021; Ga. Code Ann. §§ 16-5-20, 16-5-21; Haw.Rev. . . . Stat. §§ 784.011, 784.021; Haw.Rev. Stat. § 707-710; Ill. Comp. . . .
. . . See §§ 784.011(1) (defining crime of assault), 784.021 (defining crime of aggravated assault), 784.07 . . .
. . . imprisonment 787.02 9.2 Attempt_777.04(1)51 Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . None Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comments The Faison test for determining . . .
. . . None Attempt 777,04(1)5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery . 784.03 8.3 Unnatural and lascivious act 800.02 . . . None_ Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery_784.03 8.3 Unnatural and lascivious act 800.02 . . . None_'_ Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Unnatural and lascivious act 800.02 . . . None Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Unnatural and lascivious act 800.02 . . . None Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Unnatural and lascivious act 800.02 . . .
. . . . — In addition to any sanction imposed for a violation of s. 784.011, s. 784.021, s. 784.03, s. 784.041 . . . guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, a violation of s. 784.011 . . .
. . . . §§ 784.011, 810.08. . . .
. . . imprisonment 787.02 9.2 Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . None Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comments The Faison test for determining . . .
. . . See §§ 784.011 & 877.03, Fla. Stat. (2013). . . .
. . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2011). Bryant primarily relies on State v. . . .
. . . (Crim.) 8.2; see also §§ 784.011(1), 784.021(1), Fla. Stat. (2013); L.C. v. . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2010). . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2013). . . .
. . . See § 784.011, Fla. Stat. . . .
. . . imprisonment 787.02 9.2 Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . . None _Attempt_777.04(1)_5.1 Battery_784.03_8.3 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comments The Faison test for determining . . .
. . . Firearm (except if the weapon is a closed common pocketknife) 790.10 10,5 Attempt_777.04(1)51 Assault 784.011 . . . DETENTION FACILITY EMPLOYEES AND INMATES —951.221(1) None Battery 784.03 8.3 Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). . . . Stat. §§ 784.011(1), 784.021(1). . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2013). . . .
. . . an assault, the state was required to prove the crime of assault, which was in violation of section 784.011 . . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2011). . . .
. . . See § 784.011, Fla. Stat. (2011). . . . .
. . . .” § 784.011, Fla. Stat. (2012) (emphasis added). . . . To prove assault, section 784.011, Florida Statutes, requires proof of the following three elements: . . .
. . . Felony battery 784.045 784,041 &4 8.5 Assault Battery 784-.Q11 784.03 ⅜⅛ 8.3 ■Battery Assault 784.03 784.011 . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). . . .
. . . None Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Aggravated battery 784.045 8.4 Assault 784.011 8.1 Battery 784.03 . . .
. . . None Attempt_777.04(1) 51 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comments It is not necessary for the State to prove the . . . None_ Attempt_777.04(1)5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Comment This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended . . . 784.045 8.478.4(a) Felony Battery 784.041 8.5 Battery 784.03 8.3 Aggravated Assault 784.021. 8.2 Assault 784.011 . . .
. . . Stat. 784.021 (lYa) is charged 790.10 10.5 Assault 784.011 8.1 Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Improper Exhibition . . . Stalking 784.048(2) 8.6 Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Assault 784.011 8.1 Improper exhibition of dangerous weapon . . . Stat. 784.021 flYa) is charged 10.5 Assault 784.011 8.1 Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Improper-exhibition-of . . . Stat. 784.02im(a] is charged 790.10 10.5 Assault 784.011 8.1 Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 improper-exhibition . . .
. . . . § 784.011(2). . . . Stat. § 784.011(1). . . . Stats. §§ 784.011 and 784.021. . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1) (emphasis added). . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2012). . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1) (emphasis added). . . . Stat. § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . his supervised release by committing several crimes: (1) assault, in violation of Florida Statute § 784.011 . . . Stat. § 784.011(1). . . . Stat. § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . . § 784.011. . . .
. . . . §§ 784.011 (assault) and 784.021 (aggravated assault), making it clear that Gandy’s conviction was . . .
. . . . § 784.011. . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). . . . An assault — by definition — always includes the threat to do violence. § 784.011(1), Fla. . . .
. . . Assault, an element of Aggravated Assault, is in turn defined by section 784.011, Florida Statutes, which . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2011). . . .
. . . of dismissal and adjudicating him guilty of assault on a school administrator, contrary to sections 784.011 . . . DISCUSSION H.W. was charged with assault on a specified official or employee, pursuant to sections 784.011 . . . Section 784.011(1) of the Florida Statutes (2009) states: An assault is an intentional, unlawful threat . . .
. . . that it recedes from Shorette, 404 So.2d at 817, based on that case’s misstatement of law that section 784.011 . . . of aggravated assault, the State must prove the basic elements of an assault as set out in section 784.011 . . . some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.” § 784.011 . . . Section 784.011(1), Florida Statutes (2006), defines assault as follows: “An ‘assault’ is an intentional . . . In reaching the conclusion that section 784.011 required the State to prove that the defendant had the . . . Section 784.011(1) requires proof of an intentional threat that creates a fear of imminent violence. . . .
. . . See §§ 784.011(2); 812.014(3), Fla. Stat. (2008); Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim.) 15.1. . . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2009). . . .
. . . my concern that our case law deviates from the plain meaning of the legislature’s words in section 784.011 . . . doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent. § 784.011 . . .
. . . . § 784.011. Aggravated assault is assault “[w]ith a deadly weapon without intent to kill.” Fla. . . .
. . . See § 784.011(1); Santiago v. . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). Because Fla. . . .
. . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. . . . .’ § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2002). . . .
. . . . § 784.011, and either involves the use of a “deadly weapon without intent to kill” or is committed . . .
. . . some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent,” § 784.011 . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2007). . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . alleging that M.W. had committed the delinquent acts of assault on a specified official under sections 784.011 . . .
. . . . § 784.011(1). . . .
. . . Section 784.011(1), Florida Statutes (2008), defines an “assault.” . . . Section 784.021(1), Florida Statutes (2008), builds upon section 784.011(1) in defining an “aggravated . . . The Second District Court after enumerating the statutory requirements set forth in section 784.011, . . .
. . . See §§ 784.011(1) (defining crime of assault), 784.021 (defining crime of aggravated assault), 784.07 . . .
. . . Id. at 416 (citing § 784.011, Fla. Stat. (2003)). . . .
. . . See § 784.011(1), Fla. . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2007). . . .
. . . . §§ 784.021(l)(a), 784.011, Fla. Stat. (2007). In Law v. . . .
. . . . § 784.011. . . .
. . . .” § 784.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2002). . . .
. . . Nonhomicide lessers) Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2 Battery 784.03 8.3 Assault 784.011 . . .
. . . . § 784.011). . . . Stat. § 784.011(1), and domestic violence, see Fla. Stat. § 741.28(2). . . .