Orlando Aggravated Battery Attorney | Great Bodily Harm Defense

By: John Guidry II

If you or a loved one has been charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in Florida, you are facing a serious legal battle. My name is John Guidry, and for over 32 years, I have defended clients in Orlando against severe felony charges. This accusation is a second-degree felony, carrying a maximum of 15 years in prison and potential mandatory prison time under Florida’s sentencing scoresheet.

The prosecution’s entire case often hinges on one question: was the injury truly “great bodily harm?” As a defense attorney, this is exactly where I focus my attack.

Charged with Aggravated Battery in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard or Volusia County? Your future is at stake. Call me, John Guidry, for a confidential defense strategy session. Call Now: (407) 423-1117

The Key Defense: What Legally Constitutes “Great Bodily Harm?”

The line between a misdemeanor battery, a standard felony battery, and this severe aggravated battery charge is often blurry. The state may overcharge your case. My job is to challenge the evidence and argue that the injuries do not meet the high legal standard of “great bodily harm.” The key often comes down to one factor: permanent damage.

To understand how we can win these cases, let’s look at real-life examples from Florida courts.

Case Precedents: How We Fight Aggravated Battery Charges

These examples show how injuries that seem serious on the surface may not be enough to sustain a conviction for this specific charge.

Case Study 1: The Stun Gun Attack A woman was shot with a stun gun, causing her to fall, shake uncontrollably, and experience immense pain. (Nguyen v. State of Florida, 858 So.2d 1259, Fla. 1st DCA 2003)

• The Result: The conviction for aggravated battery was overturned.
• The Legal Defense: The court ruled that because the victim required no medical treatment and the pain had no lasting physical effects, it did not constitute “great bodily harm.” Temporary pain, even if severe, is not enough.

Case Study 2: The Belt Bruises A man was accused of striking his girlfriend with a belt, causing bruises all over her body. (Gordon v. State of Florida, 126 So.3d 292, Fla. 3d DCA 2011)

• The Result: The aggravated battery conviction was thrown out.
• The Legal Defense: The court found that because the bruises fully healed and did not require medical intervention, they did not meet the legal standard. Without evidence of lasting, serious injury, the charge cannot stand.

Case Study 3: The Fork Puncture Wounds A juvenile stabbed someone two or three times with a fork, leaving swelling and puncture marks. (C.A.C. v. State of Florida, 771 So.2d 1261, Fla. 2d DCA 2000).

• The Result: The aggravated battery charge was rejected.
• The Legal Defense: Just like the other cases, the court determined that since the fork wounds were not permanent and healed completely, the high standard for “great bodily harm” was not met.

Your Defense Strategy Starts Here

As these cases clearly show, a charge of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm can be defeated. The severity of the injury and whether it is permanent is everything. An aggressive defense can mean the difference between a prison sentence and having the charge reduced to a lesser offense—or dismissed entirely.

I focus my battery and violent crime defense practice in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard and Volusia counties. You need an attorney who knows how to dissect the evidence and hold the prosecution to their burden of proof.

Don’t face a second-degree felony charge alone.

If you’d like more information on how aggravated battery charges are handled in Orlando, check out my article found here: https://www.jgcrimlaw.com/practice-areas/criminal-defense/battery/aggravated-battery/

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.