In Florida, if a person is involved in a traffic accident that results in property damage, an injury to someone or a death, that person must remain at the scene and provide the proper identification and insurance information. Failure to do so is a crime, referred to as leaving the…
A crime that is not commonly charged but still exists in Florida deals with a person accessing a computer without authorization to take trade secrets or other confidential data. This came up in a recent criminal case after the defendant was charged with accessing her company’s client list, downloading it…
When a person gets arrested and charged with a crime in Florida, whether for a misdemeanor or felony, that person will likely have multiple, periodic court dates until the case is finally resolved. At each court date, the defendant is told when to appear at his/her next court date. If…
Anyone who wants to own a pawn shop or operate as a pawnbroker must obtain the proper license in Florida from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A separate license is required for each pawnshop. If a pawnshop changes locations, the pawnshop owner must give 30 days’ written notice…
In a recent criminal case south of Jacksonville, Florida, the defendant was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and other charges after the victim reported she was sleeping in an apartment and the defendant broke in and assaulted her. The victim had been staying at the apartment with a…
In Florida, a battery where no weapon is used is normally a misdemeanor crime, which means the maximum penalty is one year in jail. A battery against someone not related to the defendant is a serious charge but not normally as serious as a domestic battery charge and certainly not…
In Florida, a DUI charge (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) is normally going to be charged as a misdemeanor crime. While the Florida legislature continues to make minimum penalties for DUI harsher, jail time for a misdemeanor crime is limited to a maximum of one year and…
There are approximately 300,000 deportation cases currently pending in immigration courts across the country. The United States government has recently signaled a change in the way it intends to handle those cases. The government has indicated that it will focus primarily on those illegal immigrants who have criminal records or…
In a recent criminal case in Jacksonville, Florida, the police were executing a search warrant at the defendant’s home and found several guns throughout the house along with ammunition for some of the guns. The defendant had previously been convicted of a felony. In Florida, a convicted felon is not…
In Florida, a battery crime is defined as intentionally striking, or even touching, another person against his/her will. This is obviously a very broad definition of criminal activity that can include a lot of conduct, and even harmless conduct. Slightly pushing someone with no injury whatsoever can come under the…