Florida residents may be interested in learning why there is an increase in arrest rates although crime rates are continuing to decline. The answer is important because when a person gets arrested and convicted, they may face challenges that impact them for the rest of their life. Depending on the arrest and conviction, the result could be loss of employment, loss of housing or an inability to apply for certain governmental programs.
For some people, interactions with law enforcement can be dangerous, leading to injury or death. This is another reason why some are concerned about the uptick in the number of arrests. Statistics show that people living today are more likely to get arrested than previous generations. A larger number of Americans are being arrested by the time they are 26 than any generation before them.
Only 6.4% of US residents born before 1949 have ever been arrested. However, 23% of those born between 1979 and 1988 have been arrested. The statistics show that robberies, theft and assaults accounted for 19% of male arrests and 28% of females being arrested. Drug arrests are also common, accounting for 9% of arrests for men and 8% for women, and 11% of women and 16% of men are arrested for underage drinking. These are usually petty crimes that do not involve violence.
When a person is arrested, they likely want to defend themselves in court, especially if the crime they are being accused of is thought of as petty. However, the legal system is more complicated than most people think, often requiring help from professionals. Criminal defense attorneys may be able to help defend their clients in court and provide legal advice that will benefit their client.
