Shoplifting, also known as retail theft or retail fraud, is one of the most common crimes committed in Florida. People of all ages and backgrounds get arrested based on allegations that they attempted to misappropriate retail goods belonging to a business....
Criminal Defense
What are the consequences of getting a minor in possession citation?
Getting a minor in possession (MIP) citation can have a drastic impact on a youngster’s life. Under Florida law, it is illegal for individuals under 21 years of age to consume or possess alcohol. With Florida being a popular destination for young people, especially...
Theft by finding in Florida: Is it really theft?
There’s a phrase that goes, “Finders keepers, losers weepers.” However, in real-life situations, discovering unattended property can lead to a moral and legal dilemma. If you find a valuable or money left on the ground, should you try to return it to its rightful...
Ways you might be committing credit card fraud
Credit card fraud sounds like a crime that only crime syndicates do, and they usually are. However, there are certain activities that ordinary civilians do with someone else’s credit card where they may unknowingly break the law. Unfortunately, credit card fraud is a...
What are the rights of those accused of a crime in Florida?
Law enforcement officers must treat every person fairly. Race, ethnicity, national origin or religion should play no part when making an arrest or suspecting someone of the crime. It should also not matter whether the person is the alleged victim of the crime or the...
Robbery by sudden snatching – what does it mean?
The law defines robbery as taking money or property from another person with the intent to deprive the other of the items by using force or intimidation. What sets it apart from ordinary theft is that robbery can involve violence, putting the victim in danger as the...
Addiction requires treatment, not punishment
“The War on Drugs” was a failure and, despite all of the efforts to end it, the opioid crisis has merely changed form instead of going away. In the meantime, the prisons are full of people who developed addictions they couldn’t control. Maybe it’s time that addiction...
Is it a crime to possess a fifth wheel device?
Trucks and tractor units can pull some of the largest and heaviest semi-trailers thanks to a component called the fifth wheel. The fifth wheel is a coupling device that secures a trailer to the back of a truck while allowing the trailer to turn as the vehicle goes...
How police mistakes with evidence can benefit a defendant
If the state intends to bring charges against an individual, that typically means there is evidence implicating them. Chemical and physical evidence, in particular, can make people feel as though they will have no way to defend against pending charges. If police...
Is it a crime to break your neighbor’s fence?
Fences are more than just ornaments designed to go around a property. They serve as barriers to help enclose an area, preventing outsiders from entering a private space. They also help mark the surveyed property line of a given lot. Because of the importance of these...