There has been a lot of talk in the news recently about the effects of unchecked opioid abuse in Florida and throughout the country. Sadly, this is not just a case of media hype. Opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone are highly addictive–and fatal. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in 2015 there were nearly 3,900...
Continue ReadingWe all understand that domestic violence is a serious problem in Florida. Indeed, many of us personally know someone who has been affected by acts of domestic abuse or violence. But beyond the individual victims, what does domestic abuse look like in the aggregate? The Global Problem of Intimate Partner Violence The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Continue ReadingAlthough violent crime has seen a decrease nationally, at least according to the most recent statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, murder remains a major problem. Indeed, the FBI said reports of murder and “non-negligent manslaughter” increased 1.5 percent from the first six months of 2016 to the same time period in 2017. Pulse Nightclub Attack Causes Orlando...
Continue ReadingHow Much Weed Is A Felony in Florida? To many people, marijuana is considered a harmless drug. However, given that the laws vary from state to state, many would disagree. While it may seem as though marijuana is pretty much decriminalized in the United States, some states still have harsh penalties in place when it comes to possession of...
Continue ReadingUnderstanding Simple Battery in Florida: Definitions, Penalties, and Legal Defenses In Florida, Simple Battery is legally defined under § 784.03, Fla. Stat., as either the intentional touching or striking of another person against their will or intentionally causing bodily harm to someone. This misdemeanor offense can lead to penalties including fines, jail time, and mandatory community service. Defenses against...
Continue ReadingFlorida’s continued punishment of felons long after they have served out their sentence has become a hot button issue. We discussed restoration of felon voting rights back in August of 2016 and this topic has continued to be argued in our state ever since then. In fact, Florida voters will have the opportunity to allow the restoration of felon...
Continue ReadingHunting is a popular activity over the country, especially in Florida, where the weather is beautiful and animals abound. Just like any sport, though, there are rules that need to be followed. When certain rules are not followed—such as hunting on private property without permission—criminal charges may apply. A fire chief from Orlando is facing charges for hunting without...
Continue ReadingMany parents are in denial when it comes to sexting. They think their children would never do such a thing, but sexting is more common than they think. Approximately 40 percent of teens have sexted at some point. While boys do it more often than girls, girls are more likely to send nude photos. Seventy percent of these teens...
Continue ReadingThis time of year is exciting for football fans. February 4 marks the 52nd annual Super Bowl. If you can’t wait until February to watch an exciting football game, Orlando residents have the Pro Bowl coming a week earlier, on January 28. The Pro Bowl is the NFL’s all-star game and will be coming to Camping World Stadium in...
Continue ReadingWhen you think of traffic stops, speeding probably comes to mind—and for good reason. Going too fast accounts for 34 million speeding tickets every year in the United States. Speeding is a leading cause of accidents. For every 100 speeding tickets, there are 5.6 fewer injuries and 14.3 fewer crashes. But there are other reasons why police officers make...
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