Perhaps no offense is more damaging to juvenile offenders than a sexual offense. The consequences teens face for committing a sexual offense run much deeper than merely serving time in a juvenile facility. Too often, teen sex offenders’ lives are completely dismantled as a result of being placed on the sex offender registry — a […]

In Florida, crimes allegedly committed by minors under the age of 18 are handled primarily by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). This agency tries its best to rehabilitate offenders; in fact, its mission statement reads “To increase public safety by reducing juvenile delinquency through effective prevention, intervention, and treatment services that strengthen families and […]

Battery differs from assault in that actual physical contact is made between the alleged offender and the alleged victim. In Florida, strangulation is the most common act of battery that occurs during domestic violence disputes. Domestic violence strangulation is an act of abuse is classified as its own offense in Florida, and it is treated […]

Like robbery, carjacking is a felony criminal offense that can lead to life in prison if certain elements are met. Robbery covers many of the same elements as carjacking in Florida; the main difference is that carjacking is the taking of a motor vehicle specifically through force, violence, assault, or threats. As a victim, a […]

Child victims present unique obstacles in criminal defense cases that many who are charged with such crimes are not aware of. Penalties for violent or sexual crimes are usually much stiffer when the victim is a child. There are several rules that must be followed when representing a person charged of such an offense. Other […]

Florida retains some of the harshest sex offender laws in the U.S. Despite scant evidence that sex offender registries protect communities or reduce the number of sexual offenses committed, those who have been convicted of certain sexual offenses are required to register as as a sex offender in the state, regardless of the severity of […]

In Florida, many crimes have the potential to be classified as hate crimes. A hate crime is a crime based on prejudice or bias against an individual or group considered to be part of a protected class. These crimes are believed to carry enough influence to cause greater societal harm. As a result, Florida’s hate […]

Nobody looks forward to receiving their first DUI charge. Being arrested for a DUI in Florida can be interpreted as the antithesis of turning 21 and finally being able to purchase your first adult drink at the bar. The limitations a DUI charge can bring on your freedom are vast, with incarceration being just the […]

As early as 1591 references to shoplifting were being made in England. Playwright Robert Greene wrote a pamphlet offering shoplifting advice, going as far as suggesting proper attire to avoid being detected. Shoplifting first became a serious problem in 17th-century England, when the exploding population of London pushed vendors who sold a variety of goods […]

In Florida, mere possession of stolen property can lead to criminal charges. Property crimes like receiving, selling, possessing, or even disposing of stolen property carry heavy penalties that vary based on the value of the property involved. These crimes may be misdemeanor or felony offenses should the property reach a specific value. If you purchase […]