May 28, 2018
Read MoreMonth: May 2018
Bail and Jail in Florida
There’s much talk about the injustice of bail. It is estimated that 70% of jailed inmates have not been convicted of a crime, but they simply cannot afford bail. It’s no surprise that the conversation about bail reform is sweeping cities and states throughout the U.S. As one California Supreme Court Justice said, “We must not penalize the poo [...]
Are My Car’s Tricked-out Ne...
Americans love their cars. Collectively, people in the United States own approximately 264 million passenger vehicles. That’s nearly one car per person. Cars are designed to have mass appeal, and car companies aim to sell to as many consumers as possible. It’s no surprise that year after year, car body colors consistently remain the same: black [...]
May 25, 2018
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Flirty or “Sexting”? Racy T...
Electronics are everywhere, and we all use them: smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers. Teenage cellphone use now outpaces adult use. A few years ago, nearly 80 percent of all teenagers had a cell phone (according to the Pew Research Center). The numbers are even greater today. It’s so easy to search, click, forward, and send amusing j [...]
May 23, 2018
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I Was Arrested With Rolling...
So many products have everyday, common uses. Plastic bags are used to wrap sandwiches. Rolling papers and pipes are used for smoking ordinary tobacco. How do rolling papers become illegal drug paraphernalia when used (or intended to be used) to ingest, store, or contain a controlled substance.
Drug Paraphernalia Defined
Florida Statutes 893.145 d [...]
May 21, 2018
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Help! My High School Studen...
We’re all aware of the recent senseless school shooting in Parkland, Florida. This has resulted in more calls for beefing up school security. With that, tensions flare between privacy, freedom, and individual rights versus the school’s need for safety.
Fourth Amendment and Search and Seizure
Watch CNN, Law & Order, or any television polic [...]
May 18, 2018
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Shoplifting Is Big Business
The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) reports some staggering statistics. There are 27 million shoplifters in the United States today. This averages to about one out of every 11 persons. You might think shoplifting is a crime associated with teenagers, but out of this group, 75 percent are adults, and only 25 percent are minors [...]
May 16, 2018
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What Is Manslaughter?
In Florida, manslaughter is a killing of another human being that does not meet the requirements of murder. Unlike murder, manslaughter does not require premeditation. Florida breaks manslaughter into two different categories: voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.
What are the elements of voluntary manslaughter?
For voluntary mansl [...]
May 14, 2018
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What is a Plea Bargain?
A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and prosecutor that involves the prosecutor recommending a lighter sentence or bringing less serious charges in exchange for the defendant pleading guilty. According to the Department of Justice, 90 percent to 95 percent of all cases are resolved through plea-bargaining. Some defendants choose no [...]
May 11, 2018
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Was That DUI Checkpoint Legal?
Even though DUI checkpoints in the United States are generally legal, they must comply with various rules imposed by federal and state law. These DUI checkpoints are in place to both deter drunk drivers and also catch those who in violation of the law. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol-impaired driving crashes mak [...]
May 9, 2018
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Marijuana Arrests are Serious
With the legalization of marijuana on the rise across the United States, it is easy to underestimate the seriousness of marijuana arrests. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), most drug arrests involve illegal possession or abuse of marijuana. Additionally, 88 percent of marijuana arrests between the years 2001 and 2008 were for [...]
May 7, 2018
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