Juries listen carefully when forensic scientists give evidence, and Florida prosecutors know this. Scientific evidence has long been used to prove that an individual visited a location, touched an object or left a drop of blood behind, and DNA testing can link tissue...
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What causes youth violence?
Violence is a problem in Florida, just like elsewhere in the United States. And one of the most troubling and heartbreaking types of violence is violence perpetrated by young people. Juvenile crimes tend to be one of the most difficult types of violence to grapple...
Roadside drug testing may soon be a thing of the past
Most police and corrections departments in Florida and around the country use chemical field test kits to identify illegal drugs. These kits cost about $2, and they are very easy to use. Police or corrections officers place a substance in a plastic bag containing...
Recognizing and understanding the effects of sibling violence in Florida
Sibling violence is an often-overlooked form of domestic violence that occurs between siblings. In Florida, domestic violence is any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery or stalking by one family or household member against another. This can include...
Juvenile murder charges in Florida
Homicide is a serious crime, regardless of the age of the person who has been charged. When the defendant was a minor at the time of the alleged offense, Florida authorities can under some circumstances choose to try the case as if the defendant was an adult. Trying a...
Grasping the distinction between tax avoidance and evasion
Few people are excited about the prospect of paying taxes. That is particularly true when circumstances in a given year are such that significant liability is incurred. However, it is important for Florida residents to realize that there is never an obligation to pay...
Shoplifting in Florida is not free
Being convicted of theft in Florida can be a scary, time-consuming experience. Even if considered "petty," any theft conviction is a very serious undertaking that can dramatically impact the quality of one's future. Even more significant is the potential difficulty in...
Legal Issues and Drug Use
In Florida, there is a notable risk of youth starting to use drugs and winding up on a path that leads them to greater crime. Addictive drugs like opiates or meth have negative health effects and often lead to people committing crimes to raise money to afford them....
Advocates pushing to change law allowing arrest of 6-year-olds
No young child in Florida or anywhere else should be treated as an adult. However, some states allows children as young as 6 to be arrested for crimes. Advocates are pushing to change those laws. Children suffering unnecessary trauma In 2019, a 6-year-old in Florida...
Defending domestic violence accusations
Law enforcement officials and the courts take domestic violence claims seriously. An abusive partner or relative could harm a victim and. their children. Protection orders may reduce interactions, cutting down the chances of any confrontations. However, violent...