Florida treats felony crimes seriously. If convicted of one, you could find yourself dealing with penalties harsh enough to derail your life and career path. This also applies to charges involving mail fraud, which the state considers a felony. But what are the exact...
Felonies
What are Florida’s laws regarding self-defense?
It may be easy for you and others in Fort Lauderdale to dismiss another's claims for self-defense in response to accusations of criminal activity. Such skepticism likely comes from an assumption that your sound judgment helps you to avoid situations where you might...
Orange County authorities make arrest based on algae evidence
Law enforcement officers in Fort Lauderdale literally have a treasure trove of scientific tools and resources at their disposal to assist in the investigation of crimes. General public opinion and popular media may lead many people to simply assume that such tools are...
Is mail fraud a felony?
In Florida, the law considers some white collar crimes to be felonies. This means the law treats the charges in a more severe manner. Felony convictions often come with longer jail sentences and bigger fines. Today, we will look at one of these crimes. Mail fraud is a...
What voting rights do you have after a Florida felony conviction?
In the past, a felony conviction would prevent someone from being able to vote in Florida, but this is no longer automatically the case. Now, residents may be able to legally vote following a felony conviction, but they first have to meet certain requirements. ...
Former felons earn back their right to vote in Florida
Felon disenfranchisement is a major issue all over the country. Most felons are not permitted to vote, which prevents them from making decisions about politicians and issues that could directly impact them. A historic constitutional amendment has restored the right to...
Assaulting a firefighter in Florida
Firefighters in Florida must respond to accident scenes and conflagrations. When people are charged with assaulting firefighters or committing batteries against them, the defendants may face stiff penalties. Florida law specifically forbids assaults and batteries on...
When do the police need a search warrant?
Fourth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution are twofold. First, it protects your right to privacy at home. It also protects you from unreasonable and arbitrary governmental intrusions. It provides that the "[t]he right of the people to be secure in their...
Rise in nationwide murder rate can be attributed to 1 city
Florida residents may have heard statements about the rising murder rate in the United States. According to a report by the Brennan Center for Justice, the rising murder rate is not a nationwide dilemma, but it's a problem that is being fueled by violence in Chicago....
Florida man killed after trying on flak jacket
According to officers with the Tampa Police Department, a 23-year-old man was shot and killed on Sept. 10 after he tried on a flak jacket. The man reportedly asked out loud whether the flak jacket was bulletproof. This allegedly led his 24-year-old cousin to shoot him...