While police officers have certain powers that aid them in the investigation of crime, these powers are not unlimited. Before making a traffic stop, for example, police officers need reasonable suspicion. Before making an arrest and charging an individual, police...
Drug charges become much more serious when the authorities believe there is an intent to distribute. Even in cases where possession itself would still be illegal – such as possessing marijuana for recreational purposes – the intent to distribute can bring about more...
One of the primary concerns of a person who’s in jail is getting released while their case is moving through the criminal justice system. While some are able to be released on their own recognizance, which means with a signed promise to appear in court, others have to...
Digital technology has made it easier than ever before for people to harass one another and break the law. As technology has expanded, Florida lawmakers have had to criminalize new behaviors that weren't an issue a few decades ago. Romantic partners sometimes share...
People make mistakes all the time. If a mistake (like drunk driving) leads to your arrest and arraignment, the court may, subject to the nature of the charges, release you on bail while awaiting the outcome of your case. However, it is important to understand that...
Law enforcement agencies utilize various tools and procedures to identify suspects, with police lineups being a common practice. However, the issue of unconscious bias in these lineups has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potentially negative...
Shoppers in Florida and throughout the country have likely seen merchandise held behind locked doors or behind customer service desks. This is in response to an uptick in retail theft in recent years. In some cases, thieves have literally walked out with carts full of...
Compelling evidence makes it easier to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Many Florida criminal trials center on testimony from eyewitnesses. Sometimes, the testimony could be strong enough to secure a conviction. That does not mean that eyewitness testimony is...
A geofence warrant is a request from law enforcement to search a database for all devices used in the vicinity where a crime was committed. This differs from a keyword warrant in that it narrows down the suspect list by geography rather than search history. Through...
When voters in Florida and around the country are asked about the issues they care about the most, crime is usually one of the first things they mention. The United States has one of the world’s highest crime rates even though it imprisons far more of its citizens...