Category Archives: Criminal Defense
What is Embezzlement?
There are many types of theft that a person could be charged with. One of them is called embezzlement. Understanding what embezzlement means and how it varies from other crimes can be confusing. The Supreme Court defines embezzlement as: “The fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom such property has been entrusted,… Read More »
Justification vs. Excuse Defenses
In criminal defense cases, defendants and their lawyers will use various defenses to avoid criminal liability. While there are many excuses that may be used, they boil down to two main types: justification and excuse. These are defenses used in criminal law to argue that a person should be considered guilty of their alleged… Read More »
Florida Woman Charged With Fraud, Forgery
Check forgery is a common crime. It involves illegal use of checks, such as stealing them from someone or using them when there is not enough money to cover them. A Florida woman was recently arrested for trying to cash stolen checks and forging checks that did not belong to her. The incidents occurred… Read More »
Driving With a Suspended License
Many Florida residents get their driver’s license at age 16, but some people get their licenses suspended at some point for various reasons. For example, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs leads to automatic suspension. Excessive traffic violations can be a cause. So can driving without insurance, failure to appear in court, … Read More »
Florida Crime Rates and Statistics
Florida is known for its sunshine and beaches, but the state also has its downsides, such as crime. Crime is an issue in Florida, just like it is in most other states. The combined rate of property and violent crimes in Florida averages 25.38 incidents per 1,000 residents. While this may seem a little… Read More »
Carjacking in Florida
Despite advancing technologies that make vehicles harder and harder to steal, car theft is a common problem across the United States. Florida is no exception. However, not all thefts are alike. There is carjacking, which can be scary because it puts the life of the vehicle’s occupant at risk. Many carjacking suspects try to… Read More »
What is a Capital Felony?
Florida has some strict criminal charges in place. In most places, a first-degree felony is the most serious crime a person can face. That is not the case in the Sunshine State. A person accused of an especially violent crime can face a charge of life felony or capital felony. Life felonies are punishable… Read More »
What to Know About Arson in Florida
Intentionally setting fire to a structure is a crime called arson. Arson is defined as any willful or malicious burning of a dwelling, house, public building, motor vehicle, or aircraft. It does not matter if there is fraud involved. Florida police make just 250 arrests for arson every year, so these cases are quite… Read More »
Careless vs. Reckless Driving
All licensed drivers in Florida have a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner every time they are on the roads. This means following the laws and watching out for pedestrians and other vehicles. When a driver does not follow these laws, it could be considered negligence. Most car accidents are… Read More »
Murder vs. Manslaughter
If you kill someone, whether it be on purpose or on accident, you could be charged with a crime. The crime you will be charged with will depend on the circumstances. Two main crimes under this category are murder and manslaughter. Under Florida Statutes 782.04, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a… Read More »
