To some, shoplifting is a crime perpetrated by the young; teenagers who take shoes or a pair of expensive jeans to get the thrill of breaking the law and trying to get away with it. However, the younger crowd is not the only age group to steal a store item. Although...
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Criminal Law
What actions are considered stalking in Florida?
When accused of something as serious as stalking, the person facing charges should know what actions the law considers a violation. How does Florida define stalking? The Florida Legislature and the University of Florida offer the definition and examples of stalking....
Avoid these 4 mistakes after being accused of domestic violence
If a loved one has accused you of domestic violence, you may feel angry, anxious or even frightened. Taking the right steps in this situation can help you avoid serious legal issues. Review these four common mistakes to avoid when facing a domestic violence...
How Do Florida Police Use License Plate Readers?
License plate readers serve as a useful tool for law enforcement. It is a camera system that comes in handy in many different ways, documenting and reading all license plates that come into view. It also records the time, date and location at the time of the picture. ...
Police and warrantless entries into homes
In Florida, police must generally secure a warrant before entering homes unless the entry meets an exception to the search warrant requirement. A recent decision from the Supreme Court of the United States offers more protection to people against warrantless searches...
Can police officers legally lie to you?
If you have committed a criminal offense or know someone who has, you may expect police officers to question you eventually. Even if you have little or nothing to hide, cooperating with a police investigation may not be in your interests. After all, you may...
What do you do if the police knock on your door?
Dealing with the police is a stressful and difficult situation for anyone. It is natural for people to panic, handling their brush with law poorly. This can lead to unfortunate consequences, such as accidentally incriminating yourself. It is thus important to...
Reacting defensively toward a police officer
Interactions with law enforcement officers are a frequent occurrence both in Florida and throughout the rest of the U.S. Many of those cases remain amicable, but there are situations where one might feel threatened by an authority's actions. The law permits people to...
Florida legislators review police use of force
In May 2021, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate unanimously passed a police reform bill. Under the terms of the proposed state law, police officers must disclose previous excessive force investigations and will receive de-escalation training. The law also...
Exceptions to the right to remain silent
Most Florida residents know the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives criminal suspects the right to remain silent when questioned by police officers, but they may not know that there are several exceptions to this rule. The right against self-incrimination...
