Recent Blog Posts
Prosecutor’s Full Discretionary Power to Charge Juveniles as Adults Reviewed
The decision whether or not to try juveniles as adults has been in the hands of prosecutors since 1994. As a result of this “direct file” law, Florida prosecutors are given full discretion to determine which juveniles will be tried as adults, without judicial review or supervision. Between 2012 and 2013, more than 98… Read More »
Misdemeanor Or Felony?
Even though the distinction between misdemeanor and felony charges matters, most people think a misdemeanor charge should not be given as much thought as a felony charge. This misunderstanding can result in greater sentences, fines and penalties for misdemeanor charges than is otherwise necessary. While the jail time associated with a felony charge is… Read More »
Are Teenagers the New Face of Sexual Offenses?: “Sexting” Laws in Florida
Generally, when society uses the term “sexual offenders,” our brains automatically imagine the defendant to be an adult preying on children. There are, however, laws currently put into place which may protect children and teens from the actions of other teens. The most recent of events to take place in Florida involves two teens… Read More »
Florida Law Takes Tougher Stance on Hit-and-Run Accidents
This summer, Florida lawmakers have taken a tougher stand on hit-and-run drivers with new legislation. The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott in June 2014, which increases the penalties against drivers who flee the scene of an accident. The bill, which was proposed by state Senator Miguel… Read More »
One Act, Two Charges: Florida’s New Law on Crime against Pregnant Women
A new law signed into effect in June 2014 will change a new facet of the criminal justice system. Governor Rick Scott signed into law “Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act” which makes it a criminal offense to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, an unborn child during pregnancy. The bill was… Read More »
Slender Man “Follower” Strikes Again: Is the Creator of Slender Man to Blame?
Recently, there have been acts of violence committed by teenagers obsessed and worshipping a fictional character by the name of Slender Man. A few months ago, two teens in Wisconsin lured a friend into the woods, and stabbed her 19 times, incurring serious injury to the girl who was later found alive. The teens… Read More »
Supreme Court Strikes Down Florida’s Death Penalty “IQ Standard”
As devised by the United States Constitution, punishment must be determined based on the manner and degree of the crime committed. It is important that what a defendant is ultimately sentenced to fits the offense committed. The basic tenets of the Eighth Amendment’s “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibition is on the forefront of lawmakers… Read More »
“To Catch a Predator”: Good Police Work or Entrapment?
“To Catch a Predator” has received an incredible amount of attention over the last ten years due largely to our culture’s desire to witness scandal and to catch bad guys who are about to commit a crime. Local law enforcement in South Florida has taken the premise of “To Catch a Predator” to a… Read More »
A New Look at Cruel and Unusual Punishment in Florida
The issue of cruel and unusual punishment for offenders of sex crimes in Florida has recently been pushed into the limelight when a convicted sex offender requested physical castration as part of his sentencing. The controversial use of castration to sentence and punish offenders of sex crime has been a practice seen in several… Read More »
New Amendments to Florida’s Victims of Wrongful Incarceration Act: Is the Money Enough?
In the last few months, the Florida Senate passed amendments to the Victims of Wrongful Incarceration Act, which provided further elucidation and clarification on the administrative process that wrongfully incarcerated persons must use in order to qualify and receive compensation from the state. The provisions took effect on July 1, 2014 and required the person… Read More »