Florida’s criminal justice system underwent a significant shift in May 2023 with the passing of House Bill 1627. Effective January 1, 2024, this legislation revamped the state’s approach to pretrial detention and bond schedules. The new law aims to achieve two primary goals: Strengthen pretrial detention and help ensure uniformity in how bonds are set across the state. Changes to pretrial detention A critical alteration lies in how judges handle defendants facing specific charges. The law identifies 26 offenses categorized as “dangerous crimes,” including but not limited to aggravated assault ..read more

In Florida, the Mental Health Court Program offers an alternative to traditional criminal justice proceedings for individuals with mental health issues. This specialized court focuses on providing treatment and support to help participants manage their mental health conditions while reducing recidivism and promoting public safety. Understanding the Mental Health Court program can help you determine if it could help with your case. Program components The Mental Health Court Program consists of several key components. Participants undergo a thorough evaluation to determine their mental health ne ..read more

The Florida Department of Health reported the incarceration rate in Florida in 2023 was 2.4 per 1,000 people. However, the justice system is continuously evolving to embrace alternative sentencing options. These alternatives provide a more rehabilitative approach to punishment. They often focus on the individual’s personal growth and societal reintegration. Community service Instead of going to jail, people who break the law can spend a set number of hours working on community projects. Community service lets them give back to society. It also helps them learn about responsibility and accounta ..read more

There’s nothing more relaxing than taking your boat out on the water so you can spend the whole day kicking back – but you’ll want to be careful just how heavily you indulge as you’re relaxing. Just like driving a car, boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and the authorities are serious about enforcement. When can you be arrested for BUI? Under Florida Statute Section 327.35, a BUI arrest can occur when either your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or higher or the authorities suspect that you are impaired due to alcohol or drugs (or some combo of the two ..read more

Those facing allegations of interpersonal violence in Florida have to worry about numerous consequences should they plead guilty or get convicted. A judge could sentence someone to incarceration, order them to pay large fines or require that they submit to state supervision during probation. Assault is one of the lower-level violent offenses in Florida, but aggravated assault is a more serious charge. It is generally classified as a third-degree felony. Those accused of aggravated assault risk a judge sentencing the worst possible penalties if they plead guilty. How might someone accused of ag ..read more

The internet makes many aspects of life far more convenient. It has never been faster or easier to buy used car parts, arrange a date for Friday night with a total stranger or access personal medical records. However, the internet also facilitates plenty of unlawful behavior in addition to helping people handle the challenges of daily life. Some people misuse their internet access to commit acts of fraud. Others engage in intimidating behavior online. Flirting or teasing online can easily cross the line and be perceived as cyberstalking. Florida actually has a specific criminal statute on the ..read more

Florida is the 26th state to implement a permitless law allowing its residents to carry weapons without a concealed-carry permit. There is an exception for convicted felons and those with injunctions against them. This significant development has sparked debates and discussions among various stakeholders. Most people agree that this is a step in the right direction for maintaining the right to bear arms. According to residents, the state’s concealed weapon license created a hardship for many vulnerable people who needed firearms for self-defense. What concerns have residents raised? As the con ..read more

Stopping after your involvement in a car crash in Florida is a basic requirement. State law mandates that you report the incident to the local authorities when there is property damage or you believe someone may have suffered an injury. However, people don’t always make the right choice in the moment. Sometimes, an otherwise responsible adult will find themselves accused of leaving the scene of a collision. Even if you aren’t the one to blame for the wreck, you might find yourself facing accusations of causing a hit-and-run. How can you potentially respond to hit-and-run accusations? 1. Show t ..read more

There is a very strong association between criminal activity and addiction. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, addiction plays a major role in criminal matters. Research shows that the majority of those in state custody have or previously reported having issues with substance abuse or other serious mental health challenges. Addiction pushes people into theft and other crimes to help acquire their substance of choice. Punishing people for addiction often only reinforces their substance abuse disorder. For many years, lawmakers and criminal justice professionals ignored the strong st ..read more

Things can get very complicated when minors get arrested. This happens consistently in the United States, and many of them spend time behind bars. It’s important for these minors and their parents to understand how to approach a situation like this so that they can set the child up for the best possible future. One thing to keep in mind is that it may not be wise for juvenile offenders to talk to the police, at least without their legal team present. There are many things that they could say to accidentally incriminate themselves or make themselves look guilty of crimes they never committed. T ..read more