Florida Criminal Law Basics: Classification of Crimes, Statute of Limitations, and Criminal Records
Florida Criminal Law Basics: Classification of Crimes, Statute of Limitations, and Criminal Records
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Florida Criminal Statute of Limitations
Statutes of limitations set time limits for prosecutors to file charges in a criminal case. If the state fails to bring a case within the specified time period, the defendant can ask the judge to dismiss the case.
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Florida Misdemeanor Crimes by Class and Sentences
In Florida, crimes are divided into misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, punishable by up to one year in county jail and classified as misdemeanors of the first or second degree.
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Florida Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences
In Florida, crimes are divided into felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious crimes, punishable by death or incarceration in state prison.
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Sealing or Expunging Adult Criminal Records in Florida
Florida law allows for the sealing and expunging of criminal records in limited circumstances. Learn what crimes are eligible, who's eligible, and how to get a record expunged in Florida.
DUI, Driving & Alcohol Related Crimes
DUI, Driving & Alcohol Related Crimes
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Driving on a Suspended License in Florida
Many criminal, civil, or other matters could cause a Floridian's license to be suspended or revoked. Suspension is a temporary withdrawal of your license. Revocation means Florida terminates your privilege to drive.
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Florida Minor in Possession of Alcohol Charges and Penalties
The State of Florida prohibits anyone the age of 21 from possessing any type of alcoholic beverage. However, these minor in possession (MIP) laws do not apply to servers who are 18 or older and employed by a licensed business that sells, prepares, or provides alcoholic beverages to the public.
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Florida Public Intoxication Laws
Laws punishing public intoxication vary widely among states. This article discusses Florida’s public intoxication law, but other alcohol-related issues may also apply to your case. For example, someone at a bar who has too much to drink, gets angry, and hits someone might also face assault charges. If that person leaves the bar and tries to drive, the driver can be arrested for drunk driving.
Drug Possession and Sale
Drug Possession and Sale
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The possession and sale of marijuana is illegal in Florida, and potential penalties vary by the amount possessed or sold.
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Sale or Possession of a Controlled Substance in Florida
Learn how Florida classifies and punishes drug offenses, including crimes for illegally buying, selling, or possessing controlled substances.
Theft-Related Crimes
Theft-Related Crimes
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Florida Laws on Petit Theft, Grand Theft, and Shoplifting
A conviction for theft can carry serious consequences, including prison time, fines, restitution orders, and a criminal record. Learn more about the grand and petit theft in Florida.
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Motor vehicle theft is a serious offense in Florida. Any theft of a vehicle—including taking one on a joyride—constitutes a felony. Learn more about the penalties for grand theft auto, carjacking, operating a chop shop, and failure to return a rental car.
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Burglary and Criminal Trespass in Florida
In Florida, a person who goes into a building or vehicle owned by someone else intending to commit a crime, such as theft, can be charged with burglary. Some burglaries, such as armed burglaries and home invasion burglaries, can result in long prison sentences. People who go onto other people's property without permission can also be charged with trespass, a less serious crime.
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Embezzlement is a kind of property theft. It occurs when a defendant, who was entrusted to manage or monitor someone else’s money or property, steals all or part of that money or property for the defendant’s personal gain.
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Florida has extensive laws against forgery and counterfeiting – creating or possessing documents that have been altered in some significant way. Most forgery crimes in Florida are punishable by time in prison.
Harassment, Bullying and Violent Crimes
Harassment, Bullying and Violent Crimes
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Simple Assault and Battery in Florida
A person can face assault or battery charges even if a victim suffers no injuries. While these crimes start as misdemeanors, they can quickly ramp up to a felony. Learn how Florida law defines assault and battery and the penalties for each.
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Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking Laws in Florida
Anyone who harasses another person using an electronic form of communication commits a crime in Florida. Florida law also prohibits bullying (including cyberbullying via electronic means) at public schools and directs each school to enact an anti-bullying policy.
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Florida Aggravated Assault and Battery Laws
Assault or battery offenses can easily ramp up to felony or aggravated charges. Learn how Florida defines and penalizes aggravated assault and battery.
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Sexual Battery in Florida refers to sex crimes not typically covered by rape statutes, such as unlawful sexual contact. Sexual battery is often characterized as sexual touching or penetration without consent...
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Florida Domestic Violence Laws
Domestic violence in Florida defines is any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death, committed by a family or household member against another family or household member.
Sex Crimes
Sex Crimes
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Florida Sexting Laws for Teens and Minors
Sexting refers to the sharing of nude or sexually explicit images with others through the use of smartphones, the Internet, or other devices. Consenting adults don’t typically commit crimes when they sext, but teens (many of whom are minors) who sext can face significant consequences.
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Sexual Battery in Florida refers to sex crimes not typically covered by rape statutes, such as unlawful sexual contact. Sexual battery is often characterized as sexual touching or penetration without consent...
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Transmitting an STD in Florida
Florida makes it a crime to expose another to an STD, such as herpes or HIV. Florida's STD laws are harsh and apply even if no transmission or infection occurs.
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In Florida, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone younger than 18), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
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Revenge Porn in Florida: Sexual Cyberharassment
A person who commits sexual cyberharassment—revenge porn—in Florida can face serious criminal penalties, including substantial incarceration time and hefty fines.
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Prostitution, Pimping, and Pandering Laws in Florida
In the State of Florida, pandering is defined as soliciting acts of prostitution on behalf of another person. Various circumstances can lead to pandering charges. These include...
Florida Weapon and Gun Laws
Florida Weapon and Gun Laws
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Risk Protection Orders: A Guide to Florida's Red Flag Law
Under Florida’s red flag law, judges may order certain people at risk of gun violence to surrender their firearms. Learn how the law works.
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Most Floridians can carry and use stun guns or Tasers, but only for self-defense.