Anytime you see the flashing red lights of a police car in your rear-view mirror is alarming. You may be scared if it’s dark and you’re coming home late from a night out on the town. You may wonder how you should handle this traffic stop, especially if you realize you...
Protests over police violence against Black communities have put enforcement methods in the spotlight over the past several months. One questionable tool is facial recognition technology to identify suspects involved in crimes. While several states and major cities...
You may have enjoyed an evening out with friends on the town, and on the way home, police stop your car and smell marijuana when you open your vehicle window. Before you know it, police are searching your car and find not only pot, but also some methamphetamine. The...
For many people, the words "burglary," "robbery" and "theft" mean pretty much the same thing. After all, a burglar breaks into a Ft. Myers business or home to rob it, right? Legally, this is not correct. Under Florida law, burglary and robbery are separate crimes. You...
Shoplifting is a common crime in Florida. In some cases, the shoplifter is a teen who wanted something they couldn't afford; in other cases, it is someone with a history of stealing, drug addiction or mental illness. In other words, shoplifting can be a one-time...
Police officers in Florida and around the country must usually obtain a warrant before searching a suspect’s home or office, but the courts have consistently ruled that warrantless vehicle searches are permissible as long as the officer involved acted with sufficient...
The Constitution provides every American the same rights. The fourth amendment protects American citizens from illegal, invasive searches and seizures of items. Law enforcement can still legally search private property, but there are still scenarios in which a search...
The legalization of drugs has become a rather hot topic. Many people hold different stances and the controversy is still open for debate. Many have continued to argue that possessing and using marijuana should at least be legalized and, though it has happened in some...
Smartphones contain much or nearly all of our personal data, and that potentially offers the government gigabytes of evidence that can be used against you if you are arrested or charged with a crime. But the government’s ability to view that data depends upon several...
In what was called a retaliation shooting in a Fort Myers community on July 4, 2017, one man was left dead, and another critically injured. The 3000 block of Thomas Street, in the Dunbar neighborhood, was shot up. Police claimed to have found a 35-year-old man by the...