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Financial or White Collar Crimes
Financial or White Collar Crimes 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

corporate crime

White collar crimes involve deceiving individuals, organizations or companies of their money. This type of crime is non-violent and usually occurs when a person in a position of trust abuses his/her power. Some examples of white collar crimes include, but are not limited to:

  • Fraud
  • Money laundering
  • Electronic or cyber crime
  • Bribery and corruption
  • Embezzlement
  • Blackmail
  • Forgery
  • Tax Evasion

Although these crimes do not cause physical harm, they may carry heavy consequences. In Florida, penalties can include:

  • Second Degree Misdemeanor: Up to 60 days in jail and/or fines not exceeding $500.
  • First Degree Misdemeanor: Jail sentence up to 1 year and/or fines not exceeding $1,000.
  • Third Degree Felony: Imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fines up to $5,000.
  • Second Degree Felony: Imprisonment up to 15 years and/or fines not exceeding $10,000.
  • First Degree Felony: Imprisonment for up 30 years or possible life imprisonment and/or fines not exceeding $10,000.

An aggravated white collar crime is defined under the Florida White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act as “engaging in at least two white collar crimes that have the same or similar victims, results, accomplices, intents, or methods of commission, or that are otherwise related by certain characteristics showing the offenses are not isolated from each other.” An aggravated white collar crime is a first degree felony.

It is important to hire a defense attorney if you are charged with or believe you are being investigated for committing a white collar crime. Common defenses include 1) Challenging or disproving the state’s case and 2) Entrapment, which is when law enforcement induced someone to commit a crime that he/she would not have committed otherwise.

For more information on the different types of white collar crimes, please visit: http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=36300

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Bail in America: A Tool of Coercion
Bail in America: A Tool of Coercion 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

man-in-prison

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution explicitly states that “excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed.” However, bail in America has evolved in such a way that it has become less of a tool for keeping people out of jail and more of a tool to coerce low-income defendants to enter a “guilty” plea because they cannot afford it. Even when bail is set at a low amount not everyone can afford it as they have to pay 10% of the bail amount to the court, in cases like this when a defendants bail is low but not low enough for them to pay there and then they will usually seek the help of a bail bondsman or bail bonding company.

Let’s look at an example from the New York Times’ article “The Bail Trap” of how bail keeps the criminal-justice system afloat: In 2013, New York processed 365,000 arraignments. Of those cases, less than 5 percent actually went to trial. However, even if a small portion of those defendants decided to assert their right to trial, it would be too overwhelming for criminal courts to handle. So, forcing defendants to plead guilty actually makes it easier on the courts.

A 2012 report by the New York City Criminal Justice Agency also shows that about 50 percent of defendants in non-felony cases who did not have to stay locked up before their trials, either because no bail was set or because they were able to afford it, were eventually convicted. When defendants had to stay in jail until their cases were resolved, the conviction rate jumped to a whopping 92 percent! The report is based on 10 years of criminal statistics and concludes that even pretrial detention itself “creates enough pressure to increase guilty pleas.”

Bail doesn’t just affect defendants during the time they are incarcerated – it has long-term effects too. Scott Hechinger, a senior trial attorney with Brooklyn Defender Services, said “Most of our clients are people who have crawled their way up from poverty or are in the throes of poverty. Our clients work in service-level positions where if you’re gone for a day, you lose your job. People in need of caretaking — the elderly, the young — are left without caretakers. People who live in shelters, where if they miss their curfews, they lose their housing. Folks with immigration concerns are quicker to be put on the immigration radar. So when our clients have bail set, they suffer on the inside, they worry about what’s happening on the outside, and when they get out, they come back to a world that’s more difficult than the already difficult situation that they were in before.”

Learn more about “the bail trap” here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/magazine/the-bail-trap.html

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Central Florida Law Enforcement Agency Interested in Buying Hacking Team Technology
Central Florida Law Enforcement Agency Interested in Buying Hacking Team Technology 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

Hacker

Wikileaks, a website that posts original documents from anonymous sources, has recently leaked e-mails between the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and the Italian company Hacking Team that show the MBI’s desire to purchase spyware technology that would enable the agency to infiltrate phones and computers.

The MBI is a multi-agency task force in Orlando that covers Osceola and Orange counties and includes members from State Attorney’s Office, Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sherriff’s department as well as other local police agencies and the DEA, FBI, ICE, Secret Service and other agencies. Hacking Team is a company that uses computer viruses to help law enforcement and national security organizations gain access to targeted networks.

Ironically, Hacking Team itself has been hacked in the past. The hackers exposed documents on a Twitter page titled “Hacked Team” that showed evidence of the company working with numerous repressive governments such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, many of whom have been criticized by international human rights organizations for aggressively monitoring journalists and other freedom activists. This is alarming because it essentially means that the MBI is using tax payer money to associate itself with and support a company that provides support for terrorists.

The recently leaked documents between the MBI and Hacking Team show that the MBI wants to purchase spyware called Galileo from the company. Galileo, which can be installed on phones and computers, will allow law enforcement officials to see what a targeted suspect is seeing in real time. The police would also be able to track the suspect’s movements. MBI director Larry Zweig even told the Orlando Sentinel that the task force wants to be able to track drug and human trafficking organizations through apps like Snapchat.

The MBI’s collaboration with Hacking Team wouldn’t be the first time that the agency has tried to use questionable methods to obtain evidence of criminal activity. In 1981, the MBI arrested 10 men on charges of running a football gambling ring after wire tapping two phones. The agency, however, was only permitted to tap one phone as part of the investigation. Therefore, none of the defendants went to jail.

In another instance, the MBI enlisted an alleged drug dealer named Donna Jean Gallagher as an informant in 1985. She later claimed that “she stole cocaine during MBI investigations to feed a habit agents knew about but did nothing to stop, was gang-raped by drug dealers while working for the agency and had sex with two of her supervising agents.” The agents were consequently fired.

If the MBI uses Galileo in its investigations, the agency needs to make sure that it filters out information obtained from people who are not targets of the investigation. In doing so, the MBI would be violating Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets act of 1968. If the agency’s past transgressions say anything about the future of the MBI + Hacking Team partnership, however, it’s that there may be significant privacy concerns ahead.

Additional information:

This week, NPR 90.7 aired an interview Florida Center for Investigative Reporting reported Trevor Aaronson, who voices some of the concerns with providing MBI with this powerful technology. http://www.wmfe.org/fcir-leaked-documents-show-mbis-interest-in-surveillance-software/

Read the MBI and Hacking Team emails here:
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/?q=randall+pennington&mfrom=&mto=&title=&notitle=&date=&nofrom=&noto=&count=50&sort=0#searchresult

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Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimums
Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimums 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

When it comes to drug trafficking charges, a person does not have to actually sell a drug in order to break Florida’s drug trafficking laws. Different drugs carry a different minimum mandatory prison sentence based on the weight of the drug. For example, possession of 1 gram or more of LSD can result in a >1 but less than 5 gram Trafficking in LSD charge.

Minimum mandatory prison sentences do not usually receive “gain time,” or a reduction in prison time for inmates who display satisfactory behavior , educational attainment or participate in other incentive programs. Cases involving drug trafficking charges, however, are entitled to gain time. This is because the court in Mastay v. McDonough, Florida Department of Corrections, 928 So. 2d 512 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006), held that drug trafficking charges are eligible for gain time, just  not discretionary release.

Drug trafficking offenses are taken very seriously, with mandatory minimum sentences that range from 3 years to 25 years in prison. If you are arrested for trafficking, it is crucial to contact an experienced Orlando criminal defense attorney to represent and defend you in court.

The chart below shows the minimum mandatory sentences for trafficking in various drugs:

[table id=2 /]

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Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide
Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

gty_supreme_court_gay_marriage_wg_150626_16x9_992

The United States Supreme Court jurisprudence has evolved over the last fifteen years.

On June 26, 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court ruled a state cannot ban same-sex sexual activity.

On June 26, 2013 in United States v. Windsor, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defined marriage to be between one man and one woman, which served to deny health benefits to same-sex couples.

Finally, on June 26, 2015, history was made when the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples nationwide have the constitutional right to marry. Which is finally a step in the right direction, considering same-sex pornography on adult sites like www.hdpornvideo.xxx has been something of a norm for many years all over the world, it’s surprising it’s taken this long for some to change the perception of same-sex marriage.

“No longer may this liberty be denied,” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority. “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.”

Some major reasons the justices gave for the decision include:

1. The 14th Amendment states that no State shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Same-sex couples may not be deprived of the liberty or fundamental right to marry.

2. The ban on interracial marriage was invalidated in Loving v. Virginia, where a unanimous court upheld that marriage is “one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.” Same-sex couples should also be able to exercise the right to personal choice regarding marriage.

3. Protecting the right to marry also protects children and families. This is because not all heterosexual married couples have children and they are definitely not required by law to do so. For gay couples who do want to have children through methods such as adoption or surrogacy, telling them that their unions are less than marriage creates a “more difficult and uncertain family life. The marriage laws at issue thus harm and humiliate the children.”

4. Marriage develops along with law and society. “The history of marriage is one of both continuity and change. That institution—even as confined to opposite-sex relations—has evolved over time,” Justice Kennedy wrote.

Although gay rights leaders all over the world have been celebrating the ruling, they still hope to tackle other major challenges that remain for their movement, such as the expansion of federal civil-rights laws to protect gays in the workplace.

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Possible Penalties and Defenses for Driving With a Suspended License
Possible Penalties and Defenses for Driving With a Suspended License 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

In Florida, a driver’s license may be suspended for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:

  • Failure to pay a traffic fine.
  • Failure to pay child support.
  • Failure to maintain insurance.
  • Reckless driving.
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
  • Accumulation of traffic points.

There are a number of driving related offenses that someone could get in trouble for, such as driving without insurance. One of the biggest problems is people driving without a valid license. A person who is caught driving with a suspended license may face serious consequences. A person driving under a suspended license with knowledge of the suspension can be charged with a criminal offense. Under Section 322.34, Florida Statutes, a first offense for driving with a suspended license (with knowledge of it being suspended, canceled or revoked) can result in 60 days jail and a fine of up to $500.00.

A person driving under a suspended license without knowledge of the suspension can receive a civil citation, where they must pay a fine.

Driving with a suspended license—either with or without knowledge—also counts as one of the “Three Strikes” toward being labeled a “Habitual Traffic Offender.” If an individual receives three convictions within five years for, among others charges: Driving with License Suspended (even if you are not arrested) Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Fleeing and Eluding that individual will be labeled a “Habitual Traffic Offender” and lose their license for five years. If charged with a subsequent Driving with License Suspended offense while a Habitual Traffic Offender, this offense is a Third Degree Felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, 5 years probation and a $5,000 fine.

Contact an Orlando experienced criminal defense attorney for a free consultation if you have been accused of driving on a suspended, canceled, or revoked license. You may be able to contest the charge or minimize penalties.

Some possible defenses include:

  • Challenging the validity of the traffic stop.
  • The accused was not aware that his license was suspended (in which case, under Florida law, the charge must be reduced to a non-criminal traffic violation).
  • The accused’s Florida driver’s license had been reinstated or adequate reason existed to believe it had been reinstated.
Frequently Asked Questions After an Arrest
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Frequently Asked Questions After an Arrest
Frequently Asked Questions After an Arrest 1920 1080 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

1. What rights do I have?

Whether you are an adult citizen or non-citizen, you have certain constitutional rights after you are arrested. Before the law enforcement officer questions you after an arrest, he or she should tell you that:

  • You have the right to remain silent.
  • Anything you say may be used against you.
  • You have a right to have a lawyer present while you are questioned.
  • If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you.

These are your Miranda rights, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. If you are not given these warnings, your lawyer can ask that any statements you made to the police not be used against you in court.

You also have a right to know the crime or crimes with which you have been charged and the identity of the police officers who are dealing with you.  Not every officer is forthcoming about this information, even though is your right by statute. You also have the right to communicate by telephone with your attorney, family, friends, or bondsperson as soon after you are brought into the police station as practicable. The police are allowed to complete their booking procedures before letting you use the telephone.

At this point, you should probably consider whether to use a local lawyer, especially if you were injured as part of the arrest and you feel as if the injury was unwarranted.

2. If my Miranda Rights weren’t read, does this mean my charges will be dropped?

This is one of the most common questions I receive in my law practice.  Many people think that simply because the police failed to read them their rights, that the case is going to be automatically be thrown out. This is not true. Typically, the only thing that would happen if the rights were not read is that anything that said in response to police questioning after an arrest could not be used against you in your case.

Very frequently, officers have gathered all the information that they need PRIOR to the arrest and will not question suspects after their arrest and, thus, Miranda never needs to be read.    When the police have questioned you without reading your rights and, for example, you made a statement, that statement would not be able to be used in the case against you.  In most situations, it is best to not answer questions without having an attorney present.  If you ask to speak with an attorney, an officer must immediately cease questioning you.

Another common situation is where a suspect voluntarily provides information to the police that is not in response to a question.  In this situation, Miranda would typically not apply.  Miranda is a complicated area of the law with lots of rules and exceptions.  It’s best to consult with an experienced defense attorney to determine if your Miranda rights were violated in your situation.

3. What happens at an Initial Appearance?

Within 48 hours of your arrest, a judge will hold a preliminary hearing to decide whether there is “probable cause for your arrest” or enough evidence to support the charge against you. If the judge finds that there is “probable cause” for the charges — enough evidence that a reasonable person could be convinced that you committed the crime – then the judge will set the terms of your release.  The terms of release normally include a monetary bond set by the judge at the initial appearance and can also include other restrictions like checking in with a Pre-Trial Release Officer, not using or possessing weapons or not having any contact with the alleged victims of the case.

4. What is bail and how is it set?

The amount of bail bond – money or other security deposited with the court to insure that you will appear.  When setting the terms of your release, the judge will consider the seriousness of the offense with which you are charged, any prior failures to appear in court (even for traffic tickets), any previous criminal record, your ties and connections to the community, as well as the probability that you’ll appear in court.  Florida law provides that for most cases bond should be set in at reasonable amount that is attainable by the defendant. In reality, oftentimes a judge may set bond at an amount too high for a defendant to afford.  A criminal defense attorney can file a motion with the court asking the judge to reduce the bond and/or modify the conditions of release (such as not having any contact with the victim).

Leppard Law Blog I Just Got Arrested On a DUI — What's Next?
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I Just Got Arrested On a DUI — What’s Next?
I Just Got Arrested On a DUI — What’s Next? 1920 1080 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

Driving under the influence (DUI) is defined as operating a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, a chemical substance, or a controlled substance after taking an alcohol test. Those under 21 years old can be charged with a DUI if their BAC is 0.02% or over and commercial drivers can be charged if their BAC is 0.04% or over. Over the years, there have been less DUI charges from smart policing because people are being more cautious about when they are driving and the police have focused more on preventing drink driving. However, this doesn’t mean it won’t happen to you.

After you are charged with a DUI, you may feel confused, upset and fearful. It is very important to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you receive the best possible outcome in your case. 

Things to consider after getting out of jail for DUI….

License Suspension

Keep in mind that in every DUI in Florida, there are two separate cases that flow from the same offense. In addition to criminal penalties and charges, you will also have a separate civil case filed against you with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

You have 10 days from the date of arrest to do one of two things. First, you or your attorney can request an Administrative Hearing (formal or informal) in order to determine if the officer had probable cause to arrest you for a DUI. The second option is to forfeit your right to a review hearing in exchange for having a Business Purpose Only (BPO) license issued immediately. This option only applies if you have never had a prior DUI administrative suspension or DUI conviction. You must enroll in DUI School and show proof to DHSMV in order to obtain your BPO license. Failure to request either option within 10 days of your arrest will result in you losing your right to challenge the suspension.

What is an Arraignment on a DUI?

At an arraignment the judge court will inform you of the charges against you and give you the opportunity to plead guilty, no contest or not guilty. A guilty plea or no contest plea will place you at the mercy of the court and the judge find you guilty and will sentence you right then and there in the courtroom–the judge could even send you to jail. There is normally no advantage to entering a guilty or no contest plea at arraignment, especially if you haven’t spoken with an attorney yet to examine the possible weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case. If you miss your court date, hiring an attorney can be a crucial move. An attorney can get sometimes negotiate away a failure to appear and get a suspension of your license cleared. Furthermore, if you hire a DUI attorney, he can waive your appearance at your arraignment and Pre-Trial Conference court dates so that you do not have to attend if you do not want to.

Trying to resolve your case without an experienced DUI attorney is generally not a good idea. Before entering a plea, at a minimum, you and your attorney should review all of the police report, watch the roadside video (if available) as well as the video taken at the breath center to determine the strength of your case.

Is jail time mandatory if I am convicted of a DUI?

No. Not for the first conviction. However, for a second conviction within five (5) years of a prior conviction, a minimum imprisonment term of ten (10) days is required. For a third conviction within ten (10) years of a prior conviction, a minimum imprisonment term of thirty (30) days is required by law.

Can my charges be reduced?

Sometimes, a skilled DUI attorney can get a DUI “reduced” to the charge of reckless driving (alcohol related). This is not actually a reduction of charges; rather, it is an amendment. DUI in Florida carries with it a mandatory minimum penalty which requires an adjudication of guilt. If someone has been adjudicated guilty, it means they have been convicted. When someone enters a plea of no contest to reckless driving, Florida Law does not require the judge to adjudicate that person guilty; rather, the judge may withhold the adjudication which means that person has not been “convicted”. Moreover, unlike a DUI conviction, the disposition of a reckless driving charge usually does not increase ones insurance rates, does not carry a mandatory driver’s license revocation with it, and it can be sealed at a later date in many cases. A judge is not authorized to “reduce” a DUI charge to reckless driving. This can only be achieved through plea negotiations with the prosecutor. An experienced DUI attorney can use knowledge of the law, effective use of motions and artful plea negotiations to attain a “reckless driving” plea offer for his client.

DUI PENALTIES

Unlike the penalties for most other misdemeanors, the minimum statutory penalties for a DUI conviction in Florida can be very severe and involve various types of punishment, including, but not limited to any of the following:

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM DUI PENALTIES IN FLORIDA

 

1x Conviction:

Minimum Penalty Maximum Penalty Comments
Jail None Six Months – Max. Nine months if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle- Max. Year if crash
Probation Early Termination One Year
Driver’s License Suspension Six Months One Year
Community Service Fifty Hours Discretionary
Impoundment Ten Days Thirty Days
Ignition Interlock None Six Months – Required if .15 or above, or minor n vehicle
DUI Counterattack Class Required
Victim Impact Panel Required
Fine $500 $1,000 – $1,000-$2,000 if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle

2x Conviction within 5 Years of Previous DUI Conviction:

Minimum Penalty Maximum Penalty Comments
Jail Ten Days Nine Months – Max. Twelve months if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle
Probation Early Termination One Year
Driver’s License Suspension Five Years
Community Service None None
Impoundment Thirty Days
Ignition Interlock One Year – Two Years if .15 or above, or minor n vehicle
DUI Counterattack Class Required
Victim Impact Panel Required
Fine $1,000 $2,000 – $2,000-$4,000 if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle

2x Conviction with Previous DUI Conviction Outside of 5 Years:

Minimum Penalty Maximum Penalty Comments
Jail None Nine Months – Max. Year if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle
Probation Early Termination One Year
Driver’s License Suspension Six Months One Year
Community Service None None
Impoundment Ten Days Thirty Days
Ignition Interlock Year – Two Years if .15 or above, or minor n vehicle
DUI Counterattack Class Required
Victim Impact Panel Required
Fine $1,000 $2,000 – $2,000-$4,000 if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle

3x Conviction within 10 Years of Previous DUI Conviction:

Minimum Penalty Maximum Penalty Comments
Jail Thirty Days 5 years – If upgraded to felony then Max. Five Years Prison
Probation Early Termination 5 years – If upgraded to felony then Max. Five Years Five Years Probation
Driver’s License Suspension Ten Years – eligibility for hardship driver’s license after 2 years
Community Service None None
Impoundment Ninety Days
Ignition Interlock Two Years
DUI Counterattack Class Required
Victim Impact Panel Required
Fine $2,000 $5,000 – $4,000-$5,000 if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle

3x Conviction with Previous DUI Conviction Outside of 10 Years:

Minimum Penalty Maximum Penalty Comments
Jail None Year
Probation Early Termination One Year
Driver’s License Suspension Six Months One Year
Community Service None None
Impoundment Ten Days Thirty Days
Ignition Interlock Two Years
DUI Counterattack Class Required
Victim Impact Panel Required
Fine $2,000 $5,000 – $4,000-$5,000 if .15 or above, or minor in vehicle

4x Conviction of DUI or more:

Minimum Penalty Maximum Penalty Comments
Jail None Year – If upgraded to felony then Max. Five Years Prison
Probation Early Termination One Year – If upgraded to felony then Max. Five Years Five Years Probation
Driver’s License Suspension Lifetime Revocation
Community Service None None
Impoundment None None
Ignition Interlock None None
DUI Counterattack Class Required
Victim Impact Panel Required
Fine $2,000 $5,000
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Florida’s new drone privacy bill affects multiple industries
Florida’s new drone privacy bill affects multiple industries 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

drone

The global market for non-military drones has recently been estimated as a $2.5 billion industry that is continuing to grow. While Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon are investigating potential drone use for their delivery service, less publicized industries are also prepared for drone operation. The benefits of drones to the agriculture, construction, energy and mining industries are immeasurable say experts who study the commercial impact of drones.

GoFarm LLC, a Michigan-based agri-data business, performs field surveys by using drones to collect imagery in visible and non-visible bands to determine health of crops (see video here).  The imagery that the company collects can be used to provide detailed assessments of fields and individual plants.

There is, however, great risk that comes with collecting data using drones. Beyond the obvious risk of property damage from wayward drones, many jurisdictions are passing legislation aimed at privacy concerns. On May 14, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a drone privacy bill into law. The bill establishes a private right of action for people photographed in their homes by drones without their consent.

Laws such as this one affect more than just drone-based companies. Chuck Tobin, a partner with Holland & Knight LLP and leader of the firm’s drone practice team, said the law infringes on the rights of the news media.

“It has no consideration of news events, news value, or any real thought of vantage point from public places,” he told the Business Journal in a phone interview. “It’s riddled with First Amendment issues.”

Tobin also said that using drones for photography is a much cheaper and safer way for broadcast news outlets to gather news than from a helicopter, which have actually killed reporters in crashes.

Now that the new law is in place, companies must alter their operations to comply with local rules and regulations, and members of the press must be careful not to upset homeowners when utilizing drone images in news stories.

Learn more about how the new law is affecting the news media here: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/05/18/floridas-new-drone-laws-could-create-big-problems.html

Learn more about how the new law is affecting drone-based companies here: http://nationallawforum.com/2015/05/21/as-drones-hit-the-sky-lawsuits-predicted-to-fly/

 

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New law makes traffic ticket quotas illegal in Florida
New law makes traffic ticket quotas illegal in Florida 150 150 Leppard Law - Top Rated Orlando DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys in Orlando

florida-flashing-headlights-speed-trap-free-speech1

It is not uncommon to see police officers implementing speed traps in areas where the speed limit drops drastically within short distances. Sometimes, officers feel the need to implement these speed traps in order to meet monthly traffic ticket quotas.

Fortunately for motorists, Gov. Rick Scott signed a law this week that forbids local governments from having ticket quotas. The law will take effect on July 1 and requires law enforcement to submit reports to the Legislature if their traffic ticket revenues cover more than one third of the costs of operating their agencies. They may also be audited and face investigation by the state attorney general.

Supporters of the law believe that it will ensure transparency in government and prevent the exploitation of motorists.

To learn more, read the full article on: http://www.wesh.com/news/new-law-makes-traffic-ticket-quotas-illegal-in-florida/33089614

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