The holidays are a time for joyful celebration and spending time with loved ones. Unfortunately, there are occasions where those joyful celebrations may get out of hand. Misconduct during the holidays may see you come face-to-face with law enforcement, along with all the consequences that could come along with alleged misbehavior.
If you want to avoid spending your holidays contesting criminal charges, it’s in your best interest to know what misbehavior Florida police officers are on high alert for come the holidays. The more you know about seasonal crime rates, the safer you can keep your holiday season. The Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford can help you answer any questions you may have if you were charged with jail time during the holidays.
What Are Common Crimes During the Holidays?
There are many crimes that people get arrested for during the holiday season. Some of the most common ones include:
Theft or Shoplifting
There are hundreds upon thousands of people out and out during the holiday season trying to find gifts for their families. In those crowds, it can be all too easy to accidentally forget to pay for a gift or slip something you shouldn’t into your pocket.
Florida Statutes Section 812.014 tackles the state’s approach to shoplifting. Anyone accused and brought up on charges of shoplifting will have the consequences of their actions determined by the value of the goods they removed from a store.
For example, shoplifting products valued at less than $100 see the accused face up to 60 days in jail and up to $500 in fines. Comparatively, stealing goods valued between $301 and $5,000 constitutes grand larceny, which comes with the risk of nearly five years in a Florida prison.
Drunk and Disorderly Conduct
The holiday season begets as much drinking as it does shopping. Whether you’ve had a glass of wine to cope with your family or to ring in the new year, you need to be careful where and when you imbibe.
You can be arrested for public intoxication during this holiday season. Specifically, Florida believes that parties who engage in drunk and disorderly behavior can endanger those around them. Florida Statute 856.011 specifically outlaws public intoxication as well as disorderly behavior.
The jail time associated with drunk and disorderly charges can last up to 60 days. Fines associated with drunk and disorderly behavior cap at $500 for parties without an existing criminal record.
Florida DUI Charges
You can be arrested for more than intoxication in public this holiday season. If you get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated, Florida police officers can charge you with a DUI or “wet recklessness.” If this is your first time facing a DUI charge, you face a risk of jail time of up to six months or 50 hours of community service.
If your blood alcohol level is abnormally high or if you have an existing criminal record, jail time upon a conviction may last up to nine months. Other consequences can range from fines to required DUI classes, vehicle impoundment, and even license revocations.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Are On Your Side
You shouldn’t have to contend with the threat of jail time this holiday season. Don’t let unfounded criminal charges prevent you from spending precious time with your family. Reach out to the Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford instead and get ahead of the charges that might otherwise ruin your holiday season.
We help clients better understand our defense services during our initial case consultations. You can schedule yours by contacting our office at (239) 315-9750 or getting in touch with us via our contact form. Let a criminal defense attorney challenge the charges brought against you so you can spend this holiday season with the people you care about.
