If you’re ever caught shoplifting in Florida, you could face serious criminal penalties. You’ll also be joining a group of people that include young and old, rich and poor, celebrities and politicians. According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), 1 in 11 people will shoplift during their lifetime. However, only 1 in 48 shoplifters will be caught. Penalties for shoplifting can include fines, jail and prison time. It’s a serious charge that could
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Holidays are meant to be joyful for the whole family. However, the holidays can be stressful for divorced and separated parents and their children who must deal with visitation issues. Between parents and extended families, the holidays can be tough, taxing, and traumatic for everyone involved with children of divorce or separation. It doesn’t have to be. Many holiday planners (and Martha Stewart followers) know that a well-organized holiday schedule can be the best way
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As Florida voters go to the polls this November, nearly 1.5 million Floridians with felony convictions will not be given that opportunity to have their voices heard. That could all change if 60 percent of Florida voters approve Amendment 4—the Voting Restoration Amendment. The Felon Voting Law That Amendment 4 Would Change The Florida Constitution says that a convicted felon cannot vote until their civil rights have been restored. This voting right restriction impacts 10
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a yearly reminder for people to be mindful of a serious situation that can be devastating to victims—leaving deep scars in women, men and children that take years and even decades to heal. The U.S. Government estimates that nearly 25% of all adult women and nearly 14% of men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner. As alarming as those statistics can be, what’s just as harrowing
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For many boaters throughout the country, the wrap up of summer fun means one last boating adventure before fall and winter arrive. While summer is the height of boating season in Florida as well, we’re fortunate to enjoy weather that allows boating throughout most of the year. Northeast Florida offers miles and miles of waterways. All enjoyed by 59,256 boaters who registered their recreational vessels in Duval, Nassau, St. Johns and Clay counties according to
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Approximately 50,000 couples will file for divorce in Florida this year. That annual average rate ranks Florida among one of the top states in the United States for divorces. There are numerous reasons why marriages fail. Possibly one spouse is at fault due to: Adultery Abuse Financial irresponsibility Maybe there is no fault at all. One spouse might feel bored in the marriage or determine they’re just not compatible as a couple. It could be
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A new Florida law taking effect July 1 promises to be a game-changing move toward transparency in the criminal justice system. The law (CS/CS/SB 1392: Criminal Justice) requires all 67 counties to release 25 percent more criminal-justice system data pertaining to: Courts Jails Policing Prison The data will be collected and published in a statewide Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) system publically accessible by the summer of 2019. Going forward, Attorneys, Prosecutors, and the public
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For many Duval County children, summer begins when schools let out around June 1st and ends when the school bell rings mid-August. During those two and a half months, wonderful childhood memories—summer camps, vacations, visits to the beach, zoo and Grandma—are made. Hopefully, children of divorced parents will not recall any summer strife surrounding child custody and time-sharing schedule issues. With a bit of advanced planning, communication and effort from both parents, summer child custody
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If the police have probable cause to think your cell phone contains evidence of a crime, they can obtain a search warrant to examine the content of your device. But what if you have password protected your phone? Can you be compelled to provide the police with your passcode to access the phone? Wouldn’t your refusal to provide your passcode be protected by the Fifth Amendment right against self-incriminating? In December 2016, similar questions were
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In Florida, it’s the child’s legal right that both parents financially support their basic needs. When only one parent has custody, the other parent is generally directed by the court to pay child support. Florida courts determine child support payments based on the combined income of both parents, health insurance, daycare costs, and other financial considerations as well as the amount of overnights the child is with each parent. Essentially, child support payment amounts are
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