Pumphrey Law Blog

June 21, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes Social Share

Federal Legislation The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 is considered the basis of federal human trafficking legislation. The term “trafficking” within the act refers to “severe forms of trafficking in persons,” meaning: “Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act …

June 14, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

A Brief Background on Forced Labor Forced labor fueled by labor trafficking affects millions of men, women and children globally, and such work is present in the agricultural, manufacturing, and mining/quarrying sectors of the United States, as well the sex industry. However, America’s highly underregulated agricultural industry differs because unlike other industries that center around goods produced by labor abuse …

June 14, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Wrongful Convictions Resulting from Eyewitness Identification Eyewitness identification occurs in a case in which an eyewitness identifies the suspect to the police. Though eyewitnesses can be crucial in solving a case, the dangers of misidentification are all to present. In fact, eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest factor contributing to wrongful convictions in the United States.[1] According to recent data, …

June 10, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

What is Vindictive Prosecution? The Supreme Court established that vindictive prosecution is impermissible and occurs when the prosecutor retaliates against the defendant because the defendant has chosen to exercise a legal right.[1] This results in a denial of due process, a defendant’s constitutional right to fair proceedings in a court of law. It is difficult to draw a hard and …

June 9, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Florida Panhandle Arrests Social Share

 Collateral Consequences Generally Collateral consequences are the roadblocks that those with prior criminal convictions and their loved ones face upon the returning citizen’s release. These range from emotional consequences, like a sense of helplessness when returning to the outside world, all the way to government-imposed burdens, like restricted access to public benefits.[1] These all culminate into one result: recidivism. Recidivism …

June 8, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes Social Share

What is Human Trafficking? The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, also known as the Trafficking Protocol, defines human trafficking as a crime that involves an act, a means, and an intended purpose.[1] The act involves “the recruitment, transportation or transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons”, while the means can include threats, use …

June 8, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of many, including how criminal trials are conducted. If you are charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense lawyer to understand your rights and what to expect from the court process during the pandemic. Don Pumphrey is a trusted criminal defense attorney in Tallahassee that can help you navigate this everchanging process. …

June 8, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

            Florida is an outlier when comes to decisions regarding the death penalty. Recent Florida Supreme Court decisions have left this state in the company of only a few others in terms of the procedural safeguards afforded to capital defendants. These decisions affect the sentencing process and review process, two incredibly important steps in the treatment of capital defendants. If …

June 3, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Florida criminal offenses are split into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanor convictions are pretty straightforward. First degree misdemeanors are punished with up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Second degree misdemeanors carry up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Sentencing in misdemeanor cases is largely up to the judge, with information provided by …