Pumphrey Law Blog

September 13, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

The West Florida News recently covered a story on a Tampa man who has been given a second chance of freedom after serving over 30 years in jail. Tony G. Hopps is a 56-year-old man who was arrested 31 years ago for armed theft in South Tampa at the Tahitian Inn. After being convicted for a crime he did not …

September 13, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

The Florida Supreme Court has issued an order to hear a challenge to the controversial 2011 state law on local gun regulations. Thirty local governments have sued to overturn the Florida law that enforces strict punishment on officials who challenge gun regulations. As it currently stands, the law leads to fines of up to $5,000 and potential removal from office for …

September 9, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Seal or Expunge Criminal Record Social Share

In Florida, once you are convicted of a felony, you lose certain rights. The most common right is the right to own or possess a firearm or ammunition. If someone with a felony conviction is found illegally owning a firearm, serious penalties can arise. Additional issues come up when this charge is tried with another charge, like possession of a …

September 8, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

The New Florida Rule According to SB 2006, a liability bill signed into law in May by Governor Ron DeSantis, businesses, schools, and government entities can be fined of up to $5,000 per individual and face a separate violation by the Department of Health if they ask to see a customer or member of the public’s vaccine passport. A vaccine …

September 7, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

The Tallahassee Police Department introduced a first of its kind  mobile phone app last month that allows the public to record their interactions with law enforcement. Coined “Tallahassee Bystander”, the app, which was unveiled by Tallahassee’s Police Chief, is supposed to be a way for law enforcement to “listen and continue to collaborate on ways to strengthen our relationships with …

September 7, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

When a crime has been committed, the person who is responsible is the one who is charged with that specific crime. However, the state of Florida follows the theory of “all for one, one for all”. This describes the case of the principal, or any person who has helped in the process of the crime committed. In the case of …

September 2, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Mental health courts are a special kind of court aimed at helping repeat offenders with untreated mental illness. Florida courts recognize that their jails and prisons are “not designed, equipped, or funded to deal with serious mental illness, so the creation of mental health court was a logical response.” Often, mental health courts will order offenders to attend treatment facilities …

September 2, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Under Florida law, disorderly conduct is crime consisting of disturbing, or breaching, the public peace, outraging public decency, or fighting in public. This crime is categorized as a misdemeanor in the second-degree, which can pose severe consequences, like jail time, probation, and a criminal record which can affect professional and housing prospects. That is why it is incredibly important to …

September 1, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

What is a “Red Flag” Law In response to the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the state enacted a “red flag” law that allowed judges to order potentially dangerous individuals to surrender their firearms. Five states had some version of a red flag law before the Stoneman Douglas shooting; however, eleven additional states enacted …