Pumphrey Law Criminal Defense Florida Panhandle Arrests

Florida Panhandle Arrests

As a popular spring break destination and college town, the Florida Panhandle is often associated with multiple types of arrests. Arrests that occur throughout the Panhandle can include a variety of misdemeanors and felonies, ranging from possession of marijuana to driving under the influence.

An arrest in the Florida Panhandle can have a lasting negative impression on your future. A conviction can stay on your criminal record permanently, affecting future jobs or opportunities. Additionally, college students can be penalized at school for law violations that occur off campus. While the Panhandle remains a picturesque slice of Florida, attracting both locals and visitors, it’s important to be aware of the consequences of violating Florida law. More importantly, it is dire to know where you can turn for legal help with a dependable defense attorney.

Florida Panhandle Criminal Defense Attorney

Have you or a loved one recently been charged with a criminal offense in the Florida Panhandle? If so, consider hiring an attorney who is familiar with Florida’s statutes and potential defense strategies to fight against a conviction. The defense attorneys with Pumphrey Law provide free consultations regarding your Florida Panhandle arrest when you contact us at (850) 681-7777 or fill out our online form.

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Panhandle Arrest Information Center

• Common Criminal Offenses in Florida’s Panhandle
• Florida Panhandle Arrest Penalties
• Example Cases in Florida Panhandle
• Resources

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Common Criminal Offenses in Florida’s Panhandle

When a person is apprehended by law enforcement in the Florida panhandle, it means they are being accused of violating state law. Criminal offenses in Florida are broken down into misdemeanors and felonies. The penalties you face will be dependent on the type of charge you are facing.

The most common criminal charges that arise from Florida Panhandle arrests can include:

• Drug charges – Individuals who reside in or travel to Florida’s Panhandle and are caught with any controlled substance can face charges ranging from unlawful possession, possession with the intent to sell, or drug trafficking.
• DUI – Considering the Panhandle is a hot spot for Spring Break and Summer, it is extremely common for individuals to face criminal prosecution for driving under the influence (DUI). Florida always prosecutes individuals for driving while high, boating under the influence, and even biking under the influence.
• Disorderly Conduct – As crowds pile onto the beach for Spring Break, it is likely that there will be some presence of alcohol. Individuals who engage in any conduct that outrages the sense of public decency can face criminal prosecution.
• Violent Crimes – Offenses such as assault, battery, and aggravated forms of both crimes are common in the Florida Panhandle. A person would face prosecution for threatening to cause harm to another person or physically harming another person.
• Sex Crimes – State attorneys in the Florida Panhandle will harshly prosecute individuals accused of crimes that involve a sexual nature. This can include indecent exposure, lewd and lascivious acts, and sexual battery.
• Criminal Mischief – Defacing or destroying the public or private property in the Panhandle can result in criminal prosecution. Acts of vandalism are common among juvenile offenders.
• Theft Crimes – Stealing the private property of another person can result in being arrested for a theft crime in the Panhandle. Common offenses include larceny, petit theft, grand theft, and grand theft auto.

If you’ve recently been arrested in the Florida Panhandle for a criminal offense, contact Pumphrey Law Firm. Our defense attorneys have the knowledge and experience to represent your case and fight for the most optimal outcome.

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Penalties for Being Arrested in the Florida Panhandle

If you are convicted of a criminal offense in the Florida Panhandle, a judge could sentence you to pay fines, serve a jail or prison sentence, or both. The penalties for each classification of offense in Florida are outlined in Florida Statute Section 775.082 and Florida Statute Section 775.083.

• Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail;
• First-degree misdemeanor: Up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail;
• Third-degree felony: Up to a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison;
• Second-degree felony: Up to a $10,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison;
• First-degree felony: Up to a $10,000 fine and up to 30 years in prison;
• Life felony: Up to a $15,000 fine and up to life in prison;
• Capital felony: Either life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

Additional penalties under Florida Statute Section 775.082 provide that individuals who are found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor can have their license suspended or revoked. Penalties for college student arrested in the Panhandle can also include school punishments, such as admonition, warnings, probation, suspension and even expulsion. A defense attorney with Pumphrey Law can help you prepare and provide representation for the student disciplinary hearing.

Example Cases in Florida’s Panhandle

The following lists two example criminal cases from the Florida Panhandle:

February 2021 – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office conducted a week-long sting operation that resulted in the arrest of 38 sex offenders in predators. According to the report, “Operation Watchdog” joined the forces of several local agencies in the Florida Panhandle along with Homeland Security to conduct the sting. One of the individuals arrested was a Bay County EMS Captain, who was charged with traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity. The 38 people arrested were charged with possession of child pornography, sexual battery, traveling to meet a minor for sex, and the failure to register as a sex offender.

March 2023 – The Panama City Beach Police arrested two individuals on their way to Panama City Beach for suspected drugs and weapons inside the vehicle. According to a local report, deputies arrested Tony Mitchell and Christopher Lewis during a traffic stop on March 15, 2023.

“They were coming down here with a lot of money, some weapons and some drugs,” said Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez.

Police seized over 200 grams of marijuana, a loaded firearm, and more than $17,000 in cash from the car. There was also drug paraphernalia found, including a set of scales. Both suspects were charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Mitchell, a former freshman for Alabama football, was suspended indefinitely following the arrest.

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Florida Panhandle Colleges

The Panhandle is home to several Florida colleges and universities, including:

• Florida State University
• Gulf Coast Community College
• Keiser College
• Okaloosa-Walton Community College
• Pensacola Junior College
• Tallahassee Community College
• University of West Florida

Whether you are a Florida university student facing criminal accusations, or you’re the parent of a college student facing criminal prosecution, contact a Florida Panhandle defense attorney. Pumphrey Law represents young college kids in need of criminal representation.

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Florida Panhandle Resources

The following provides resources related to the Florida Panhandle:

• Leon County Web Site – The Leon County, Florida’s official government website has a variety of information about the county, courthouses, community resources and local government links. The Leon County Courthouse is located at:

301 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 577-4000

• Tallahassee Police Department –The city of Tallahassee’s police department web site. The site contains crime safety tips, records and information for residents and visitors of Tallahassee. The police department is located at:

234 East Seventh Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 891-4200

• My Florida – Florida’s official source for information about the state contains information for planning a vacation to the Florida Panhandle and other pertinent information about the state of Florida.

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Pumphrey Law | Florida Panhandle Arrest Defense Lawyer

Whether you are a local resident or a tourist here on vacation, facing criminal allegations from the Florida Panhandle should not be taken lightly. A criminal conviction can seriously impact your future, and result in having to pay expensive fines and potentially face incarceration.

If you have been arrested in the Florida Panhandle or the surrounding Florida counties, contact the attorneys at the Pumphrey Law. There may be options to lessen your charges or have them completely dropped entirely. It’s important to have a knowledgeable legal professional review your case details to help establish any applicable defense strategies. Finding an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney in the Panhandle can go a long way towards helping you avoid negative repercussions.

Contact Pumphrey Law Firm today at (850) 681-7777 to schedule a free consultation about your Florida Panhandle arrest.