Florida is a mecca for the rest of the country because of the gorgeous miles of beaches on both sides of the peninsula. Those soft white sands and turquoise waters may beckon to you, but beware of racking up criminal charges while you’re here.
It may seem like a funny slogan on a T-shirt, but the fact is that many tourists who vacation here wind up getting into trouble. It might be a DUI, drug charges or assault charges after a bar fight got out of control. Either way, the following information may be helpful.
Your criminal defense begins at your arrest
With body-cam footage and other video evidence against you from the start of your arrest, you certainly don’t want to add any more charges to your rap sheet. So, when an arrest is imminent, submit to law enforcement. Otherwise, you could face charges of resisting arrest on top of your original charge.
There is also no need to be rude to the arresting officers. That can only worsen your fate. Also, be mindful of your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. State out loud that you wish to remain silent until you have had time to put together a defense.
Out-of-state tourists often accept plea bargains
The last thing they want to do is make multiple trips back to Florida for motions and hearings on their criminal cases, so many arrested tourists accept plea bargains to perfectly winnable cases.
In some circumstances, plea bargaining may be the best solution to the matter. But because a criminal conviction can permanently bar the door to public housing, certain jobs, federal student aid and other assistance you may one day need, accepting a plea bargain might not be in your best interests.