It’s almost that time of year when college students throughout the nation come to Florida to enjoy a little R & R during spring break. If you plan to be among this year’s vacationers, you’ve probably already begun making plans. In addition to booking hotel rooms, contacting friends who will be traveling with you, and creating a rough itinerary of how you’ll spend your time when you arrive, you might also want to do a little research regarding various types of laws, just in case a problem arises
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MEDICAL MARIJUANA NOW LEGAL IN FLORIDA: WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU
On the ballot this past November, Florida residents cast their votes regarding the legalization of medical marijuana use. The measure passed overwhelmingly, allowing chronically, terminally or seriously ill Floridians to have access to marijuana for the treatment of certain conditions or to manage chronic pain. This may be great news if you face the challenges of a serious medical condition, but it is important to understand what this amendment to the state’s constitution means for you or a loved one. Does your condition qualify you for
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MINIMIZING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF DUI IN COLLEGE
If you’re a college student in Florida who has been hitting the books hard since the beginning of the 2016 school year, you’re probably like many others who seek respite from their studies from time to time with friends. Perhaps your school has a common area where you can shoot a pool, watch a movie or socialize. You may also live on a campus near a local town where the nightlife is bustling and merchants welcome local college students. If your visit to town led to trouble
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HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT CAN AFFECT A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST
Law enforcement may have you believe that a breathalyzer or field sobriety test is the be-all and end-all in support of a DUI charge. Even sober people may struggle to pass, however, and they are neither an admission nor objective evidence of guilt. There are many factors, in fact, that can complicate the findings of a field sobriety test. Potential health conditions are not the least of these. Mobility issues One of the most common types of field sobriety tests is the so-called walk and turn.
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THE HIDDEN RISKS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE
Millions of people take prescription painkillers every day. Of these, the vast majority do so in moderation for legitimate ailments. Many, however, have fallen prey to the power of these narcotics. According to Fox News, doctors are often lax in their writing of prescriptions, and as a result, patients can easily fall into addictive cycles after doing little more than seeking pain relief. These and other factors account for a number of hidden risks associated with the use of prescription drugs. The prescription painkiller problem Prescription
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WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID A FIRST DUI CONVICTION
As harsh as the penalties are for a first DUI conviction in Florida, the consequences are far worse if you are convicted a second time within five years. For example, instead of a 90-day to one-year revocation of your driver’s license, you face a five-year revocation. Rather than assuming you will never get a second DUI conviction, it’s important to do everything you can to avoid a first conviction. What are the penalties for a first DUI conviction in Florida? The penalties for a
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Bringing a weapon to an airport? Think again
Some people who carry handguns make the mistake of having those weapons in their bags when they fly. Some people are so used to carrying a gun, they literally forget it was there. This can be a costly mistake. Having a weapon in your carry-on luggage or improperly in a checked bag is a federal crime, even if you did not have criminal intent. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about weapons and planes. What if I have a legal permit to carry a gun? It’s illegal
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TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT UNDERAGE DUI
The time to talk to children about underage DUI is before the child is presented with a situation where he or she may consume alcohol and drive. In many cases, this happens before many parents think. In Florida, the legal limit for a driver under the age of 21 is 0.02 percent blood alcohol content. Depending on your child’s weight, a single mixed drink or can of beer can put him or her over the legal limit. The legal limit for adults is 0.08 percent-four times higher.
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CARRYING A FRIEND’S PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION CAN GET YOU IN TROUBLE
It’s easy to run afoul of Florida laws concerning prescription medications. Simply carrying a friend’s prescription can lead to a felony drug charge if a police officer stops and searches you. Having a drug conviction on your criminal record can be devastating in a world where background checks have become commonplace for employment. If you are a student, a drug conviction can make you ineligible for federal student loans. You could face lifelong consequences for doing something you didn’t even know was illegal. Some of the
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IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGAL IN FLORIDA
With the governor having signed a bill allowing the use of medical marijuana for terminally ill patients, and a bill permitting wider use of medical marijuana on the fall ballot, it’s easy to be confused over what is and what isn’t legal. This confusion can lead to an arrest that can have a lasting effect on your life. Here is the status of Florida’s medical marijuana laws. The bill signed by Governor Rick Scott legalized medical marijuana for terminally ill patients only. A previous law passed
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