Pumphrey Law Blog

April 23, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that a juvenile, who damaged a pool after dropping a weight into it while “playing” with the weight, was not guilty of criminal mischief as a matter of law. CASE: T.D.B. v. State, 85 So.3d 1212 (Fla. 1st DCA 2012) Charge(s): Criminal Mischief Outcome: Adjudication of delinquency REVERSED, as the juvenile defendant did …

April 23, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal ruled that a juvenile, who was waving a gin bottle in the air outside the victim’s house while threatening to “beat her ass,” was not guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as a matter of law. CASE: L.C. v. State, 799 So.2d 330 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001) Charge(s): Aggravated Assault with a …

April 20, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that a juvenile who drove her vehicle at an excessive speed when her brakes were defective, resulting in a crash that killed the victim, could be found guilty of vehicular homicide as a matter of law. CASE: M.C.J. v. State, 444 So.2d 1001 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984) Charge(s): Vehicular Homicide Outcome: Conviction AFFIRMED, …

April 10, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that a 13-year-old defendant was entitled to a new trial because his confession was the result of law enforcement violating his Miranda rights. CASE: J.G. v. State, 883 So.2d 915 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004) Charge(s): Attempted Sexual Battery Outcome: Adjudication of delinquency REVERSED, as the juvenile defendant’s waiver of his Miranda rights was …

December 4, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses Social Share

Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal found that a juvenile driving double the speed limit, in the dark, without an adult in the car despite only having a learner’s permit, committed vehicular homicide when he caused a fatal crash. In Florida, vehicular homicide (Fla. Stat. 782.071) is a very serious felony offense. For someone to be found guilty, the State …

December 4, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Drug Charges, Juvenile Offenses Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal held that even though there were multiple other passengers in the vehicle, the substance was in plain view in an area over which the juvenile had exclusive control. In Florida, someone may be arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia even if this was not found in their actual …

December 4, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses Social Share

Florida’s 1st District of Appeal ruled that even though a juvenile drove a vehicle after he had been drinking, exceeded the speed limit, and swerved off the road, he could not be found guilty of vehicular homicide. In Florida, vehicular homicide is a very serious offense. For someone to be found guilty, the State must prove the following beyond a …

October 23, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses Social Share

A top Florida court reversed a juvenile’s conviction for attempted armed robbery after finding his Miranda rights were violated by law enforcement. In Florida, suspects of all ages must be notified of their Miranda rights before they are subject to custodial interrogation. Miranda rights are named for Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case …

April 9, 2024 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses, News & Announcements Social Share

As the month of March progresses, so has the number of arrests made for Florida Spring Breakers. While people of all ages and backgrounds head to Florida for sunshine and beaches this month, law enforcement are on high alert for suspected criminal activity. Teenagers and young adults under 21 should be especially wary this Spring Break. Although not yet considered …