Pumphrey Law Blog

June 9, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Social Media Social Share

As May marks the Older Americans and Elder Law Month, Attorney General Ashley Moody released a guide to educate and warn senior citizens of the dangers of cybercrimes. The guide lists the most common schemes against elderly Floridians online, along with helpful tips on how to spot, report, and avoid falling victim to an online scheme. The following is a …

May 29, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Juvenile Offenses, Social Media Social Share

If you are suspected of committing a crime, it is important to know that police can view your social media account for any incriminating evidence. In one recent Florida case, a suspect in Miami-Dade was arrested in connection to a crime after posting an image on Instagram with the alleged weapon. This page will provide the case details, along with …

April 7, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Sex Crimes, Social Media Social Share

It is important to remember while social media can be a fun, free place to share our thoughts and ideas, it does not make it private. More than that, it does not mean that our posted content cannot be used against us in court. It’s quite the opposite—communication from social media sites is legal to use as evidence in court. …

March 15, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Sex Crimes, Social Media Social Share

Sexual cyberharassment, or “revenge porn,” is the act of sharing or distributing sexually explicit images or videos of another person without their consent. This may occur if the person wants to embarrass, humiliate, or harm the depicted person. In Florida, revenge porn is an unlawful act, and can result in criminal charges. Violations of Florida law can result in criminal …

March 1, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Social Media, Violent Crimes Social Share

Two weeks after several middle school students were arrested for making mass shooting depictions on TikTok, a Manatee County judge has determined there is no probable cause to continue detaining the preteens. However, they are potentially facing felony charges for written or online threats of mass shootings. This page will provide details from the case, along with information pertaining to …

February 14, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Social Media Social Share

Sexting has become a common term when two people exchange text messages with sexually explicit context. Between two, consenting adults, this is totally fine. However, age plays a very important role when it comes to sexting. If either of the “sexters” is under the age of 18, it can turn into a criminal offense. It is not surprising that Florida …

February 5, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Social Media Social Share

When a person is convicted of a sex crime against a minor, they are often thought of as a “predator” or even a “pedophile.” In the state of Florida, there are harsh consequences against individuals who have been accused of sexual activity with a person under the age of 18. However, what happens if the alleged offender is a minor …

January 20, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Social Media Social Share

As technology continues to expand, so do the ways that hackers can break into your devices. Previously, people who wanted to secretly gain information from their victims would do so through physical methods such as stalking. However, in more recent years these methods have modernized into forms of technical stalking. One specific form of spyware, called “stalkerware,” is being used …

October 13, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Social Media Social Share

On October 1st, HB 921, centered around electronic crimes, went into effect. Ultimately, the bill expands Florida’s existing law that states threats posted online must be directly messaged in order for the threat to carry legal consequences. Now, threats made indirectly through social media posts or stories can be criminally sanctioned. Specifically, the bill amends Section 784.048 of the Florida …