Pumphrey Law Blog

June 25, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Violent Crimes Social Share

In Florida, vessel homicide is a very serious criminal offense. Unlike many other forms of homicide, vessel homicide does not require someone to have intended to kill the victim for that person to be convicted. But if someone is charged with vessel homicide, what are the potential criminal and financial penalties they may face? This article will answer this question, …

June 25, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 10-20-Life law is one of the most significant pieces of legislation in the state relating to the use of firearms. It is also one of the most frequently understood. For many felonies involving the use of a firearm, the 10-20-Life law (Fla. Stat. 775.087) provides: If a firearm is displayed but not discharged, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum …

June 25, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s “10-20-Life” law is one of the state’s most significant laws in terms of punishing crime involving firearms. If someone commits a felony while using a firearm, and the use of a firearm is not an element of that underlying felony, Florida’s 10-20-Life law creates a system of mandatory minimum sentences based on how the firearm was used.  This article …

June 25, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s “10-20-Life” law is one of the state’s most widely-discussed statutes. It plays a significant role in sentencing at criminal trials if someone is found guilty of committing a felony involving a firearm, and the use of a firearm is not an essential element of that felony. But what does the 10-20-Life law actually say? This article will discuss the …

June 17, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

If someone fires a gun into the air in Florida, various criminal charges may be brought. Due to the potential for the projectile to injure or kill individuals on the ground, someone may face charges ranging from reckless discharge of a firearm to attempted second-degree murder. But given a lack of specific intent to kill another person, can someone really …

June 9, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

In Florida, vessel homicide is a very serious felony offense. Unlike many other forms of homicide, vessel homicide does not require the person charged with the homicide to have intended for the victim to die. If someone operates a vessel (boat) recklessly and their actions are the proximate cause of another’s death, they may be convicted of vessel homicide. This …

June 9, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

In Florida, attempted second-degree murder is a serious felony offense. It is considered a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. However, legal scholars and Florida courts have debated the legality of the state’s attempted second-degree murder statute – as it does not require someone to have specifically intended to commit murder for …

June 9, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

In Florida, second-degree murder is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. However, there is also the lesser known crime of attempted second-degree murder. This blog will explain the offense of attempted second-degree murder in Florida, and what must be proven for someone to be convicted of it.  Attempted second-degree murder occurs when someone takes an intentional but …

May 19, 2025 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” (SYG) law is one of the state’s most well-known statutes, and is often invoked in cases where someone claims they were defending themselves with a firearm or other deadly weapon. This article will discuss Florida’s Stand Your Ground law under Section 776.212(2), Florida Statutes, the procedural aspects of bringing a Stand Your Ground claim, and the …