Pumphrey Law Blog

February 9, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled that a man who drove thirty miles an hour over the speed limit, attempted to weave through crowded traffic and drifted into bike lanes, was guilty of vehicular homicide. In Florida, vehicular homicide (Fla. Stat. 782.071) is a very serious criminal offense. Vehicular homicide is typically considered a second-degree felony, punishable by up …

February 9, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeal reversed an adjudication of guilt for aggravated assault allegedly committed by a juvenile defendant – as there was dispute as to whether the ‘shotgun’ he used to commit the alleged assault was real, or a toy. In Florida, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (Fla. Stat. 784.021(1)(a)) is a very serious offense. It is …

February 9, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed a defendant’s vehicular homicide conviction after he drove despite being drunk and a mortar firework exploding in his car, filling it with smoke. In Florida, vehicular homicide (Fla. Stat. 782.071) is a very serious offense. Vehicular homicide is typically considered a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in state prison and …

February 9, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s Supreme Court held that one of a defendant’s two denied “cause challenges” should have been granted by the trial judge – but that because the trial judge awarded the defendant an additional peremptory strike, his conviction and death sentence did not require reversal. In Florida, jury selection (also known as voir dire) is a critical aspect of any criminal …

February 9, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal held that a man  who accidentally shot his girlfriend after a heated argument with her, was guilty of attempted second-degree murder – as he acted with a “depraved mind.” In Florida, second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder are very serious offenses. For someone to be guilty of second-degree murder, the State must prove the …

February 9, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that a defendant’s statements to bystanders before he pulled a gun on a separate victim led to those bystanders developing a well-founded fear of violence when the defendant pulled out a gun – even though they were not his “targets.” In Florida, aggravated assault is a serious criminal offense (Fla. Stat. 784.021(1)(a) and …

January 14, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal ruled that a defendant was not guilty of aggravated assault as a matter of law on a victim who rolled under a truck to remain invisible to the defendant while the defendant was robbing the victim’s friends. In Florida, aggravated assault (Fla. Stat. 784.021) is a very serious felony offense. Though it is typically …

January 14, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed a defendant’s conviction for second-degree murder – finding he acted with a “depraved mind” – before elaborating upon what this term actually means. In Florida, second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder are very serious felonies. For someone to be guilty of second-degree murder, the State must establish all of the following beyond a …

January 14, 2026 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Violent Crimes Social Share

Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal held that a juvenile raising a chair above her head as if to hit a “laughing” victim with it, before she was restrained, was aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. In Florida, aggravated assault is a very serious felony offense. Though it is usually a third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison and …