Restitution is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.” When people think of restoring something lost, whether it be the value of goods or stolen money itself, many think of civil litigation. But restitution can come into play during criminal proceedings as well. If you are convicted of a criminal …

A bill that has advanced through the Florida House of Representatives has recently faced significant backlash throughout its entire process. HB 1557, under the name Parental Rights in Education Bill, or more commonly referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, has been led by a Republican committee and was officially signed into law by Governor DeSantis on March 28, …

There are multiple reasons why a judge may allow a resentencing phase for a criminal case. This can include the prosecutor initiating resentencing, new evidence or legal developments, or changes in sentencing laws. One Florida inmate, however, is attempting to request a resentencing of his death penalty case based on a promise made to the victim’s mother. This page will …

A recent video of University of Miami (UM) students has gone viral after depicting an alleged hazing incident. The video took place on UM’s campus and showed several students chugging milk and then spitting it back up onto another student in the trash can. While not technically a violent incident, the conduct is still being investigated by the university as …

A bill recently introduced to Florida legislators could change the requirements for detaining a defendant until their trial. The Senate bill would allow hearsay statements from an alleged victim when a judge is determining whether a defendant should be released or detained until their trial. This page will cover the details of the bill and what will change in terms …

Drug charges carry severe implications in Panama City. From unlawful possession to drug trafficking, Florida law encompasses a spectrum of drug-related crimes that are each met with lasting repercussions. Depending on the drug and its quantity found in a person’s possession, a drug crime defendant in Bay County could be facing high-cost fines and decades behind bars. While the consequences …

Nearly five years after the disappearance of Iyana Sawyer, a trial for the missing person-turned-murder-case took place in September 2023. The 16-year-old was reported missing while she was five months pregnant, with the father later being revealed as her uncle by marriage. Sawyer’s uncle was accused of killing the teenager out of fear of their secretive relationship and pregnancy becoming …

We’ve previously covered details from the Mark Jones case in Florida, an inmate serving life in prison after being sentenced through Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender law (PRR), also referred to as the “Two-Strikes” law. Jones’ story is now being highlighted in a new documentary from Frontline, The Marshall Project, and Firelight Media. The documentary’s goal is to shed light on …

We previously covered the details surrounding the child pornography case of retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna’s son, Jalen Kitna. The former UF athlete was arrested in November 2022 after being accused of possessing and distributing child pornography. The most recent update in the case comes from a plea hearing that took place last Wednesday. Kitna accepted a plea deal that …