Tampa, Florida Criminal Defense & Family Law Blog

Every time there is a news story about an inappropriate teacher-student relationship or incident, there is a little bit of "shock value" associated with the coverage. No parent expects that their children will be the victims of sexual assault when they go off to school each day, but the news stories on these incidents bear watching to see what the end result actually is.

According to a recent report, a middle-school teacher in Tampa is facing a litany of charges based on allegations of "inappropriate relationships" with two students. The teacher, a 31-year-old man who teaches algebra to eighth-graders, was recently arrested on the charges. The charges alleged sexual assault, molestation, "lewd or lascivious conduct" and displaying obscene material to a minor.

If there's one topic besides immigration than tends to lead to contentious political debate in Florida and throughout the nation, it's firearms, more specifically, whether or not people should be allowed to buy, sell and use guns as private citizens. Whether you are a gun enthusiast who loves to work on firearms skills as a personal hobby or to develop self-defense skills, are an avid hunter, or carry firearms in your line of work, there are things to know about gun laws to avoid legal problems. 

Especially if you plan to sell a gun, you want to make sure you do so in accordance with existing Florida firearms regulations. If you're wondering whether it's legal to sell a firearm out of your home, perhaps to a neighbor or friend, the answer depends on several factors. Overlooking one or more buying/selling rules may land you in a heap of legal trouble. If that happens, it's critical that you know where to seek support.  

The Hlllsborough County Sheriff's Department, which serves the Tampa area, arrested one of its own deputies recently as part of a routine boating patrol off the coast. The deputy was detained on charges of boating under the influence of alcohol and posted a $500 bail. He has also been suspended from his job without pay until the sheriff completes an internal investigation.

According to reports, another deputy initiated a stop for the purpose of checking the boat for proper safety equipment. The deputy who stands accused reportedly did not slow down right away and instead swapped places with a female on the boat.

Assault and battery charges are serious criminal charges. In many situations, these two charges will go hand in hand so it is important for accused individuals to understand what they are. Assault refers to when one party places another party in fear of immediate harm. Battery occurs when one party physically strikes another party.

Assault and battery charges are often lumped together in many states so it is helpful to know the laws in your state. The two have distinct legal distinctions and elements, however, so it is also helpful to know what those are. Generally, assault places the victim in fear of harm and can include threats of harm, while battery charges include causing actual harm to the victims. Assault can also be defined as an attempted battery. The elements of a battery include the intentional touching of the victim that is harmful or offensive without the consent of the victim.