We have finally made it to the holiday season; A time of year that is filled with cheer, loved ones, and plenty of gifts, food, and festivities. However, despite the many positives that come during this time of year, it is not immune to misfortune. In fact, many crimes are committed more frequently during the holiday season as people take advantage of others or use poor judgment.
For this blog post, our Criminal Law Attorneys in Jacksonville wanted to share some information about the most common crimes that occur during the holidays.
DUI – The holiday season is full of festive parties with family, friends, and even coworkers, most of which involve alcohol. Although people have more options to get home safely than ever before (ride shares and public transit), some people still choose to drive while under the influence. During this time of year, law enforcement personnel tend to be more active on the roads observing for intoxicated or impaired drivers. Even if you do not feel intoxicated you could be above the legal limit, which will put yourself and others in danger if you decide to get behind the wheel. It is in your best interest to ride with a designated driver or jump in a taxi, registered rideshare vehicle, or bus. The $15 ride home is a lot better than a DUI fine, lost license, and possible jail time.
Shoplifting – During the holiday season, retailers report a higher frequency of shoplifting and attempted shoplifting. Despite the holiday season’s sales and bargains, many people resort to shoplifting. During this time of year, stores are armed with a heavier security presence to catch thieves in the act – some stores even take extra precautions by checking bags before customers leave.
Identity theft – A lot of identity theft occurs during the holidays. How? Well, people do not only shop in brick-and-mortar stores anymore, they shop online. When shopping on the internet, a retailer will ask a person for a lot of personal and financial information. Identity thieves find ways to hack into computer systems and embed malicious software that can steal personal and “protected” information. These identity thieves can go after the public through their own computers or hack retailers’ databases. It is a good idea to scan your personal computer often for viruses/spyware, and aim to purchase gifts from reputable, trusted sites only.
Hire a Jacksonville Criminal Law Attorney
Even the best of us make mistakes, especially if we let our guard down or feel pressured during the holiday season. If you are facing a criminal charge, you will need quality representation from a Jacksonville Criminal Law Attorney. The law offices of Harris Guidi Rosner in Jacksonville is here to help.
At Harris Guidi Rosner, P.A., we have a team of Criminal Defense Lawyers who have the experience and knowledge to help you in your time of need. Many of Criminal Law Attorneys have spent years at the State Attorney’s Office, where they prosecuted cases from minor misdemeanors to major crimes.
At Harris Guidi Rosner, P.A., we do not charge for our initial consultation on any criminal matter. We take the opportunity during our initial consultation to discuss your current situation, answer any questions you may have, and discuss how we can help with representation moving through the legal process.
Call us within 24 hours of being arrested. You will be taken before a judge at a court hearing called the “first appearance.” At the hearing, the judge will determine if there is probable cause for your arrest and may set a bond on your charges. If the judge finds probable cause, it is important to have an attorney present to represent you to ensure that the bond is reasonable. We will strive to ensure that you can continue to remain free during the pendency of your case.
To let the Harris Guidi Rosner attorneys assist you with your criminal charges or for more information, call 904-777-7777 or click our Jacksonville Criminal Law page. Visit our Jacksonville Workers Criminal Law Attorney page to learn about our team. We have many years of experience in criminal law. We have offices in Jacksonville, Florida.
