Black men in Florida and across the United States have good reason for concern when facing sentencing in a criminal case. A study by the U.S. Sentencing Commission has shown that in many cases, Black men receive longer sentences than those of white men convicted of the same or similar crimes. On average, the study found that the sentences of Black men are 19.1 percent longer than those of white males with similar convictions when examining sentencing data collected between 2012 and 2016.
Understanding your administrative suspension after your DUI
The courts consider driving under the influence to be a very serious crime. As such, individuals who face DUI charges stand to lose their driving rights.
Florida police arrest 16, charge 20 with drug dealing
Sarasota police announced that 20 individuals have been charged with dealing drugs as part of an undercover investigation known as Operation Corner Stone. Of those charged, 16 have been arrested so far, and police are still looking for the other four.
Florida man charged with drunk driving and child neglect
A 37-year-old Florida man has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and child neglect after allegedly driving more than 100 mph while intoxicated, and with his three children in the car. After being taken into custody and booked, the man was taken to a detention facility in Pinellas County. His bond has been set at $10,500, according to media reports.
Tiger Woods prepares to enter DUI diversion program
On Oct. 24, it was reported that Tiger Woods was preparing to enter a diversion program in Florida designed for those accused of driving while intoxicated by intending to plead guilty in court on Oct. 27. According to authorities, the program that the 41-year-old pro golfer was scheduled to attend had less than 1 percent of participants reoffend after completing it.
Study shows racial disparity in plea bargains
Some nonwhite defendants in Florida may be under more pressure to accept a plea deal and might receive less favorable terms than white defendants. According to a study that looked at misdemeanor cases in Wisconsin, the likelihood that white people will have a misdemeanor dropped, dismissed or reduced is 74 percent higher than it is for black people.
