Category: Blog

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman draws attention to Florida’s new House Bill 351, effective July 1, 2025. This legislation creates a criminal offense, a second-degree misdemeanor, for driving either 50+ MPH over the speed limit or at 100+ MPH in a manner that endangers others, even absent a collision. Basic Provisions of HB 351 […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — In the wake of a devastating and preventable tragedy, Ronald S. Chapman, P.A. speaks out about the high stakes surrounding House Bill 687, also known as “Trenton’s Law,” which seeks to increase penalties for repeat offenders of vehicular homicide (VH) and DUI manslaughter (DUIM). This important legislation, which takes effect on October 1, 2025, […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman emphasizes the gravity of Florida’s newly enacted House Bill 279, which took effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation imposes far-reaching consequences on those placing malicious or deceptive calls to 911, commonly known as “swatting,” when such actions result in serious injury or death. Under HB 279’s strict new measures: A […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman alerts Floridians to a major shift in state sentencing policy. Under House Bill 113, which takes effect on October 1, 2025, fleeing from law enforcement in a marked vehicle with sirens and lights activated is upgraded from a Level 4 to a Level 5 offense under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code, triggering harsher […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman underscores the impact of the Florida Supreme Court’s recent decision to amend Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191, as laid out in In Re: Amendments to Rule 3.191 (SC2022‑1123). These changes, which also affect Rule 3.134, took effect on July 1, 2025. New clock […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Experienced criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman urges heightened awareness of sweeping new Florida laws impacting animal cruelty cases. Effective October 1, 2025, Senate Bill 150 (Trooper’s Law) imposes mandatory third-degree felony charges for abandoning restrained animals during declared natural disasters, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal Defense Attorney Ron Chapman alerts Floridians to a significant change in state law that will take effect on October 1, 2025. Under Florida Senate Bill 1168 (SB 1168), the unlawful use of tracking devices in connection with violent or sexual crimes will be upgraded from a third-degree felony to […]

You knew you shouldn’t have driven that night. But now the flashing lights are behind you, and everything is moving fast. You’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, and one of the first questions running through your mind is this: is your license suspended immediately after a DUI, or do you still have time to […]

When you’re caught up in the criminal justice system in Florida, every court date, police report, and legal term can feel overwhelming. If you’ve been facing criminal charges in Palm Beach County or anywhere in South Florida, hearing the words “nolle prosequi” may have caught you by surprise. You might find yourself asking, what does […]

Maybe you found out during a background check. Maybe an officer showed up at your door. However you learned about it, seeing that there’s a warrant out in your name is a shock. Whether it stems from a missed court date, a misunderstanding, or a criminal investigation, it raises the same question, how long does […]