Category: Press Releases

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 […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – As summer approaches, law enforcement agencies across Florida are expected to ramp up efforts to crack down on illegal street racing and stunt driving. These high-risk behaviors typically spike during the summer months, and under Florida’s expanded law, the consequences are now more severe than ever. Senate Bill 1764, which […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida –Florida’s social media restrictions for minors have been in effect since January 1, 2025, but the legal and practical questions are far from settled. Under the law, children under 14 are prohibited from having social media accounts altogether. For teens who are 14 or 15, platforms must obtain verified parental consent […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Florida's new law enhancing protections for first responders took effect earlier this year. Under Senate Bill 184, it is a second-degree misdemeanor to approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder after being warned to stay back. The restriction applies if the person’s intent is to impede, threaten, […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Earlier this year, Florida lawmakers debated whether to roll back several gun control measures passed after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Although some proposals advanced through the House, both were later withdrawn from consideration in the Senate, ending this session’s most aggressive efforts to scale […]

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – In 1841, John Augustus, a Boston bootmaker, posted bail for a man who would have otherwise received a jail sentence, took him under his wing, and later convinced the judge that the man was rehabilitated and should remain free. Little did Augustus realize that it was the beginning of an […]