Broward County Defense Attorneys Discuss New Florida Laws

On Friday, October 1, over two dozen new Florida laws went into effect. These range from laws on serious issues like pain clinics and cyber threats to more routine items about donating to charity while renewing a driver’s license or car registration.

In regards to pain clinics and so-called “pill mills” that liberally dispense pain medication, the new law states that pain clinics may only prescribe enough pain pills for three days and must register with the state, among other requirements. Failure to do so could result in felony charges against the owners and doctors. The law is aimed at reining illegal drug activity at the hundreds of pain clinics in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

A new law also addresses the growing problem of cyber threats. Previously, the law covered people who send letters threatening to kill or injure someone, and legislators have expanded that statute to include electronic communications, including email. Those who send threats via email, either anonymously or under their own name, can be convicted of a second-degree felony.

Other laws impose bigger fines on street racers and make it a third-degree felony to misrepresent oneself as a member of the military.

Source: 32 new Florida laws take effect today, Palm Beach Post, October 1, 2010
Contact a South Florida criminal defense attorney at Leifert Law if you have been arrested and charged with a crime.