Halloween is an enjoyable holiday that brings fun for the whole family. Like many other holidays, however, it can also see an increase in crime, especially during the holiday weekend. To prepare for the surge in crime, authorities throughout Miami and Florida will be focusing on increased enforcement. Additionally, police will be on the lookout for crimes that commonly occur during and around Halloween.
Backed by decades of combined experience, our attorneys at Hager & Schwartz, P.A. understand how law enforcement works to increase arrests during holidays like Halloween. Commonly, we see a rise in the following charges during this time:
- DUI – Holidays are notorious for sharp increases in alcohol-related accidents and DUI arrests. With costume parties and more events, many people choose to celebrate with alcohol. Knowing this, law enforcement officers focus heavily on stopping and arresting impaired drivers through the use of saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and increased presence at locations and times known for alcohol-related incidents.
- Property Crimes – Statistics show a sharp rise in property crimes during Halloween. These include crimes such as theft, burglary, and vandalism. While these crimes are serious offenses of moral turpitude (meaning employers and others tend to view them distastefully), they can also become very serious felonies when the property involved is of significant value. Under Florida law, criminal mischief can include acts of graffiti and vandalism, and can result in felony charges when property damaged is values at more than $1,000.
- Juvenile Crimes – Halloween can be a night of mischief, and underage individuals often find themselves making poor choices. Common underage crimes include underage drinking, drug possession, DUI, and certain property crimes like vandalism. Because youth facing criminal charges can face serious, long-term consequences, parents can help protect their children by speaking with experienced defense lawyers immediately after an arrest.
Being arrested or charged with a crime is a serious matter, whether it occurs during a holiday or not. At Hager & Schwartz, P.A., our lawyers have represented numerous clients throughout the years who were arrested during holidays and periods of increased enforcement. As former prosecutors who have handled hundreds of these types of cases, we know how to effectively protect the rights, freedoms, and futures of our clients.
If you have been charged with a crime, or if you have a child facing allegations for a juvenile offense, give our Miami criminal defense attorneys a call as soon as possible to request an immediate consultation.