If you spend any time reading the news, you’re bound to come across a headline or two that starts with “Florida Man…” Yes, Florida is home to some of the kookiest criminals like the guy who tried to give an alligator beer to entice it to bite him or the one who was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend with a piece of fried chicken.
Florida isn’t the only state where seemly absurd crimes happen continuously, but it is one of few states with strong public record laws. Thanks to the Sunshine Laws, news reporters are able to get the scoop on just about anything that involves a police incident report.
According to the National Freedom of Information Coalition, “The Florida Sunshine Law, established in 1995, is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to the public records of government bodies in Florida. Public records include all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law to ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.”
Here are some of the most popular Florida Man headlines to make the news in 2019:
- January – Florida Man Chews Up Police Car Seat After Cocaine Arrest
- February – Florida Man Arrested for Allegedly Throwing Cookie at Girlfriend
- March – Florida Man in Spider-Man Mask Steals Bottles From Liquor Store
- April – Florida Man Charged with Disorderly Intoxication After Allegedly Shoveling Spaghetti into His Face and Threatening Employees
- May – Florida Man Arrested After Falling Asleep During Home Burglary
- June – Naked Florida Man Arrested After Urinating on Convenience Store Floor
- July – Florida Man Pretending to be a Cop Pulls Over Real Deputy
- August – Florida Man Arrested for Threatening Others with Nunchucks
- September – Florida Man Arrested After Stealing Uber Driver’s Vehicle Leaving Him Stranded on Interstate
- October – Florida Man Arrested for Cutting Brakes on Electric Scooters
If you or someone you know are a Florida Man who has been charged with a crime, your next move should be to find an experienced criminal defense attorney. Russell Spatz has been handling cases in Florida for over 30 years and is ready to help you get through the process involved with your case. Call him today at 305-442-0200.
References
“Florida FOIA Laws.” National Freedom of Information Coalition, https://www.nfoic.org/coalitions/state-foi-resources/florida-foia-laws.