If you’re planning on traveling to Tampa, Florida, it would be beneficial to understand what crimes can get you arrested. Tampa Bay is one of the busiest port cities in North America and is coincidentally one of the most popular tourist places with its thriving nightlife and beautiful beaches.
Being such a popular destination has led to an array of criminal acts transpiring throughout the year, often the case with popular destinations. It’s important to understand that committing a crime while visiting or holidaying in Tampa can still lead to severe repercussions. By understanding the most common things that get travelers arrested, you will know what to avoid doing.
Common Crimes That Travellers Get Arrested for In Tampa
With Tampa being such a popular tourist destination, it’s common for many different crimes to occur. Many instances can get a traveler arrested in Tampa. If you should ever find yourself caught on the wrong end of the law while in Tampa, you can get help by contacting a Tampa criminal lawyer. A lawyer will be able to assist you in getting back onto the right side of the law.
Drug Crimes in Tampa Florida
Visitors to Tampa, Florida, often get caught on drug charges, as Florida is one of the strictest states in terms of drug laws. On average, people arrested and convicted of drug-related crimes spend over two years in prison. That’s a long time, especially if you have to use a drug such as marijuana for medicinal purposes, which is why it’s important to know what drug-related offenses can get you arrested in Tampa.
If you happen to be arrested, your charge’s severity will depend on the type of drug found on your person and the amount you have in your possession. It will also depend on if you have a prior record.
Unfortunately, many travelers make the mistake of thinking that the amount that they have in their possession is small enough only to classify as a misdemeanor. Only the possession of a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor. All other drug-related charges are felonies and can earn you up to 30 years in prison in Florida and a fine of up to $10,000. There are a few predominant drug-related crimes that can get you arrested, and they include the following:
- The cultivation and or the sale of marijuana
- Being in possession of methamphetamine
- Trafficking in cocaine and having cocaine on your person or in your car or living residence
- Fraudulently obtaining prescription drugs and or trafficking in prescription medications
- Having on your person opioids, benzodiazepines, or amphetamines without a valid prescription
Drug-related crimes are a severe offense in Tampa, and if you are caught to be in possession and or distributing, you will be arrested as many travelers are every year.
DUI and DWI Crimes in Tampa, Florida
In the state of Florida, driving under the influence (DUI) is commonly referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI). This charge encompasses alcohol with a higher than 0.08% blood alcohol level, chemical substances, and controlled substance offenses.
Minors under 21 years old in particular should be aware when visiting Tampa, as a blood alcohol level over 0.02% or higher can get them arrested.
Driving under the influence is when a person is found to have been operating a motor vehicle while impaired. In Tampa, travelers discovered to be driving under the influence can face serious consequences in the form of charges and fines. There are numerous different penalties associated with DUI charges in Tampa:
- Cash fines starting at $500
- Community service
- Jail time of six months or more
- Losing your license for upwards of a year
- Attend a DUI school
Notably, two different kinds of DUI charges could be brought against you if you are caught and arrested for driving under the influence. There are misdemeanor and felony DUI charges.
Depending on the severity and if there were other injured parties, you could face up to 30 years in prison. That’s why you should take care not to drive while impaired by any sort of substance while visiting Tampa.
In essence, we have just spoken of two of the most common crimes that travelers get arrested for when visiting Tampa. There are many more than what we’ve discussed here. It’s essential to consider your actions as many instances could result in you being arrested.
