June 4, 2008

Naked Photos Get Teens in Trouble on Cell Phones and Internet

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Teenagers are committing crimes every day on their cell phones and the Internet in Jacksonville Florida and other communities around the United States. Because of these acts, some teens may need a criminal attorney to defend them while others may consider hiring a civil attorney to pursue damages for the heinous acts of posted nude photographs on the web and e mail the photographs to others. Posting photographs of a teen's boyfriend, girlfriend, or (in many instances) the ex has landed many in hot water. You can read more about the poor judgment and criminal acts of teens at Naked Photos and E Mail Get Teens in Trouble. It should emphasized that the children are the victims of this crime. What may seem humorous to one teen is really a nightmare for others. As parents and guardians of our children, we should do everything we can to monitor and stop this kind of behavior.

May 20, 2008

Meddling My Space Mom Is Indicted for Conspiracy and Other Criminal Charges

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Crimes are committed on a computer everyday in Florida and other States. While the computer can be a great and useful tool for personal and business purposes, the computer can also be a weapon. A Missouri mom was recently indicted for her role in a My Space scheme that ultimately led to the unfortunate suicide death of a teenager. Linda Deutsch with the Associated Press reported on the recent events at the Time Magazine web site. You can read more about this case at Mom Charged in My Space Suicide.

Parents as well as children can cause a great deal of problems without even leaving the house. I remember a line from the Spiderman movies, "With great power . . . comes great responsibility." This quote should be kept in mind when using the computer and internet.

May 2, 2008

Brave Teen's Text Message Leads to Arrest of Robbers - The Power of the Text Message

Mobile phones can be very useful in protecting children. In Columbus Ohio, a 13 year old stayed home from school because she was sick.

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She heard intruders break into her home. The teen hid in her bed and text messaged her mother about the intruders who were ransacking the house. The mother called 911 and raced home. When the mother got home, she rammed her vehicle in the robber's vehicle parked in the driveway. Police arrived and arrested the criminals.

The use of text message was particularly helpful since the teen had to remain quiet while the intruders were in the house. You can read more about this story at Teen Hides Under Covers and Foils Burglary with Text Message.

April 18, 2008

Principal and Police Use Cell Phone to Bust a Student for Marijuana Possession

A recent news story showed the dangers of text messaging. You never know who you are texting.

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Florida teens and parents alike are becoming text message addicts and demons. This apparently harmless activity can turn into trouble for teens as well as parents. In Concord New Hampshire, a student thought he was texting his friend about getting a "bag" or marijuana. In fact, the student was texting the principal who had confiscated the phone from the friend. The principal must have been fairly good at text messaging since the text message session went on for some time until the student agreed to meet the principal near the school for the drug deal. Police will use the text message as evidence for the criminal case. Whether you are using text messaging or e mails, be careful as to what you write and who you write to. Your next text message may be read by a curious parent, spouse, principal, police, or someone else that may cause you some problems. You can read more about the drug deal gone bad for the student at Principal Uses Cell Phone To Lure Drug Suspect To Arrest.

April 12, 2008

Florida Attorney General Proposes Law that Would Allow for $150,000 Per Incident for Victims of Child Pornography

New legislation has been proposed by Florida's Attorney General that would provide for a minimum of $150,000 in civil damages against individuals who download and distribute images of child's sexual abuse.

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The Exploited Children’s Rights Act will make Florida the first state to allow victims of Florida-based child pornography to seek civil remedies against those who download images of that child’s sexual abuse. The legislation will also allow the Attorney General’s Office to pursue these cases on behalf of the victims at their request. You can read more about the bill and the reasons for its proposal at the Florida Attorney General Website.

April 3, 2008

Automatic E Mail Alerts to Track Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched a new automatic e mail notification system to track sexual offenders and predators.

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You can go to www.floridaoffenderalert.com to sign up for this valuable service. I did it myself by registering my e mail address. I then received an e mail with a link to complete the registration process. I inputed my address and now will receive an e mail any time that a Florida registered sexual offender or predator moves within 5 miles of my home. I will certainly alert my friends and neighbors of such e mails. You can also go to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement web site to research specific sexual predators and offenders. You can even find out if a certain e mail address or instant messenger address belongs to a Florida sexual predator or offender. Prevention and safety often times avoid the need to retain the services of a Florida personal injury lawyer. You can read more about the highlights of the program at the Jacksonville Florida Times Union newspaper web site at
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Web Site Offers Alerts About Sex Offenders.

March 14, 2008

Online Jacksonville Florida Predator Gets 5 Years

Many of you have seen the Dateline NBC Shows - "To Catch a Predator".

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I was curious to find out how much time the typical predator caught in the sting would get. A Jacksonville man, Matthew Chitty (age 30), pleaded guilty of multiple counts of using a computer to solicit sex from a child. Mr. Chitty believed he was online chatting with a 14 year old, who was actually an undercover officer. Mr. Chitty was sentenced to 5 years probation and will have to register as a sex offender.

The computer is a great tool (but also a danger) to our children. It is important for every parent to monitor the child's computer use because of the Matthew Chittys of this world. Jacksonville Man Sentenced 5 Years for Soliciting A Child for Sex.

March 1, 2008

Mother of Teenage Suicide Victim Pushes for Internet Harassment Laws

The Governor of Missouri, Matt Blount, formed a task force in response to the death of TIna Meier, a 13 year old girl who killed herself after being harassed and taunted by other teenagers and the mother of a former teenage friend. TIna's mother urged the task force to recommend criminalizing the behavior.

Free speech in this county must be balanced with criminal laws and harassment. While the mother who participated in the harassment activities can be sued in civil court, it does not appear that there will be criminal charges filed on this matter. You can read more about this story at a Fox New Web Site - MySpace Hoax Leads to Teen's Suicide.

To discuss a Defamation case involving Florida please Contact a Florida Defamation Lawyer.

February 12, 2008

Jacksonville Florida Parents Look to Ensure Kids Are Safe Online

In Jacksonville, Florida, a local middle school, Fletcher Middle School, has been in the news since semi nude and inappropriate photographs of students showed up on the Internet on myspace and possible other sites. No arrests have been made as of yet regarding these postings and photographs. Parents should pay close attention to their children's internet use. More information about the situation with the Fletcher students and parents techniques to protect their children from overuse of computers and being the victim of a predator can be read at Parents Look to Ensure Kids Are Safe Online.

January 23, 2008

Florida Child Abuse or Elder Abuse: How to Report It

The Florida Department of Children and Families is charged with the responsibility of fielding and investigating reports of child abuse / elder abuse in the State of Florida. The State of Florida has several good web resources for learning more about the process of reporting incidents of abuse and neglect.

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Definitions of Child, Vulnerable Adult, Harm, Abuse, Exploitation and other key terms can be read at the Florida Department of Children and Families Web Site.

The hotline telephone number is 1-800-96-ABUSE (22873). You can read more details about the reporting process at the Florida Department of Children and Families Web Site.

If you have any questions about civil lawsuits and damages for incidents of child abuse or elder abuse against third parties including day care centers, churches, schools, nursing homes, or other entities, contact a Florida personal injury attorney or Florida child injury lawyer.

January 22, 2008

Starke, Florida Police Arrest Jacksonville Man With Sexual Contact with a Minor

A Jacksonville Florida 19 year old man was arrested and charged with having sex with a minor between the ages of 12 and 15 in Starke Florida The Defendant, Malique R. Gamble, stated that he met the minor online and thought she was older. Mr. Gamble was caught in bed with the minor and the relatives called the police.

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This case shows the dangers of the internet. Mr. Gamble met the minor online and claims that he was informed that she was older than she actually was. The case is similar to the Catch a Predator Shows on television. Unfortunately, Mr. Gamble, unlike the predators on television, made it into bed with the minor. It is very important for parents in Florida and other States to supervise and monitor internet activity to the best of their ability. Speak to your children. Make sure that they understand the dangers of internet that is filled with thousands and thousands of predators, sexual offenders, and criminals. You can read more about this Florida matter at the Gainesville Sun newspaper web site at Jacksonville Florida Man Accused of Sexual Contact with a Minor.

January 18, 2008

Jacksonville Florida Mom Finds Photos of Local Middle School on MySpace

A concerned Mother found photos of Jacksonville, Florida Fletcher Middle School children nude, in their underwear, and in bathing suits on a My Space page.

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The Mother called local Jacksonville authorities about the discovery. Police officers have a possible suspect under investigation for these photos. In response to the reporting of this incident, Fletcher Middle School will be conducting an internet safety program about these issues. Parents, teachers, and children need to be educated on the risks and dangerous of the Internet. Sexual offenders and predators are on line every day looking for their next opportunity and victim. In addition, other children may view or use the information and photos posted on line for improper and offensive purposes as well. As parents, ask questions of your children, set rules for computer use, and yes - retain the ability to use all computers in your own and the ability to supervise and monitor your child's use of the computer. Report: Florida Mother Discovers Pornographic Photos of Local Schoolchildren on My Space has more details about this story.

January 20, 2007

Family Accuses Jacksonville Florida Pastor of Sending Lewd Text Messages

Darrell Gilyard, 45, head of the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, is out on a voluntary paid leave of absence from Shiloh. A family is accusing him of sending lewd text messages to a young girl. Reports from the Florida Times Union newspaper did not name the child or her age but she appears to be a minor. This is not the first time that Darrell Giyard's leadership has been questioned He had problems with a Texas church in 1991 when the congregation learned that he was having sex with one of the congregants. Pastor Gilyard is a charismatic person who has bad luck, a bad habit, or a little bit of both. Shiloh is a growing church and this kind of news cannot be good for the church or the congregants. There may be some liability for the acts of the Pastor but more facts would have to be known to make this determination. More details of this matter can be read at the Florida Times Union Web site - Mom Accuses Jacksonville Pastor of Sending Lewd Text to Daughter.

If your child has been the victim of child abuse or sexual abuse by any adult, please contact David Wolf - Attorney - Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. to find out more about your rights and causes of action for the abuse.