Official 2012 Florida crime statistics show lowest rate in 42 years
Despite population growth, the statewide 2012 crime rate in Florida was the lowest since 1971 when the state started compiling them.
June 08, 2013
Official 2012 Florida crime statistics show lowest rate in 42 yearsArticle provided by Law Office of Casey Bryant, P.A.
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In May 2013, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued its 2012 Annual Uniform Crime Report, known as the UCR, with startling results. Despite population growth, the statewide crime rate in 2012 was the lowest since 1971 when the agency started compiling them.
Even in the short one-year time period from 2011 to 2012, the state crime rate decreased 6.5 percent; and the total number of crimes dropped 5.7 percent, by an incredible 43,536 criminal acts fewer.
Despite a slight annual statewide increase in two violent crimes(murder 2.4 percent and forcible sex offenses 2.7 percent), the overall crime rate decline was helped by large drops in the numbers of robbery, burglary and theft. Nonviolent crime was down overall by 5.9 percent.
Also with a declining annual state rate: domestic violence, firearm crimes, aggravated assault, larceny and car theft.
Northeast Florida, Jacksonville and Duval County
The situation in Northeast Florida seems to be following the trend with all but one county's crime rate dropping between 2011 and 2012. For example, Duval County's overall crime rate dropped by 4.9 percent in that year's time.
Unfortunately, reflecting the statewide murder-rate trend, News4Jax.com reports that murdernumbers went up in Duval County's largest city Jacksonville, from 76 in 2011 to 94 in 2012.
Stepped-up prosecution
Florida Gov. Rick Scott attributes the improved crime rate to the work of law enforcement and prosecutors. Interestingly, despite the overall decline in the crime rate, the number of arrests statewide was up 0.8 percent in 2012 from 2011. According to Central Florida News 13, that means an arrest somewhere in the state approximately every 35 seconds.
And since State Attorney Angela Corey has took over in 2009 as chief prosecutor for the Fourth Judicial District (Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties), the district has risen from 20th place to second in its annual number of convictions. According to WOKV.com, she believes in "aggressive prosecution, filing and trying the right cases, and getting caught up on the buildup of cases."
Vigorous criminal defense
Everyone wants a safer state and the crime-rate improvement is good for the community and for tourists. However, aggressive police work and prosecution of crime must still respect the legal and constitutional rights of defendants under suspicion.
Anyone in Florida who suspects that he or she is being investigated by law enforcement authorities, or who has been arrested or charged with a crime, should speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to begin to build a legal defense, negotiate with authorities and explore all the defendant' s legal options. The ramifications of a criminal conviction in the state can be literally life changing and may include prison time, fines, a criminal record and in extreme cases, the death penalty.