In recent news, a 19-year-old man accused of shooting a Lakeland police officer turned himself in to Lakeland authorities on Monday, December 19, according to MySuncoast.com. He is being charged with attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer. This incident raises concerns about the rate of violent crimes being committed by young people. According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, more and more young people are committing vicious crimes.
The study shows an increase in the number of people, who are 23 years old and younger, committing violent crimes. A similar study, conducted 44 years ago, concluded that approximately 20 percent of young people are arrested for a criminal offense by the age of 23. The most recent study concludes that over 30 percent of 23 year olds have been arrested.
On the Florida Suncoast, the involvement of young people in violent crime is an area of growing concern. According to the Captain of the Sarasota Police Department, the number of violent crime offenders that are younger than 23 has been on the rise. It is not simply being arrested for a crime that has law enforcement concerned, but the types of crimes these young people are being arrested for. Between 2007 and 2010, more than 300 juveniles were arrested for murder in Florida, although when comparing yearly numbers, the actual amount of juvenile crime arrests has gone down statewide. The number of juvenile crimes in Sarasota County continues to cause concern, however.
If you have been charged with a violent crime in Florida, especially if you are a juvenile, you would be well advised to retain the services of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. At Musca Law, our aggressive Sarasota County juvenile crime defense lawyers can protect your legal rights and ensure the best outcome of your case. To learn more, contact us for a confidential consultation at (888) 484-5057.