Case of Jennifer Mee

Florida woman Jennifer Mee was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 2013 after being convicted of first degree murder. If you think she deserved to be locked up for life then you may like to think again once you read to details of Jennifer’s case which are:

Jennifer set up a date with a young man she got in touch with on Facebook but with the intention of robbing him. Her male companions carried out the mugging and it was during this process that the victim was fatally shot. Under Florida law, all participants in a fatal robbery are as equally guilty of murder as the one who pulled the trigger.

There are aspects of this crime which are wrong but the chief one is Jennifer being charged with first degree murder.

Why is this wrong?

Here is your answer:

Jennifer did not ever intend to kill the victim nor ever wanted him to perish.

This means that Jennifer is not guilty of murder but of manslaughter according to the dictionary.

There are some horrific murder cases about so how does her case compare with others in Florida?

Jennifer did not actually kill the victim yet has received the same sentence as America’s most violent killers.

There have been other contributing or rather mitigating factors which have been put forth in Jennifer’s defence and one of them is that she was beaten by an ex-boyfriend and had this and that done to her when she was young.

I have told Jennifer in my correspondence with her that the people who had done that stuff to her are not responsible for the choices she has made.

She did take that onboard. (hopefully)

The case received a lot of public attention due to Jennifer’s notoriety. As a teenager she was suffering from an incurable bout of hiccups, appearing on national TV. In this and other high-profile cases all kinds of emotions get stirred up but the judge is supposed to rise above all of that. It appears in this case he did not.

Apart from her sentence of life without parole which is grossly unjust it is impossible to see how Jennifer could have received a fair trial with the media circus reporting on this case.

The judge is supposed to rise above all the emotion and hype but is it possible that te judge in this case did not?

I have written to US politicians about all of this and never received a single reply.

Divorcing parents can choose between three ways to calculate overnights for Florida child support payments, because overnights play such a big factor in figuring child support.

3 Ways to Count Overnights

The three ways to count up overnights for Florida support totals have both strong and weak points. Some methods are faster, while others are more accurate.

Here are the three ways to count overnights:

1. Estimating–Parents can estimate the number of overnights the non-custodial parent will have with the children each year. This method may work if parents have a simple custody schedule, such as every other weekend and alternating holidays. The problem with this method is that it is not very accurate and may accidentally leave out overnights, such as vacation time.
2. Manual count–Parents can look at a paper calendar and physically count up the number of overnights in a year. Keeping non-traditional overnights in mind, such as holidays or special events, will improve accuracy. Manually counting increases the risk of human error and it is still easy to overlook visits.
3. Custody software–Parents can create a custody schedule on the computer and instantly get an accurate count of overnights for each parent. Any time the schedule changes, the program recalculates total overnights for instant updates.

Calculating Overnights in Florida Cases

Regardless of which counting method parents use, all the overnights must be added together, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacations and other special events.

To get the parenting time percentage required by the state guidelines, Florida parents must take the total overnights, then divide that number by 365. The answer represents the parenting time percentage for the year. For example, if a Florida non-residential parent hosts the children for 125 overnights, this would be 34 percent of the time annually.

Understanding Overnights and Child Support

There are three factors in the Florida child support formula: income, number of children and overnights.

Overnight totals aren’t a factor in sole physical custody. This means that the children spend fewer than 73 overnights with the non-custodial parent. No child support credit is given in sole physical custody cases.

Overnight totals are a big part of joint physical custody. It allows the non-residential parent to receive a support adjustment based on the number of overnights, from 74 to 182. The more overnights he or she has with the children, the greater the adjustment and the lower the amount.

Child support amounts in Florida are set by the court to ensure that the children of divorcing parents will always be provided for financially. In Florida, several factors contribute to the child support calculations, such as income and overnights.

Rich in historical roots with an array of museums and historic sites, South Georgia and Central Florida’s panhandle offers a glimpse into the past where the rolling hills, lakes, forests, and nearby cost allows one to step out into nature for some of the South’s most distinguishing assets. Right in the center of this is the state’s capital where Tallahassee offers hundreds of miles of trails, gardens, city parks, and state parks for any outdoor enthusiast.

The trails in and around Tallahassee range from short, easy to long, and more difficult with each trail having its own unique characteristics. Just a short distance apart on the East side of Tallahassee is home to three different parks, ideal for hiking, biking, picnics, and a children’s playground. The Lafayette Heritage Trailhead starts in the center of Lafayette Park where the trail to the East curves around the banks of Piney Z Lake to a levee, which crosses the lake to the JR Alford Greenway. The return trail traverses the backside of the Piney Z community. The loop towards the West connects to Tom Brown Park where the trail has steep inclines and descents making it more challenging. The two loops make up a 5.9-mile hike through some of Tallahassee’s most beautiful woodlands.

More than 800 acres of hardwoods, pastures, a freshwater swamp, and a lake make up the JR Alford Greenway where over seventeen miles of multiuse trails will satisfy every type of nature lover. Unlike the Lafayette Trail, the trails here are relatively flat where the biggest incline is the wooden boardwalk covered bridge over the railroad tracks, which connects the two parks. Tom Brown Park is Tallahassee’s favorite and most used park with large open fields, tennis courts, and ball fields. In addition, the park has several unpaved nature trail loops, a paved 1.5-mile trail which stretches from the northwest corner to the Southeast corner, and a shared use biking trail. The trails combine for just over 5-miles of a pleasurable hike through the woodlands.

Along the edges of the city are several parks with picnic tables and other outdoor activities for one’s enjoyment. On the South side of Tallahassee are the Munson and Twilight trails, which wind their way through the Apalachicola National forest. The Munson Trail loop covers 8.3-miles wrapping around a lake while the Twilight Trail covers 10-miles. Combine the two trails using the connector trails for a full day of outdoor adventure. Along the Eastern border of Tallahassee is the Miccosukee Greenway trail. The trails four loops account for 7-miles of hiking across flat and open land to hilly where the trail twists its way through oak woods with diverse scenery. This greenway winds its way through protected living treasures with some homes dating back to the late 1800’s.

For the person, which is short on time, one will find several parks right on the edge of down town Tallahassee where the trails are much shorter. The 3-miles of loop trails at San Luis Mission Park is a great place to escape into the lightly forested woods where the beautiful Lake Esther sits in the middle. A classic park for Tallahassee is Lake Ella where the.7-mile sidewalk, which encircles the lake, provides benches for some leisure time where one can just take in the beautiful scenery or admire the wildlife of ducks and geese. The Fern Trail in Governor’s Park is a short 1.8-mile loop, which winds its way through a forest of hardwood and pines where some fall colors are on display. The half-mile one-way Kohl’s Trail will combine the Fern Trail to the 1-mile Bog Path loop, which twists and turns its way along a narrow path crossing several streams through a thick wet forest, leaving one with the impression of being in a rain forest. Sitting amidst seven surrounding neighborhoods and covering 72 acres on the Northeast side of Tallahassee is A.J. Henry Park, one of Tallahassee’s newest parks. The park has a wooden walkway overlooking a lake, picnic areas, playground, open play areas, and hiking trails. The two loop trails are a short 2-miles combined; however, with the hillside and crossing through the ravine makes for a little more of a challenging walk.

Tallahassee not only has trails for one’s enjoyment, there are museums and gardens around the city as well and is the home to a mid-1900 English style Tudor home, where a short path leads to a 3.5-acre site in a whimsy lush forest where the home has sweeping garden views. The beauty of the large oak trees and labyrinths will surly give the impression one is far away from the city wondering through an oasis fairytale. Just a few blocks from downtown are six acres of a lush Florida garden filled with camellias, azaleas, palms and other native flora giving the park an ambience not found anywhere else in the city. The history of Dorothy B. Oven Park dates back to the mid-1800 when Congress awarded the property to General Marquis de Lafayette in 1834. The main home on the property is a classic manor-style home with rare magnolia paneling, wood floors, and antique furniture, ideal for weddings and receptions. Near downtown Tallahassee is the Goodwood Museum and Gardens, the originally home to a 1,600 acre cotton plantation dating back to the early 1800’s. Today the property is on the National Register of Historic Places and covers some 20 acres of century old live oaks and gardens where the main home features the original family furnishings, glassware, and art. Around the main home are 20 other structures dating from 1835 to 1925, the original swimming pool and an outdoor skating rink.

Just a short drive from Tallahassee families can experience state parks, state forests, and a National Refuge, which provide a variety of outdoor activities for one’s enjoyment. Just West of Tallahassee is Torreya State Park, named after the rare Torreya tree, which only grows on the bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River. Some of Florida’s finest fall colors are on display throughout the hardwood forest and the high bluffs, plateaus, and deep ravines makes this park one of the most scenic in Florida. The park has two loop trails where the River Bluff loop is about seven miles traversing through ravines and streams where Logan’s Bluff towers some 300-feet above the Apalachicola River. A.5-mile connector trail leads to a 5-mile loop through a forest of hardwoods, longleaf pines, dogwood, and the queen Magnolia. The park is also the home of a beautiful Southern mansion built in 1849 known as the Gregory House.

One of Florida’s most hidden treasures is just South of Tallahassee at the Wakulla Springs State Park, designated as a National Natural Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is home to one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, where the 70-degree waters will surely refresh one on even the hottest summer days. The history of this park dates back thousands of years from early Native Americans to early filmmakers which discovered the primeval quality of the park’s swamps and wild life were a perfect fit for movies like Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941) and Creatures from the Black Lagoon (1954). Located between the springhead and trail head is the historic lodge, an element of Old Florida where the elegance of the lodge stands as it did in the early 19th century. The main parks trails covering just over six miles leads deep into the swamp forest through southern hardwood and maple-cypress habitats where several state and national champion trees, the largest of their species, mingle with other forest giants.

Just over an hour’s drive to the North near Blakely Georgia is Kolomoki Mounds State Park, home of the largest and oldest Woodland Indian site in the Southeastern United States dating back to the era of 350 to 750 AD. Standing at 57-feet high, the Temple Mound is Georgia’s oldest mound, surrounded by smaller mounds used for burial and ceremonials. In addition, to the campground, playground, picnic areas, and beautiful lakes the park has three hiking trails covering 5.8 miles. The Trillium loop trail traverses four natural communities as the trail winds its way through a hardwood forest along the shore of Lake Kolomiki crossing several spring-fed streams. As the trail climbs and descends the different communities, become apparent passing through native bamboo, southern magnolia, loblolly, and spruce pines. Starting at Lake Yohola dam the Spruce Pine loop trail traverses rugged terrain through a forest of dogwood, water oak, spruce pine, and magnolias, which provides a natural habitat for turkey, deer, and bobcats. Throughout the White Oak loop trail are gulley’s and ravines fed by underground springs which provided an abundance of water for survival and where the wood from this forest supplied the timber needed to build thatched huts for housing. Portions of this trail circles the mounds and passes through part of the village area.

West of Tallahassee is nearly 20,000 acres of forestland where a variety of tree species makes up Lake Talquin State Forest. The largest community of the forest is the upland pines, which sits amidst the rolling forest hills where a wealth of plant and animal diversity thrive. The Bear Creek and Fort Braden Tracts provides some excellent examples of the slope and ravine forest communities. The 492-acre Bear Creek Tract offers three trails totaling 5.5 miles of the most rugged trails in the region through wetlands, sand hills, and dramatic ravines where the section along Bear Creek has steep inclines and narrow footing. Whereas the Fort Braden Tract highlights a range of ecosystems while traversing three loop trails totally 9-miles with stunning views of Lake Talquin.

Devastated in 2018 by Hurricane Michael, The Florida Caverns State Park still provides visitors a rare glimpse into the past. In the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps hand chiseled out the passageways between the cave rooms allowing visitors to see 1,000’s of years in the making. The narrow and sometimes low passageways leads through twelve fragile slippery and wet cave rooms where stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies are still growing into a visual array of mystifying formations.

Located a short drive South of Tallahassee is the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, which offers a variety of outdoor activities for any outdoor enthusiast. The refuge consists of pine flat woods, palm hammocks, marshes, and cypress-lined ponds along the coast, and extends well inland. Scattered along the coast one will find small beaches, and tidal creeks fed by rivers. In addition, the refuge is home to the second oldest lighthouse in the state, constructed in 1842 and has become one of the most photographed landmarks on the Gulf coast. The trails in the refuge wind their way through oak hammocks, slash pines, and salt marsh providing some excellent opportunities for photographing migratory birds.

As a follower of and writer about the criminal law, this author often reports on strange criminal law stories from the State of Florida. Here are a few of my favorite vintage stories I would like to share with a wider world.

Orange County. Florida: Veteran’s Day weekend, 2010, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department became a national laughingstock when it was reported that sheriff deputies and members of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation carried out a series of warrantless raids against local Orlando barbershops that made history for arresting 35 people on misdemeanor charges of “barbering without a license,” after having spent several months investigating the matter. A records check revealed that in the last ten years only three people in the entire state of Florida had been sent to jail on such charges. In the instant cases, many of the warrantless sweeps entailed officers swarming the barbershops that had children inside and putting the barbers in handcuffs and “perp walking” them to police vehicles. At least one felony arrest was made when one of the raids netted a barber with an unlicensed handgun. We learn further that all the barbershops were in the African American and Hispanic neighborhoods.

This startling report makes one wonder whether those neighborhoods are known for being hotbeds of “criminal barbering?”

New Port Richey, Florida: This strange story is also from 2010. As many of you know, “Four Loko” is a caffeinated alcoholic drink. A New Port Richey man drank four bottles and then went on a naked rampage. Police report that the 21-year-old man ran barefooted out of the back of his home to a house a few blocks away, smashed a sliding glass door and ransacked the home. He next took off his clothes, defecated on the floor and ripped the oven door off its hinges, according to Pasco County deputies. At another house a woman arrived home to find the naked man smeared with blood, sleeping on her couch. She called 911. According to a report, when deputies arrived, the man allegedly said: “Why am I being arrested? I didn’t steal anything.” He was charged with two counts of burglary.

The headline to this little story could have read: “Loko Gone Loco.” It is probably best to stay away from this dangerous product.

Hernando County Jail, Florida: 2011. Strange things happen in jail. A jail inmate in Hernando County didn’t have enough honeybuns to pay off a gambling debt and was paid off with a punch in the face. The inmate admitted he lost a football bet with a fellow prisoner. The loser of the bet said he went to bet winner’s cell to give him the bear claws he owed him, but he was short four honeybuns. The bet winner was not happy about being stiffed on the bet and punched the loser so hard that he had to be hospitalized. Yes, the winner of the bet and the puncher. was arrested on a battery charge.

If this had been casino gambling the bet loser could have wagered: I’ll see your one bear claw and raise you four honeybuns…

There is a small village or you might say a crossroads in southwestern Florida called Nocatee. It is not to be confused with the newly built master-planned community of the same name in northeast Florida. The original Nocatee is located in DeSoto County in southwest Florida. It is a Seminole Indian word that means, “What is it?” It is an interesting place to visit although you will not find a place to stay for the night. There are no motels with distinct styles of deluxe guest rooms and suites. It’s defiantly a day tripper when visiting Nocatee. A Mediterranean atmosphere with tropical pools and lush grounds will not be found in this village. Nocatee offers more of a Florida cracker type ambience. There are no beaches, but you could bring your bathing suit and swim at the county owned boat ramp down at nearby Peace River.

If you are interested in playing golf while visiting Nocatee, you can’t. Golfing will have to take place up the road in Arcadia which is the county seat. Or you could go eight miles south of Nocatee to Sunny Breeze Golf Club.

If shopping is your thing, you are in luck. Just five miles up the road in Arcadia again there are several stores to choose from. And you can venture down Arcadia’s old Oak Street in the antique district.

On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley passed directly through Nocatee with winds which persisted for an hour, damaging most of the structures in the burg and causing some to be completely destroyed. You can still find many buildings with the blue FEMA tarps still protecting the roofs.

Actually, the most interesting thing about Nocatee is not what is there now but what use to be there. I know of one person who said he was from Nocatee. The King Lumber Company founded in the late 1800’s was the main industry and the largest employer in DeSoto County. It eventually became the Nocatee-Manatee Crate Company until it closed in 1951. The First settler was the Carlton family. Baptist and Methodist churches were founded there in 1890. There was once a stump plant which employed many people until it close in the 1980s.

DeSoto County was initially a much bigger county and later subdivided to create five smaller counties in 1921. There was an election to figure out where the DeSoto County seat should be. Nocatee lost by one vote. Nocatee has never had much population to speak of. It’s pretty much maintained the same size since 1900. It’s never been an actual incorporated town.

Sadly, Nocatee doesn’t have much of a tourist draw but there is an interesting Civil War history in the county. For the paleontologist the county lies in what is known as bone valley. It’s a phosphate rich area where many mastodon bones can be found.

For more information about the village of Nocatee, Florida visit DeSoto County Florida online. Also check out Howard Melton’s book, “Foot Prints & Landmarks which gives the interesting history of Nocatee and DeSoto County. You may also visit Arcadia’s antique district online. Better yet, take the opportunity and come visit us.

Quality, well sited affordable homes in Boynton Beach, Florida are the targets of potential buyers, investors, tenants and property managers, and homes in this area are just as good as the designs produced anywhere in the world because they are built to specification, quality and aesthetics.

If you are a great family looking for a home to buy, then Boynton, Florida is the right place because we’ve got a lovely, friendly environment to raise kids and the homes there are so comfortable for family size, with patios and beautiful landscape and gardening around homes in Boynton Beach, Florida.

The city is known for great schools for you kids and wards but then without a home, no young star can strive exceptionally that’s why the city has many homes with state of the art facilities, for sale, so that young stars can feel comfortable while they explore top rated schools in Boynton, Florida where beautiful homes for sale come at quite attractive rates.

Boynton is home of great home builders, Computer Aided Design specialists and top notch architects who have acclimatized the environment and have developed a number of beautiful edifices of high and low profile standard homes for sale.

Most homes in Boynton, Florida for sale have been properly treated with termite control and have adopted the integrated pest control approach making it so viable for inhabitants and other external parties, to buy and enjoy the pest free home for sale in Boynton Beach, Florida. Investors are also guaranteed safety in Boynton Beach, Florida as they opt to invest in the affordable and sophisticated homes for sale in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Built with marble and fine stones, homes in Boynton Beach, Florida, home of beauty and esthetics, are durable, and capable of withstanding high pressure and storms. It is a serene place to live and stay on vacation owing to its rich environmental attributes and affordable homes for sale where visitors may decide to live instead of lodging.

Like other places have a policy of safety first, from all vices including fire and that is why, most homes for sale in Boynton are stuffed with fire extinguishers for timely intervention of fire outbreaks should there be emergencies.

The standard of living has never been reported to be outrageous making Florida the home of all homes where there are unique homes for sale and a single buy of any of the homes will undoubtedly convince the buyer who will stop at nothing in introducing more friends and associates to Boynton Beach, Florida, obviously, for more buys of quality, affordable homes that are for sale.

Relocating in the Midst of a Divorce?

When a husband and wife decide to divorce, but plan to reside in the same geographic area, it is fairly easy for a court to address the issue of custody by awarding equal, or substantial, timesharing.

However, this issue can become quite complex (and contentious) when one of the spouses wants to move a long distance away to a different part of Florida, or a different state entirely, and desire to take their child, or children, with them. When this situation arises, there is a specific statutory provision that governs how to award custody when one of the parents wants to relocate elsewhere.

Overview

When you or your soon-to-be-ex-spouse wants to move 50 or more miles away for 60 days or longer, the Florida relocation statute is triggered. The Florida relocation statute (i.e. Section 61.13001 of the Florida Statutes) governs parental relocation with a child. According to Section 61.13001 of the Florida Statutes, “relocation” is considered to be a change in the residence of a parent or other person from their principle place of residence (I) at the time the last order was entered establishing or modifying timesharing, or (ii) at the time the last pending action that established or modified timesharing.

Relocation Statute

The relocation statute was enacted by the Florida legislature in order prevent a party to a divorce making the unilateral decision to relocate. The party seeking to relocate to a different area with their child needs to file a Notice of Intent to Relocate with the court. The other party in the divorce proceeding has the right to file an objection.

If you or your soon-to-be-ex-spouse want to relocate to a different area, you need to present evidence to the court that proves, by a preponderance of the evidence, that relocating to another part of the state or to a different state is in the best interest of the child. If you, or your soon-to-be-ex-wife, can meet this burden of proof, the burden will then shift to the parent who is staying put. They will need to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the potential relocation is not in the best interest of their child. Once this argument is conveyed to the court, the judge will analyze the facts and enter a decision.

Relocating to a different part of Florida, or a different state, with your child without complying with the requirements of the relocation statute can result in the court levying harsh penalties. For example, the relocating party could be:

• Held in contempt of court

• Ordered to compel the return of the child

• Subject to significant modifications to the court’s time-sharing schedule

Have Questions about Relocation Rights? Contact an Experienced Custody Lawyer in Miami

If you or your soon-to-be-ex-spouse want to move to a different part of Florida or a different state, it is imperative to adhere to the specific protocols and requirements set forth in the relocation statute. One mistake or oversight could significantly impact your ability to relocate. Hence, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced and reputable custody lawyer in Miami for the best outcome for all parties involved.

For a variety of reasons car insurance policies include substantial discounts for; high liability limits, paying in advance, and having prior coverage. Policyholders that qualify, or select these options, display behavior that has been identified as profitable for insurance companies. In addition to the favorable behavior, there are technical details why premiums can be reduced for these features. Even though a DUI driver is mandated to take high limits, pay in full, and maintain an active policy, via Florida FR44 insurance, the associated policy discounts still apply.

Discounts for high liability limits come about for two main reasons. First, most policyholders that decide on high limits are careful and responsible consumers, and they drive their car the same way. Second, liability rates per thousand of coverage, decreases as limits are increased. The diminishing rates are due to administration costs being the same for each policy, and claim payouts which are often small amounts do not access the higher limits.

A discount for full payment up front is mainly due to investment income. Paying in advance allows the company to earn investment income from your payment before it is fully earned at policy expiration. Companies can also extend the savings from not having to provide interval billings or cancellation notices for nonpayment. Also, there are few fraudsters in this group because cheaters typically pay the lowest amount to start a policy.

Companies usually provide a discount to their policies that renew, and many include a vanishing deductible or accident forgiveness program too. Renewal policies are less costly to the company than acquiring a new one because of reduced marketing and underwriting expenses. In order to motivate drivers to switch out from the competition, companies will generally offer discounts to policyholders from most any company. Anyone who maintains prior uninterrupted coverage will enjoy discounted rates whether from their current company or a new one.

Many consumers are shocked to find out they can obtain a lot more coverage for a lot less money when discounts are applied. Here is an actual quote to illustrate just how substantial these discounts can be. (Quote factors: 6 month policy, married couple, age 30, homeowners in Miami, Florida, average credit, one at fault accident, 2004 Honda Accord LX (liability only), 2008 Lincoln Navigator full coverage (500 Deductible); With one company a $3,500 quote with 10/20/10 limits, becomes $2,273 after prior coverage and full payment discounts are applied. At another company 10/20/10 is $3,068, and after discounts $2,400. At 100/300/50 limits the first company cost $4,155, and after discounts $2,130, while the other is $3,806, and after discounts $2,395.

How much does insurance cost depends a great deal upon what discounts are applied. It is hard to believe that ten times more liability limits can be purchased for the same risk, from the same company, for less money when discounts are applied. From the actual quote above a 100/300/50 policy including discounts cost $1,370 less than 10/20/10 limits from the same exact company when discounts are applied! Insurance companies make no distinction between drivers voluntarily choosing these options and those compelled to do so. DUI convicted drivers in Florida are required to maintain FR44 insurance with 100/300/50 liability that is paid in full and Florida FR44 insurance companies include the key discounts for them.

The Florida dictionary according to lawmakers

The Florida lawmakers seem to be reading a different dictionary from the rest of us if you examine the Jennifer Mee case.

Jennifer was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after she was party to a fatal robbery.

At no stage did she ever intend to kill the victim.

So we come to our first word, “Premeditated.”

What does that word mean?

“Planned in advance,” “a premeditated attack.”

In Jennifer’s case, robbery was planned in advance but not the victim.

I understand that first and second degree murder is a killing which was premeditated.

Then how did Jennifer get to be charged with first degree murder?

Next word is “manslaughter.”

At school the teacher told us the difference between murder and manslaughter is murder is when you killed someone intentionally while manslaughter is when you accidentally killed someone.

So if a drunk driver kills someone is it murder or manslaughter?

What is the difference between someone who deliberately drives a car into a crowd and someone dies and someone else who makes an error of judgement such as texting someone while driving and has an accident as a result?

“intent.”

It is their intent which determines whether they have committed murder or manslaughter.

The dictionary describes intent as this, “If you are intent on doing something you are determined to do it.”

There is no doubt whatsoever that Jennifer never ever intended to kill the victim.

So how can she be guilty of murder?

I don’t know what is worse, being convicted of first degree murder or being sentenced without the possibility of parole.

This was a high profile case because of Jennifer’s notoriety as the “Hiccup Girl.” It polarised more than a community, it made television headlines beyond Florida, so I wonder whether Jennifer would have received the same sentence if this was just a run of the mill murder case in America.

Judges are supposed to rise above emotions during court cases but I cannot honestly say whether in this case the judge did or didn’t rise about the emotion of the case or what motivated him or her to hand down such a sentence but I am interested to hear the justification for it.

The bottom line is Jennifer should not have been charged with first degree murder in the first place, but then to sentence her to life without parole is a sentence which rational thinking people would consider inhumane.

Florida is one of the most popular holiday spots in the country, welcoming millions of tourists every year. While there are several reasonable accommodation options available throughout the state, there are some good reasons to acquire your own vacation house in Florida.

Excellent Climate

Florida is the Sunshine State and not for nothing. It boasts of warm weather for most of the year, which means people from all over the US flock to its beaches for some sunshine. You can enjoy lots of natural beauty if you have a winter home in Florida. In fact, some famous Americans such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison have had a winter home in the state. Miami Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida where thousands of tourists like to spend the winter months, away from the chill and snow in the rest of the country.

Peace of mind

Peace of mind is necessary if you are planning a vacation, especially a long one. If you own a second home here in Florida, you will have convenient access to the warm weather and beautiful beaches all year. You can drop in any time and be sure of having a comfortable place to stay. Having your own home in Florida is also beneficial because you get the freedom to set it up according to your specific needs and lifestyle. You can come in and leave any time of the day without feeling guilty of bothering the owners.

Make your vacation home an investment

The best thing about having your own vacation home in Florida is that if you can use it as an investment. Florida is amongst the most popular holiday destinations in the country and is full of visitors all year. Tourists do not only need beaches and the sunshine, they need a nice, safe place to stay. If you choose to rent out your property to holidaymakers, you can be sure of full occupancy throughout the year. There are several agents in Florida who will market your property easily to visitors looking for a nice place to lodge.

Rent and tax savings

Acquiring your own holiday home is a sensible decision if you are a frequent visitor to Florida. It will save you the hassle of dealing with agents at the last-minute and feeling anxious about getting a poor bargain on holiday lodging. What’s more, you will no longer have to worry about rental expenses on holiday. You will also save on taxes because you can claim the amount of annual depreciation as a deduction against your taxable rental income, just the way loans work. Thus, you can continue to invest in the upkeep and renovation of your property to keep it up with the times.

A good vacation home is a smart decision because of the convenience and other monetary benefits it brings. Having your own Florida home will allow you to spend your holidays without the stress of paying rent. What’s more, you will even be able to extend your stay for as long as you want.