On August 17, 2020, the Hillsborough County Sheriff unveiled new body-worn cameras that will be worn and utilized by uniformed patrol Deputies as well as other units within the Department. Body worn cameras offer the potential to provide transparency in policing and are often utilized as evidence within criminal investigations against suspects, as well as investigations against law enforcement officers.

As a criminal defense attorney in practice for over sixteen years, I recall when no departments utilized body worn cameras. Instead, a certain limited number of patrol cars had dash cam footage that was not always reliable and did not always capture relevant portions of an interaction. Now, body worn cameras are much more common in jurisdictions around the country. They have proven very useful in the defense of certain criminal charges and generally portray the scene when utilized properly. However, there are downsides with body worn cameras that are not always considered. First, they do not capture everything and do not capture every angle or perspective. They obviously do not capture footage from before or after their activation either. Further, there are times when they malfunction or the footage is not secured for one reason or another. Finally, since they do not capture every perspective, the footage can be surprisingly misleading in certain circumstances. It should also be noted that body worn cameras provide footage that is often broadcast publicly for reasons that have little or nothing to do with criminal justice and instead are utilized to essentially entertain viewers. For more information regarding the impact of the Surveillance of Crime and Digital Evidence, click here.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff announced today that the cameras being employed will automatically activate when overhead lights are activated and also if weapons are drawn. Further, they will enable law enforcement to remotely view the camera footage live in order to assess situations and provide assistance. Standard operating procedures will be employed. The footage should be remotely uploaded to the cloud and by September of 2020 all uniform-patrol deputies should be utilizing the cameras as well as courthouse security deputies and other units.

Overall, the use of body worn cameras should provide for greater transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system. If you have questions regarding a Hillsborough County criminal case, or need to speak with TampaCriminal Attorney Ron Frey, please contact The Frey Law Firm, LLC today for a free initial consultation.

The Frey Law Firm’s primary office is near the courthouse in Tampa, Florida and Tampa Attorney Ron Frey represents clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in Hillsborough County, Tampa and beyond.

Searching for a Tampa Criminal Attorney? Tampa Criminal Lawyer Ron Frey established The Frey Law Firm, LLC in Tampa, Florida in order to serve his clients who are facing criminal charges in Hillsborough County, Tampa, and beyond.

Whether you are facing a felony or misdemeanor crime in Hillsborough County, the Middle District of Florida, or anywhere within the Tampa region, The Frey Law Firm and Tampa Attorney Ron Frey are prepared to defend you and ensure that your rights are secured.

If you are in need of a Tampa Criminal Lawyer, contact The Frey Law Firm today for a consultation with Attorney Frey. Stop guessing. Stop trying to solve the problem yourself. Take action and call to speak with man experienced Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney.

The Frey Law Firm is centrally located in downtown Tampa. The Frey Law Firm is near the courthouses of Tampa and within walking distance of all Tampa courthouses, including the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, (Hillsborough County) and The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.

Attorney Frey has over 16 years of experience dedicated to defending the freedoms and rights of his clients who are under criminal investigation or who have been charged with crimes in both State and Federal Courts. Attorney Frey is licensed in Ohio, North Carolina and Florida and The Frey Law Firm is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. If you are charged with a Computer Crime, or Internet Crime, please visit our Tampa Computer Crime website at InternetCrime.com for more information.

If you are under investigation by law enforcement, or have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense in state or federal court, please contact The Frey Law Firm today for a free initial consultation. Every case is important and we fight to ensure our clients rights are secured.

The Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) held its Welcome Back Membership Reception last evening at The Vault in downtown Tampa. It was a wonderful evening and event and demonstrated the strong collegiality and professionalism amongst the members of the Hillsborough Bar.

Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Ron Frey, The Frey Law Firm, is an active member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. The HCBA is a voluntary bar association in Tampa, Florida and has nearly 4,000 members consisting of judges, lawyers and other legal professionals. The HCBA’s stated mission is to promote respect for the law and the justice system through service to the legal profession and the community. The HCBA contributes greatly to both the Tampa legal community and the greater Tampa region.

The HCBA event at The Vault in downtown Tampa, Florida

HCBA at The Vault in Downtown Tampa – Membership Event

If you are in search of a Tampa Attorney, please do not hesitate to contact Attorney Ron Frey and The Frey Law Firm for a free initial consultation. Attorney Frey is an experienced criminal defense attorney who serves clients in Tampa, Florida and beyond. We look forward to speaking with you.

Tampa Criminal Attorney Ron Frey established The Frey Law Firm’s primary office in Tampa, Florida in order to better serve his clients charged with criminal offenses in Hillsborough County and beyond. If you are under investigation, or have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, please do not hesitate to contact our office for a free initial consultation with an experience Criminal Defense Attorney in Tampa, Florida.

If you have questions regarding a Tampa Computer Crime, or if you are under investigation and would like to speak with a Tampa Computer Lawyer or Tampa Internet Attorney, please contact our office or visit us on the web at our Internet Crime Attorney website, InternetCrime.com.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 15 unlicensed contractors (Contracting Without a License) as part of “Operation Bring Down the House.”

Pursuant to a press release issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a covert operation was launched for a period of three weeks wherein the Construction Fraud detectives contacted over 91 potential contractors from a variety of complaints and internet sources. Following the investigation, fifteen (15) unlicensed contractors were arrested. The charges included Contracting Without a License. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office named the investigation “Operation Bring Down the House.”

Unlicensed contracting is generally considered a fairly serious offense. As such, any allegation of Contracting Without a License should be taken seriously. Depending upon the variables and the specific statute charged, Contracting Without a License could constitute a Misdemeanor or Felony level criminal offense.

The press release from the Sheriff’s Office stressed the crucial role that the construction industry plays in the State of Florida. If you or someone you know has a question regarding issues pertaining to unlicensed contractors, or if you have been accused of engaging in conduct that violates the Florida Building Code or the charge of Contracting Without a License in Tampa, Florida, please do not hesitate to contact The Frey Law Firm for a free initial consultation.