Florida Sees Massive 20-Year Drop in Violent Crime

October 21, 2020

By Rudenberg and Glasser, P.A.

According to figures from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, violent crimes like murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault have been decreasing in frequency every year since 1998. In the 20-year period between 1998 and 2018, only 3 years saw a positive increase in violent crime: 2006, 2007, and 2015. Those years saw extremely small increases, whereas most years saw significant decreases.

The absolute number of murders has largely remained the same since 1998, hovering between 900 and 1,100 in murders on an annual basis in Florida. However, in that same period, the population of our state increased by 5 million—which means there are far fewer murders per capita than any year on record.

The same is true for rape: while the population has increased, the number of rape cases has largely remained the same for 20 years. The number of aggravated assaults has actually gone down by 30,000—representing a massive decrease in both rate of occurrence and actual incidents.

As a result, the overall violent crime rate per 100,000 people has fallen from 906.1 (1998) to 393 (2018). That’s a 56 percent decrease in violent crime over time.

Arrest Rates Not Lowering at Same Rate

With the violent crime rate lowering so drastically between 1998 and 2018, you’d expect the arrest rate to drop by the same amount. After all, if there’s less crime occurring, the rate of arrest should also decrease. However, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the rate of arrest has only decreased by 49 percent over the same period.

It’s a seemingly small difference, but with the population increase, that’s thousands upon thousands of arrests making up a larger share of the alleged crimes occurring in Florida. As a result, there’s a higher likelihood of wrongful arrest, evidence mishandling, and inflated charges.

Florida is safer than ever. If you’ve been arrested for a violent crime, you deserve a defense team that’s resolved thousands of serious cases in the favor of the accused. Our Fort Lauderdale violent crime defense firm has the trial experience and relationships to fight for the best possible result on your behalf.

Call (954) 543-1788 today for a free case consultation. Let’s discuss your options.

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Our Victories

Not Guilty, Acquitted at Trial Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon

Outcome: Client was alleged to have used his vehicle to strike victim, and there was video of the incident which could have been interpreted to actually show the crime. The state was offering significant prison time before trial. By meticulous planning and strategic cross-examination to expose the motives and fabrications by the alleged victim, and an eyewitness in support of the alleged victim, Rudenberg & Glasser convinced a jury to acquit the client and avoid a mandatory long prison sentence.
Domestic Violence
Outcome: Rudenberg & Glasser went to trial and were able to show during cross-examination that the alleged victim was the aggressor and that the client acted in self-defense. The jury returned a not guilty verdict almost immediately following trial.
Domestic Violence With 911 Call and Pictures
Outcome: Rudenberg & Glasser took the case to trial after fleshing out inconsistencies in the alleged victim's account. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty and the client's unblemished record was preserved.
False Arrest

Outcome: Attorney Glasser was able to show with video footage that his client did not commit the alleged offense and furthermore, the police officer who ordered his arrest was negligent in his investigation and improperly supervised.

Read more about this story on the Sun Sentinel.
Probation Only Federal Conspiracy to Commit Mail & Wire Fraud

Outcome: Through compelling sentencing memorandum and passionate oral argument, Rudenberg & Glasser were able to convince the federal court judge to sentence their client to treatment for substance abuse, and no incarceration, even though the client had a lengthy criminal history and the Government was seeking prison time.
Felony DUI: Client was in an Accident and Left the Scene
Outcome: Rudenberg & Glasser filed a compelling motion to suppress evidence based on law enforcement's actions during the investigation. Rudenberg & Glasser were able to persuade the prosecutor prior to the motion to suppress hearing that the charge should be broken down from a felony to a misdemeanor and the client was offered probation instead of the previously sought prison sentence.
Final Injunction Hearing
Outcome: Client desperately needed to avoid a final injunction on his record. Rudenberg & Glasser defended him at the hearing and proved that the Petitioner was not in fear for her safety. The judge dismissed the injunction.
First-Degree Misdemeanor: Resisting Police Officer Without Violence
Outcome: Mr. Rudenberg presented evidence that the police officer’s version of events was not credible, and that accusations were made to justify excessive use of force by police officer. Jury returned a verdict of not guilty in less than five minutes.
First-Degree Misdemeanors: DUI & Possession of Cannabis
Outcome: Mr. Rudenberg won a motion arguing the DUI checkpoint was conducted in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and the Judge entered an order suppressing all evidence. Case was dropped by the State, and client avoided a mandatory conviction for DUI, as well as mandatory fines and license suspensions.
$250,000 Pre-Trial Personal Injury

Outcome: Client was injured by a malfunctioning door, requiring stitches and leaving a scar on client's knee. There were limited medical bills and no surgeries, but through extremely challenging and successful negotiations, Rudenberg & Glasser were able to secure a settlement of $250,000.

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