Disposing of Lighted Substances in Florida: What You Need to Know
Disposing of lighted substances in Florida is a serious offense, even if you never intended to cause harm. The law is clear that tossing a lit cigarette, match, or any glowing material from your car window—or anywhere else—can land you in legal trouble. The act itself, not your intention, is what matters under Florida law.
It doesn’t matter that you didn’t mean to start a forest fire when you flicked that cigarette out the car window. Disposing of Lighted Substances is classified as a General Intent Crime in Florida, meaning that it doesn’t matter even if there was no fire—the point is that you could have started one.
What is Disposing of Lighted Substances?
Prosecutors don’t need to prove you meant to start a fire. The law focuses on the risk your action creates. Even if no fire actually starts, you can still be charged if your actions could have caused one. Specifically, the law prohibits “throwing, dropping, or disposing of lighted matches, cigarettes, cigars, ashes, flaming or glowing substances, or any material that may or does cause a wildfire.”
This offense is classified as a First-Degree Misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face up to one year in jail, a year of probation, and a $1,000 fine. The penalties are steep because of the potential ijnury to people, and harm to property and the environment.
Penalties for Disposing of Lighted Substances
The penalty for disposing of lighted substances in Florida can be high. Here’s what you could be facing:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to 1 year of probation
- A fine of up to $1,000
These penalties reflect how seriously Florida takes the risk of wildfires and property damage. Even a small act like flicking a cigarette can have major legal consequences.
How an Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
If you’re charged with disposing of lighted substances, you need an experienced and aggressive Orlando criminal defense lawyer on your side. Getting the best defense lawyer you can is important because the stakes are high and the law is strict about intent.
A skilled Orlando criminal defense attorney can:
- Review your case for any procedural errors by law enforcement
- File pretrial motions to suppress evidence if your rights were violated
- Argue for dismissal if the prosecution’s case is weak
- Defend you vigorously in court to protect your rights and minimize penalties
Having an attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. They know Florida law and know how to challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
Why You Shouldn’t Go to Court Alone
Facing any criminal charge without a lawyer is risky. An Orlando criminal defense attorney will guide you through every step, from pretrial motions to courtroom defense, ensuring your rights are protected at all times.
If you’ve been accused of disposing of lighted substances or any other crime, don’t leave your future to chance. Talk to an experienced and aggressive Orlando criminal defense attorney at the Rivas Law Firm.
Defense against Criminal Charges
Being charged with any crime is serious business. It can be risky to appear in court without a lawyer because there can be devastating consequences. A criminal defense attorney can make pretrial motions to have certain evidence suppressed (if the police violated procedure) and make motions to dismiss the case altogether if the prosecution has a weak case. If the case goes to court, an experienced criminal defense lawyer will fight hard to protect your rights.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you’ll want the best criminal defense attorney you can get. Consider the skilled and aggressive Orlando Criminal Defense Attorneys at Rivas Law. Call 407-644-2466 so we can work through your legal problems and you can get on with your life.
