Criminal Investigations

No one wants to be subject to a criminal investigation, regardless of whether they committed the crime for which they are being investigated. Sometimes people think that they can help themselves or the people they love by hiding certain pieces of potential evidence from law enforcement. Whether that evidence is a muddy pair of shoes or a wire cord, if law enforcement becomes aware that key evidence has gone missing, their investigation may shift to target that missing evidence. Hiding evidence is known as evidence tampering.  

In Florida, evidence tampering is charged under Fl. Stat. Sec. 918.13 and could subject you to a third-degree felony. Basically, for evidence tampering to occur, you must first be aware of a law enforcement investigation that is ongoing or that is going to be started. Then, knowing of that investigation, you must tamper with (alter, conceal, destroy, or remove) anything (record, document, or other thing) to impair the investigation. Evidence tampering can also apply when someone manufactures evidence, meaning evidence that is knowingly false.  

It is sad to see people with genuinely good intentions trying to protect themselves or their loved ones in a way that subjects them to criminal prosecution. If you or anyone you love is being targeted by law enforcement, or you think they will be, you should contact a criminal defense attorney to discuss the situation before making any decisions about what to do or not do with potential evidence.  

Attorney Brent Lightfoot

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