The state of Florida aims to keep residents safe. If someone poses a threat to an individual, no contact orders can prevent further abuse or harassment. Even if a person has not caused physical harm to a victim, the law enforces these orders, and violating one can result in criminal consequences.
Recently, a Florida woman made headlines when she allegedly scammed an elderly veteran out of monies donated by charity. Though she has been charged with crimes related to the situation, she has not been convicted of anything. The details of the case are muddy, at best. The woman’s boyfriend was allegedly the one who attempted to scam the victim by asking for money on the woman’s behalf, and he has been charged as well.
Originally, the supposed victim stated that he freely gave the woman money because she was his friend and was in dire need of financial assistance. A no contact order was put into place to prevent the veteran from being harassed. The woman reached out from jail via phone and written letters to ask the man to drop the charges and clear up the confusion. Though she certainly made no effort to hide the fact that she had reached out to her friend, she faces more charges for violating a no contact order and is no longer allowed to use the phone in jail while she awaits her court date.
When a Florida resident is the subject of a no contact order, he or she may not be aware of the stipulations such an order carries. One may think no harm can come from reaching out to the other party to discuss a situation calmly and in a civil fashion, but violating no contact orders can land a person in hot water with the law. People in a similar situation might want to consult an attorney. Being accused of a crime is not an indication of guilt, and the right way to handle such accusations is to present a solid defense in court.