Food Tampering Attorneys
Although messing with someone else’s food might seem completely innocent, it is, in fact, a serious crime in the state of Florida. When a person tampers with someone else’s food, they can face charges that result in severe penalties that have the potential to change their entire future.
Most of the time, food tampering is a lapse of judgment that causes you to make a bad decision. At The Umansky Law Firm, we believe that your life shouldn’t be defined by a single mistake. If you’re facing charges for food tampering in Florida and are not sure what to do next, we’re here for you. Our team of attorneys provides a reliable defense that can improve your current circumstances.
What is Food Tampering?
Playing a silly prank on a friend by putting a little extra salt on their French fries isn’t enough to land you in jail for food tampering. To be charged with food tampering, a person must intentionally introduce a foreign substance to a person’s food or another consumer product with the intent to harm them. While licking and spitting in a person’s food is enough to be considered tampering, most tampering cases involve chemicals or other harmful materials.
In addition to adding a harmful substance to food, swapping the labels on consumer products or altering the packaging to harm someone else is also considered tampering. In Florida, consumer products include:
- Food
- Drugs
- Qualified devices
- Cosmetics
Furthermore, individuals who knowingly falsely inform law enforcement of tampering can also face serious charges. It’s important to understand that tampering with food or consumer products is not something to mess around with. Oftentimes, tampering will lead to consequences such as:
- Cuts, burns, and disfigurement
- Illness
- Pain and suffering
- Brain damage
- Physical disability
- …and more
Harmful actions such as these result in serious consequences that are difficult to recover from.
Serious Penalties are Possible for Tampering with Food in Florida
Florida’s Anti-Tampering Food Act is outlined in Florida Statute 501.001. If a person is convicted of food tampering it’s a Second Degree Felony. Second Degree Felonies result in penalties that include:
- Up to 15 years incarceration
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Up to 15 years probation
It’s important to understand that the federal government also has laws against food tampering. However, Florida laws are more strict and result in more serious consequences. If you’re charged with food tampering or involved in a food tampering case, it’s in your best interest to seek advice from a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible.
Viable Defense Strategies for Food Tampering Charges
Food tampering cases are unique and involve many levels of the government. If tampering is suspected on a large scale, the FDA will enforce regulations on the consumer product in question to protect the general public. Due to the fact that many tampering cases are high-profile, an experienced defense attorney is essential.
At The Umansky Law Firm, we work tirelessly to get to know the details surrounding your case and make it our mission to develop a viable defense strategy. The most common defense strategies for food tampering cases include:
- Accidental tampering
- Wrong person
- Manufacturer error
- Equipment error
- …and more
If you’re searching for a criminal defense attorney for your food tampering case, it’s important to discuss their methods for developing a viable defense strategy.
Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney For Your Case
In Orlando, The Umansky Law Firm is a trusted source of criminal defense lawyers with experience handling food tampering cases. With more than 100 years of combined experience, our team has won thousands of cases for individuals across Central Florida. We use our knowledge of the criminal process to develop defense strategies that stand up against the toughest prosecutions. Recently, The Umansky Law Firm was named among Florida’s Legal Elite and as a member of The Florida Super Lawyers.
To schedule a free consultation, call our office at 407-228-3838 or contact us online today. It’s never too late.
