Repeal of Cohabitation Law

It is no longer a crime for unmarried men and women to live together in Florida. This is just one of seven criminal justice bills passed by the Florida legislature in July.

Prior to July 1, it was a second degree misdemeanor for a man and woman to "lewdly and lasciviously" associate and cohabit together. Violators could be jailed for up to 60 days and fined up to $500.

Other criminal justice bills passed by the Florida legislature in 2016 include:

Alternate sentencing: Defendants who choose to participate in an alternative sentencing program now can avoid jail time for technical violations of probation.

Mandatory sentences: Legislators removed aggravated assault with a firearm from the list of crimes subject to 20-year sentence under "10-20-Life" law. Death penalty: Florida now requires at least 10 of 12 jurors to agree in order to recommend the death sentence.

Body cameras: Law enforcement agencies that use body cameras now must have policies and proper training for their use.

Rape kits: Law enforcement agencies now must submit rape kits to a statewide crime lab within 30 days of a reported sexual assault. Testing of the kits must be completed within 120 by crime labs.

Juvenile detention: Counties and the state will now split juvenile detention costs 50-50.

Aaron Delgado & Associates is a criminal defense law firm with offices in Daytona Beach and DeLand. The firm offers a free initial consultation if you have been accused of a crime.

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