Facts:
My clients own a demolition company and often have to use the dump to discard the waste after a job. On this particular day, they dumped the waste on what appeared to be an abandoned property. However, this property was owned by an individual who called law enforcement to report the illegal dumping. A few months later, they were contacted and met with a Detective from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) who advised they would be forwarding the report to the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office who would then make a filing decision. A month after that, warrants were issued for my client’s for Commercial Dumping, a third-degree felony. Once they became aware of the warrants, they called me.
The Case:
Prior to the warrants being issued, my clients had already cleaned the waste from the property, provided the receipt from the dump for the waste to the Detective with HCSO, and paid for all damages directly to the alleged victim. This is exactly what I would have advised them to do because I knew the prosecutor would want to know the alleged victim was made whole.
I then spoke with the alleged victim myself who advised no one had called him for a statement prior to the filing of these charges. He expressed that he had no desire to see my clients prosecuted considering they had already made it right with him. Next, I sent over proof of everything my clients had done to make this right and encouraged the prosecutor to speak with their victim and respect his wishes. I asked for the charges to be dismissed.
The Result:
The prosecutor agreed and the charges against my clients were dismissed. Considering these were felony charges, this is a great result, as a felony conviction can be devastating. My clients never even had to appear in court and they are also eligible to expunge this from their records.
- Can a DUI Be Proven Without a Breath or Blood Test in Florida? - September 22, 2026
- Florida’s 2026 New Battery Penalties Explained - August 14, 2026
- How a Pretrial Release Violation Impacts You in Florida - July 10, 2026
The content on this blog is intended for educational purposes only and provides general information, not legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided herein.
This blog does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you require legal assistance or advice, please consult with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.