Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

I was in Nassau County, FL working a Girls Gone Wild event as a cameraman. I am a 22 year-old male. We didn't know that Nassau has a no sexually oriented business law. I walked around and filmed about 6 minutes of footage which girls did flash, and a guy licked his friends exposed breast for a second. I never once asked them to expose themselves, I just documented. They just did because it's GGW. Shortly after the club was raided by undercover cops inside taking 16 people to jail including another cameraman, the bar owner, patrons, and 7 girls that flashed. Everyone was of age. They confiscated my camera and tape as evidence and are charging us with 847.011 (which is Obscenity Promote which is a First Degree Misdemeanor) and County Nudity Ordinance (which is civil). This is my first time ever being arrested or anything negative at all. I spent 15 hours in Jail and bailed at on $1004 bail ($502 per charge) paid in full up front without a bonds man. My court date is Nov 9th and I was wondering what you think my sentence and fines would be given no priors or anything else on record. I am hoping it would be dropped, but what could I be looking at? Also, they reviewed my tape while writing up my charges, but I'm afraid because I was the one taping that they may add charges come my court date. Is that possible or am I only looking at what I currently have against me? Thank you for your time.


Asked on 10/26/09, 9:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

Let me start by saying something you already know: ignorance of the law is no excuse. Now that said, you need to sit down with an attorney. The reason is that you may be able to fight this on constitutional grounds. It's not something that can be answered here without writing a book. Talk to an attorney today and discuss your options with them. Good luck.

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Answered on 11/01/09, 11:58 am


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