Why do we see so many 'Florida Man' stories in the news? - I am Brian Leifert, a criminal defense attorney with the Law Offices of Leifert & Leifert, answering questions about criminal laws, the rights of the accused and access to public recor...

What percentage of Florida man stories are directly to housing insecurity or homelessness?

Quite a bit - that kind of stress causes desperate actions and impaired decision making.

What area do you practice in? What is your sense of the general community disposition towards the homeless?

Criminal Defense and Traffic Defense.

It seems like Florida Man is the result of many complex socioeconomic issues and policies that are unique to Florida. That being said. What's the most "Florida Man" you have come across in your work?

The original Florida Man is said to be the "Face Eating Cannibal" high on bath salts.

Why do you think that "Florida Man" because such a national phenomenon? Are there issues with the way our culture has made it into some sort of entertainment/a comical phenomenon?

The frequency of stories and the branding put in place by the media. I'm sure some of the intrigue relating to Florida in general stemmed from the turn of the century election controversy. Florida has since become a punching bag to many in the media: I think John Stewart (Daily Show) poked fun from time to time. I just read that Blue Oyster Cult just recently released a song entitled "Florida Man."

Do most of the "Florida man" stories involve the use of hard drugs?

I don't have the statistics on that but it's been said the "Florida Man" trend/branding began with a story about on individual high on bath salts and attempting to eat pedestrians on Miami Beach.

What do you think the pros and cons of freedom of information and sunshine laws are?

In theory it's supposed to keep government more honest and accountable. The downside is that an individual's lack of discretion can become a viral "sensation" in a matter of moments when they become the focus of the next "Florida Man" story. As an aside, Florida Man outnumbers Florida Woman 4:1.

Have you dealt with any unique 'Florida Man' cases?

Or have the cases you have handled mostly just been the same as other attorneys would handle in other states?

The lion's share of my cases aren't necessarily newsworthy form an entertainment standpoint. "Florida Man" is mostly a novelty that the media has picked up based on their ability to easily obtain the information and generate traffic.

Is there a culture at odds with the local laws, or is the environment conducive to a kind of tension between social norms and the laws themselves (a class thing, perhaps), or is there lead in the water supply?

I can’t work out why so many of the craziest stories come from Florida. Is it a matter of selection bias?

Access to the information (Government under Sunshine) and the novelty of "Florida Man."

Setting aside access to information laws, do you believe there are legitimate causes for the general assumption that Florida is a crazy place? It seems like a tropical texas to me. Wealth concentration in a few coastal locations and large swaths of right leaning populations with lower income and opportunities.

Certainly more opportunities to "play" in Florida based on the weather and tourism/vacation mindset.

Why are so many Florida Man cases so outrageous? Is it because the people arrested are addicted to drugs or high at the time of the incident?

It's become a media novelty. Switch the focus to any other state with similar population diversity, good weather and robust tourism and you would most likely see a similar result.

It's largely a function of the ease at which the stories can be reported. Similar stores abound in other jurisdictions/states bu the media would have to work harder to report on those stories.

Have you ever been to Florida?

and if so, why?

I have lived in Florida since 1982.

and are you unable to leave?

Early and often!!!

Any suggestions??

So counsel do tell why are there are so many 'Florida man' in the news. Is business booming due to the plethora of Floridian antics?

Low hanging fruit for the media based on the ease of access to the stories/information.

If I were to give you Reddit silver, would you call up my mom's husband who's a lawyer in Florida and prank him. Like say you're my brother's lawyer and he's in deep s***. It's up to you man how bad do you want that silver?

Reddit crypto?? lol