photo by Tina Bucuvalas

Miami criminal attorney brings you 15 crazy Florida laws, one crazy law per post… 

Q: True or false?  In Miami Beach, persons face up to thirty days in jail for selling oranges on the sidewalk. 

A: True! 

Violation of this city ordinance is punishable by up to 30 days in jail,  and it includes not only orange sellers, but other fruit vendors, as well as hot dog vendors, or anyone else with an open-air stand.  Second time offenders could face up to a year of incarceration for this seemingly minor crime! 

The Miami Beach ordinance reads: 

“Sec. 70-5. Selling food from open-air stands prohibited. The sale, keeping, storage or the offering for sale of any food from open-air stands in the city is prohibited. Such sale, keeping, storage, or the offering for sale of any food from open-air stands in the city shall be made only within the confines of an enclosed building except in those areas as designated and approved by the city manager. (Code 1964, § 25-67.1)”

If you are facing charges for alleged criminal activity, whether under city, state, or federal law, you should seek out experienced and aggressive counsel. The law offices of Gilbert and Smallman handle all types of criminal cases in the Miami or Fort Lauderdale area.