Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Refusing To Consent To A DUI Test
Getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol can be quite an ordeal. Not only do you face fines and jail time upon conviction, depending on your history, but you may also lose your license for a period of time, which can affect your ability to work in some cases…. Read More »
Supreme Court Declares Florida’s Death Penalty Sentencing System Unconstitutional
On January 12, 2016, the United States Supreme Court declared Florida’s death sentencing system unconstitutional. However, whether the declaration of the system’s unconstitutionality affects people convicted and sentenced to death before this decision is a matter of Florida law. For the moment, it is unclear what will happen to the men and women currently… Read More »
Clearwater Police Department Will Not Use Body Cameras
The increase in media coverage of police shootings of civilians has sparked national outrage and calls for changes in policing to ensure that members of law enforcement are held accountable for their actions. One such measure was the call for more police officers across the county to be fitted with body cameras that would… Read More »
Penalty Enhancements And Hate Crimes In Florida
Crime takes place daily for a variety of reasons and motives. There are some instances in which a person committing a crime can be charged differently than he would ordinarily be charged for the particular crime because of a characteristic of the victim. This kind of enhancement of a charge is often seen in… Read More »
Medical Necessity Defense And The Use of Marijuana
Marijuana is legal for recreational and medical use in several states in the U.S., however, it is not legal in Florida or under federal law for either use. A person using, growing, or in possession of marijuana is subject to criminal prosecution under Florida and federal law. However, there has been a question raised… Read More »
Florida Domestic Violence Victim Jailed For Contempt Of Court For Failing To Testify
Victims of domestic violence who call the police following an attack or threat of an attack may often only cooperate with the prosecution of the attacker up to a certain point and then decide to drop the charges or refuse to testify. In some cases, a person may falsify a domestic violence report against… Read More »
Florida Man Arrested For DUI In A Motorized Wheelchair
A Florida man was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) after blocking traffic on a bridge in Palm Bay. When he was arrested, the man was operating a motorized wheelchair, and had a strong odor of alcohol on him. The man declined police requests for a field sobriety test as… Read More »
Understanding Violation Of Probation In Florida
When a person is placed on probation in Florida, it is an alternative to incarceration. It may ideally be seen as a way to provide a person a second chance and a way to avoid punishment. However, if a person is later found in violation of probation, they can face serious penalties. Violation of… Read More »
Criminal Record Expungement As A Fresh Start
Mistakes in life are unavoidable. When someone makes a mistake and ends up on the wrong side of the law, they could be paying for that mistake throughout their life. Fortunately, in some instances the law recognizes the need for a fresh start and allows for the expungement of a criminal record. For a… Read More »
Flakka: The New King on the Florida Drug Scene
Over the past few months, Florida authorities have been increasingly concerned with “flakka,” a cheap, synthetic drug trend spreading throughout Florida. News reports and police have been captivated by the bizarre and paranoid behavior linked with use of the drug. In Fort Lauderdale, one man told police he was the mythical god Thor while… Read More »