Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Florida Hate Crimes Defense
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, the charges could be reclassified to a more serious degree, with resulting heftier penalties, if it is determined that prejudice factored in the commission of the crime (775.085). Clearly, with so much on the line, securing aggressive, experienced criminal legal counsel is essential… Read More »
Should a Defendant Testify at Trial?
Many defendants feel strongly that once they get the opportunity to testify, the jury will see the case through their eyes and will acquit them of any criminal charges. The fact of the matter is, though, that determining whether or not a defendant should take the stand is a something that needs to be… Read More »
Drug Paraphernalia Charges
If you’ve been charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, you are facing a surprisingly stern penalty: Florida statute 893.147 lists it as a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year behind bars, plus as much as a $1,000 fine. For a law-abiding citizen who doesn’t have run-ins with law enforcement as a general rule,… Read More »
Another Battery Arrest for Chris Brown
After a packed performance at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre, Chris Brown left the venue in handcuffs, arrested for an alleged April 2017 felony battery charge that had been hanging over his head since he was last here in Florida. Authorities have been holding off on charging Brown, since he’s been traveling for the past… Read More »
When Being Drunk Becomes a Crime in Florida: Disorderly Intoxication
Once you are 21 years old, you have the privilege to purchase and enjoy alcohol whether in your home, at a party, or at a bar or restaurant. However, there are limits to this privilege under Florida law. If law enforcement officers encounter you when you are intoxicated in public, you may be committing… Read More »
Driver at Fault in Fatal Orlando Crash Arrested in May
Authorities announced in May that the driver responsible for a deadly Valentine’s Day crash in Orlando has been arrested. A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses for crashing his Honda Civic into a Pontiac, killing the Pontiac’s two occupants at the scene. According to witnesses, the man was waving an… Read More »
Expungement in Florida
In certain circumstances, you may be able to ask the court to remove a certain record from your criminal history. Expungement, also known as expunction, is the process of destroying a record. It is different than having a record sealed, which means it still exists, it is just not available to the public. Obtaining… Read More »
Expungement of Juvenile Offenses in Florida
It is all too easy for teenagers to stray from the safe path of working hard in school and spending time with their families. Due to peer pressure, trouble at home, mental health issues, or any number of other factors, adolescents may put their energy into drugs, alcohol, skipping school, staying out late, shoplifting,… Read More »
Heroin Possession in Florida
Under Florida law, heroin is a Schedule I drug. This means lawmakers consider it to have a high potential for abuse while also having no currently accepted medical use in the U.S. As a Schedule I drug, manufacturing, transporting, selling, possessing and using heroin is entirely illegal throughout the state (and the country). If… Read More »
Florida Drug Paraphernalia Charges
Did you know you could be arrested and charged with a drug offense without being in possession of any controlled substances? Under Florida law, you can be charged with an offense for actually or constructively possessing drug paraphernalia. This includes all manner of objects, with or without drug residue, that the police or prosecutors… Read More »
