Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Retroactive Sentencing Needed for Florida Inmates Doing Time Under Repealed Drug Laws
Florida has repealed harsh mandatory minimum sentences for possession or trafficking of small amounts of opioids, but there are still thousands of people in prison on convictions under a law that is no longer in effect. The prior law, repealed in 2014, imposed a mandatory three-year sentence for possession or sale of four grams of […]
New Florida Felony Theft Law Heightens Need for Skilled Legal Defense
For the first time in more than 30 years, Florida has amended its law defining the crime of felony theft. The revised statute — signed into law last year by Governor Ron DeSantis and effective October 31 — is at the same time more lenient and potentially more severe. Under the previous law, any theft […]
DUI Manslaughter Carries Heavy Penalties in Florida
The number of DUI-related vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities in Florida has declined in recent years, but they still occur all too often. If you drive drunk in Florida and someone is killed as a result, you may be charged with DUI manslaughter, a crime punishable by a lengthy prison term as well as stiff […]
Teen Shooters Made 2016 a Deadlier Year for Central Florida
In the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre in which 49 people were killed, it should surprise no one that homicides in Orange County, Florida were up in 2016. However, even controlling for that aberrant event, homicides were up in Orange and the surrounding counties of Central Florida, with the big story being teen shooters […]
What to do in the event that you are Arrested
If you unfortunately find yourself being arrested by the police there are a few things that you should know and do that will help protect your interests in your pending criminal case. DO NOT speak to the police unless you are requesting an attorney. The police are only speaking with you to get information from […]
What Can the Police Search When They Arrest You?
Police often take every opportunity to conduct searches of people they stop, detain or arrest. Laws describing when searches are legally allowed are extremely complicated and confusing, but there are some clear rules you should know concerning search incident to arrest (SIA). A search incident to (happening along with) a lawful custodial arrest has been […]
The Consequences of Driving with a Suspended License
Driving with a suspended license in Florida puts you at serious risk. The state takes this offense very seriously and can imprison you, even if you didn’t realize your license was suspended. First-time offenders can be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail, in addition to fines. There are many reasons why your driver’s […]
Actual Possession vs. Constructive Possession of a Controlled Substance
When police find illegal drugs, they will often arrest everyone they find near those drugs. Luckily, the law requires more evidence than just proximity to convict people of drug possession. There are two types of possession under Florida law. The first is actual possession. This is what most people think of when they think of […]
What to Expect from Florida’s Juvenile Justice Process
In Florida, criminal offenders under the age of 18 go through the state’s juvenile justice system, which focuses on attempting to rehabilitate young offenders instead of subjecting them to the adult court system. If your child has been accused of a crime, you need to understand how Florida’s juvenile justice system works. If the juvenile […]
Expunging a Florida Criminal Record
If you have ever been arrested or convicted of a serious crime, you are probably worried that your criminal record may have devastating consequences on your personal or professional life. Luckily, Florida allows qualifying individuals to have their criminal records expunged or sealed. To qualify to have your criminal record sealed or expunged, your case […]
