Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Florida May Soon See Changes to its Juvenile Justice System
Florida’s legislature is expected to adopt some significant changes during its 2014 session, particularly relating to its juvenile justice system. The session is expected to focus on rehabilitation and prevention for underage offenders. After struggling to pass meaningful legislation on juvenile sentencing guidelines in recent years, the legislature is also expected to address the question […]
How to Navigate Domestic Violence Charges in Florida
Domestic violence allegations can have a dramatic effect on your life, impacting your freedom, child custody and visitation rights, access to your own home and much more. In addition, domestic violence charges may pit your word against your accuser’s, which can make it even more difficult to know how to deal with these types of […]
University of Florida Sued Over Ban on Firearms
Florida Carry, Inc., a state gun rights advocacy group, is suing the University of Florida over its school-wide firearms ban, which bars students from keeping weapons in their residence halls. The organization previously took the University of North Florida, another public university, to court over its gun control policies. The ruling in that case, settled […]
Florida Court Hears Arguments in Defense of Juvenile Offenders
On March 6, the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the nature of a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which ruled that mandatory life sentences for juvenile offenders are unconstitutional because they represent cruel and unusual punishment. Specifically, the court considered the question of whether Rebecca Lee Falcon, a Panama City woman convicted of murdering […]
Former University of Florida Player’s Drug Charge Arrest Warrant is Dropped
On March 19, former University of Florida cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy was arrested by the Alachua County police department and charged with the possession of marijuana and synthetic drug bath salts. Information regarding the amounts in his possession has not been released. Purifoy, reportedly a prospect for the National Football League, is currently forgoing his senior […]
Understanding Florida’s Tough DUI Laws
The state of Florida defines a DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol, chemical or controlled substances) as an offense that can be proved by showing the impairment of a person’s normal faculties or a blood alcohol/breath alcohol level of 0.08 or above. The penalties for each DUI conviction are as follows: First conviction — […]
Florida Lawmaker Arrested on DUI Charges
In Tallahassee, Florida Rep. Dane Eagle was recently arrested on charges of driving under the influence. According to local police, the Cape Coral politician was spotted driving erratically around 2 a.m. on April 21. The car reportedly hit a curb before going through a red light. The officer who apprehended Eagle, who was not identified […]
New York’s SAFE Act May Allow Firearms to be Seized Without a Warrant
The state of New York recently passed a gun control law allowing law enforcement officers to seize firearms without having a warrant. The Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (nicknamed the SAFE Act), was designed to prevent criminals and those with dangerous mental illnesses from buying guns, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. However, […]
Florida House of Representatives Passes Bill to Prevent Gun Owner Discrimination
On April 22, the Florida House of Representatives voted 74-44 to pass Senate Bill 424, which is intended to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against Florida gun owners. If signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, the bill makes it illegal for insurance companies to increase rates or deny coverage for gun-owning citizens. The bill, […]
