In 1987, Florida passed a law disallowing cities and counties from pass gun laws that were more restrictive than state law. In 2011, Florida doubled down and added civil penalties and fines for officials in those cities and counties should they attempt to override...
Criminal Defense
Former MLB star’s arrest highlights traffic stop consequences
Sports fans who follow Major League Baseball may remember former player Derek Bell from his time with several prominent teams. It may come as a surprise to learn that Bell was recently arrested in Brooksville following a traffic stop. Bell’s arrest The arrest began...
Can you be charged without being arrested?
In Florida, a person may be arrested but never face criminal charges. Prosecutors may also file criminal charges against a person who has not yet been arrested. Arrested and being charged Preparing or seeking a criminal defense is recommended when there are serious...
Ghost guns present unique legal challenges
Technology is truly incredible if you stop to think about it, affecting and improving many products including firearms. Now, it is possible to use a 3-D printer to construct a firearm or purchase a kit through the mail to construct a firearm. These types of firearms,...
Can you argue self-defense in your domestic violence case?
In a lot of criminal cases, those who have been accused of wrongdoing focus on defending themselves against the prosecution’s allegations by trying to poke holes in the prosecution’s case. While this may be an effective strategy in some circumstances, in others you...
Can a criminal conviction affect my federal financial aid?
Your college years are often your first time experiencing the freedom that comes with being an adult, but as a young adult, you may have made some mistakes along the way. You should be aware that if you are a college student and you are convicted of a crime it can...
What do I do when the police are at my door?
“Open up! It’s the police!” It is the nightmare scenario. There are cops at your door. It sounds like they are going to break the door down, and they want in. What now? Breathe. Today is going to be a bad day regardless of what you do. Accept that now. Your job now is...
If I can get my accuser to drop the charges, will they go away?
We see the storyline play out on television all the time: the “bad guy” tries to get the victim to “drop the charges.” It is such a pervasive storyline that it has created the myth that when someone calls the police and charges result, that person now has the ability...
What is considered domestic violence?
Domestic violence accusations can lead to serious charges. However, domestic violence itself is a fairly broad category, and a number of criminal charges and behaviors can be considered as domestic violence, depending on the circumstances. Types of domestic violence...
What types of crimes can get me deported?
Many residents of West Palm Beach are immigrants to the United States who are not citizens. If you are one of these people and you get arrested for a crime, it will be important for you to speak with an attorney about your case and your options. One reason it is so...