A wide variety of factors are at play in criminal cases, including the facts, the evidence and the law. The facts and the evidence make every criminal case unique. The law, however, is supposed to be applied equally. That includes constitutional protections for...
Criminal Defense
What is Florida’s “stand your ground” law?
Florida provides individuals with the right to protect themselves against crime and harm. Its stand-your-ground law can be a strong criminal defense when force is justifiably used. Castle doctrine Many states follow something known as the castle doctrine, which...
Is cop kindness sincere?
With the seemingly weekly deadly police shootings in the news, it may seem weird when a police officer is treating you kindly. And, while it is true that police are human too, which means they can be as kind as anyone else, sometimes, their kindness is insincere. The...
Drunk driving suspect gets charged with more crimes
Drunk driving is rarely an isolated crime. More often than not, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will cause additional crimes after the original crime of DUI has been committed. A tragic example of this phenomenon occurred in Miami when a DUI suspect...
Can you beat a drug trafficking charge?
Florida drug threat assessments show that the percentage of drug-related federal sentences vis-à-vis other crimes in Florida is higher than the national average. And in Florida’s prisons, drug offenses account for the largest segment of incarcerated persons. There’s...
If charges were dismissed, why do I still have a criminal record?
Just because you were arrested does not make you a bad person. After all, an arrest does not mean you were guilty of any wrongdoing. You might not be charged at all. If you are charged with a crime, the charges against you might be dropped. If your case goes to trial,...
Florida gun laws in a state of flux
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...
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,...