Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Music Star Arrested on Firearms Charges in South Florida
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, rapper Kodak Black has been arrested on weapons charges in South Florida. The music star, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was detained right before he was set to take the stage for a performance in the region. In a joint state and federal operation, United States… Read More »
New England Patriots Owner Wins Important Procedural Ruling; Key Video Evidence Thrown Out of Court
In February of 2019, law enforcement agents in South Florida announced prostitution and solicitation charges against dozens of defendants after an operation at a Jupiter-based spa and massage parlor. This story quickly made national headlines as Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots, was among those arrested. This week, Mr…. Read More »
Florida Doctor Arrested, Charged With Manslaughter After Overdose Death
According to reporting from NBC 6 South Florida, a Miami-Dade County doctor has been arrested and charged with manslaughter and drug trafficking. These charges are related to the March 2019 opioid overdose death a 35-year-old Florida Keys woman. Dr. Marta Elena Farinas is accused of negligently overprescribing and unlawfully selling prescription drugs, including oxycodone…. Read More »
Miami-Dade Prosecutors Set to Announce Charges in Massive Insurance Fraud Case
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, several dozen South Florida homeowners and multiple public insurance adjusters are set to be criminally charged in a massive insurance fraud case. The alleged ringleader of the scheme — Barbara Gonzalez of West Miami — has already been arrested and booked into a local jail. In this… Read More »
Supreme Court to Decide if Police Need a Warrant to Draw Blood From Unconscious Person
As reported by Reuters, the Supreme Court of the United States recently heard oral arguments in a Fourth Amendment case involving an unconscious driver who had his blood drawn by police without hearing his rights or giving his consent. The nation’s highest court is now set to determine if this motorist’s constitutional rights were… Read More »
Miami-Dade Public School Official Charged With Sex Crime
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, a Miami-Dade County public school employee has been arrested on sex crimes charges. Victor Brantley, who works in the computer technology department of South Dade Senior High School and also serves as a Pastor in Homestead, FL, is accused of meeting the boy through an internet dating… Read More »
An Overview of Sex Offender Registration in Florida
Florida has strict sex offender registration requirements. Under Florida state law, convicted sex offenders must report to law enforcement so that the general public has an opportunity to be aware of their presence. If a sex offender fails to register in accordance with state law, they will be subject to harsh criminal penalties —… Read More »
When Can Florida Police Conduct a Search Without a Warrant?
Under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Americans have a basic right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Before conducting a search, police officers are usually required to establish probable cause and to obtain a warrant from a judge. However, there are some important exceptions to this general rule. Here,… Read More »
State Attorney Drops Charges Against Women Seen in Viral Miami, FL “Rough” Arrest Video
According to reporting from NBC 6 South Florida, the South Florida mother who was seen in a viral video showing her being arrested in an especially “rough” manner is no longer facing any criminal charges from state or local prosecutors. Dyma Loving — a 26-year-old mother — was physically brought to the ground and… Read More »
MMA Star Conor McGregor Arrested for Strong-Armed Robbery in Miami
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor was arrested outside of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel after he allegedly grabbed and smashed a fan’s cell phone. Miami Beach Police state that Mr. McGregor was charged with felony strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief in relation to the incident. Following… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Hears Another Stand Your Ground Case
As reported by CBS Miami, the Florida Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in another ‘Stand Your Ground’ case. The core issue at stake in this case is whether or not key changes that were made to the controversial law in 2017 should be applied to earlier cases that are still making their way… Read More »
Prominent South Florida Lobbyist Arrested for Intoxicated Driving
According to reporting from the Miami New Times, Ron Book — an influential state government lobbyist who is based in Miami-Dade County — was arrested for DUI following a motor vehicle crash in Davie, Florida. The Broward Sheriff’s Office reports that Mr. Book was charged with intoxicated driving and he was charged with damaging… Read More »
Three Things You Should Know About the Juvenile Justice System in Florida
Unfortunately, young people — especially teenagers — sometimes get themselves into serious trouble, even criminal trouble. According to a report from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), juvenile courts handle approximately one million cases nationally each year. Each state has its own juvenile justice program. For instance, in Florida, these types of cases… Read More »
How Will a DUI Conviction Impact My Auto Insurance Rates in Florida?
As any driver in Florida knows, car insurance is expensive. For many people, automobile insurance will cost more than $1,500 per year. If you are arrested for drunk driving in Florida, the cost of maintaining your auto coverage is just one of the many things that you have to think about. Following a DUI… Read More »
Two Federal Government Contractors Arrested in Drug Bust at PortMiami
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, two federal contractors from the District of Columbia have been arrested in a drug bust at PortMiami. Located in Biscayne Bay, PortMiami is the busiest passenger port in the entire world. The drug bust occurred at the passenger section of the port, when two men attempted to… Read More »
Florida Appeals Court: Police Officer Can Arrest People for “Unregulated” Bitcoin Sales
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, a Miami Beach man can be prosecuted for the unregistered sale of Bitcoin to an undercover police officer. In 2016, Michell Espinoza — a Florida-based web developer — was arrested and charged with illegal transmission of funds and money laundering after selling $1,500 worth of unregistered Bitcoins… Read More »
Miami Body Cam Footage of 2017 Arrest is Being Reviewed By Independent Panel
According to reporting from NBC 6 South Florida, an independent civilian panel is preparing to review the police body cam footage of a “rough arrest” that occurred nearly two years ago. The footage of the 2017 incident — newly released to the public — shows a suspect in an armed robbery case being arrested… Read More »
Supreme Court Rules Robbery Can Be a Violent Felony After Hearing Florida Case
On January 15th, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision in the case of Stokeling v. United States. In a relatively rare five to four decision that crossed the normal ideological lines, the nation’s highest court ruled that individual state statutes that require ‘minimal force’ satisfy the prior-conviction requirement under… Read More »
Despite Legal Reforms, Miami Area Police are Arresting More People for Misdemeanor Marijuana Possession
In 2015, Miami-Dade adopted a new marijuana possession law. In misdemeanor marijuana possession cases — meaning cases where the defendant is alleged to possess 20 grams or less — Miami-Dade police officers can simply issue a fine for the offense. This citation is similar to a basic traffic violation, like a speeding ticket. Yet,… Read More »
Understanding Embezzlement Charges in Florida
A person who uses their privileged position to take money or property from an employer or other party without permission can be charged with embezzlement. In Florida, embezzlement is a very serious criminal offense. If convicted of embezzlement, a defendant could face significant jail time. Here, our top-rated Miami defense lawyers provide an overview… Read More »
