Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Defending Mail Fraud Charges in Florida
When a person uses the United States Postal Service (USPS) — or any private shipping services, including UPS or FedEx — in furtherance of a fraud scheme, they could potentially be charged with mail fraud. This is a very serious criminal offense. If you or your loved one was charged with mail fraud in… Read More »
Your Guide to Obstruction of Justice Charges in Florida
Many people have a general familiarity with the term ‘obstruction of justice’. You hear it frequently in popular culture, in politics, and in legal procedural shows. However, it is often used in an ill-defined or otherwise confusing manner. In reality, obstruction of justice covers a wide range of different offenses. In some cases, obstruction… Read More »
Miami Beach Police Chief Sends Letter to College Administrators; Warns ‘Spring Breakers’ of Strict Law Enforcement in 2019
On December 5th, 2018, the Miami New Times reported that Miami Beach Police Chief Daniel Oates has sent letters to several local college administrators as well as the presidents of local sororities and fraternities. This letter warns that the city is planning to strictly enforce all laws during Spring Break 2019 — a break… Read More »
Florida Police Arrest an Elderly Woman; Charged for Aiding Nigeria-Based Fraud Scheme
According to reporting from the Traverse City Record Eagle, Sylvia Jackson Williams — an 80-year-old woman from Columbia County, Florida — was arrested and charged with fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud for her alleged role in aiding and abetting a Nigeria-based check fraud scam. Law enforcement officers report that a Michigan couple that… Read More »
Florida Man Arrested After He Used High-Tech License Plate to Dodge Tolls
According to reporting from CBS Miami, the Miami-Dade Police Department has arrested a Florida man who allegedly used a sophisticated license plate cover in order to avoid paying highway tolls. Robert Craig Davis of Key Largo, Florida was arrested after he was allegedly caught in the act using the advanced license plate cover to… Read More »
Attorney Jude Faccidomo in the Miami Herald: “No charges to be filed in cockfighting ring probe”
Miami cockfighting case fizzles. Prosecutors blame animal-rights group for fouling it up By David Ovalle November 14, 2018 01:10 PM Updated November 15, 2018 03:00 PM Members of an undercover investigations group known as the Animal Recovery Mission, dressed in black uniforms and some wearing masks, surrounded a property in Southwest Miami-Dade earlier this… Read More »
Miami High School Security Guard Arrested on Drug Distribution Charges
According to reporting from ABC 10 News, Jamie Green — a Miami-Dade County high school security guard — has been arrested on multiple drug charges. The arrest report indicates that Mr. Green was pulled over by local law enforcement officers shortly after an undercover detective allegedly watched him sell drugs to a buyer at… Read More »
Three Arrested After Miami Gardens Paintball Shooting
On October 31st, 2018, the Miami Herald reported that the Miami Gardens Police Department (MGPD) has arrested three individuals — Tyrese Ferguson, Antwon Adam, and an unidentified minor — after a spree of paintball gun shootings left several people injured in neighborhoods across the region. The three were allegedly driving around Miami area communities,… Read More »
Three Miami Police Officers Arrested in Drug Bust
On October 24th, 2018, NBC News reported that three Miami police officers have been arrested on federal drug trafficking charges. Prosecutors allege that the officers — James Archibald, Schonton Harris, and Kelvin Harris — accepted money to work protection for a South Florida drug distribution ring. Prosecutors state that the officers believed that the… Read More »
Florida Criminal Law: What Happens if Police Mishandled the Evidence?
One of the foundational elements of the American criminal justice system is that all defendants are presumed to be innocent. To obtain a conviction, the prosecution has a burden of proving the charges that they are pursuing beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors must come to court prepared to present relevant, compelling supporting evidence. In… Read More »
Can You Go to Jail for Reckless Driving in Florida?
In Florida, reckless driving is much more than an administrative infraction. While it could certainly cost you your driver’s license, it could also lead to serious criminal penalties. In fact, if you are convicted of a reckless driving in South Florida, you may even face significant jail time. A person who is facing reckless… Read More »
Nearly a Dozen People Arrested in Miami-Dade County Drug Bust
According to reporting from NBC 6 Miami, at least eleven people were arrested in a coordinated drug raid that occurred throughout multiple locations across Miami-Dade County, Florida. In the early morning hours of August 9th, 2018, agents and officers from several law enforcement agencies carried out this operation. Among other agencies, this includes the… Read More »
Miami-Dade Police Officer Charged With Tax Fraud
According to reporting from WPLG Local 10 Miami, a Miami-Dade police officer has been arrested and charged with tax fraud. Ebony Nesbitt of North Miami is accused of violating federal tax law. The misconduct is alleged to have occurred prior to her joining of the police department. In a press release, the United States… Read More »
Florida Criminal Law: What is the Difference Between Being ‘Detained’ and ‘Arrested’?
If you have been ‘stopped’, you are being ‘questioned, or are being ‘held’ by a Florida police officer, it is important that you know whether: You are being detained; You have been arrested; or None of the above. In this article, our Miami defense lawyers seek to help you better understand your legal rights…. Read More »
Miami New Times: Strong Evidence of Racial Disparities in Miami Marijuana Enforcement
On September 7th, 2018, the Miami New Times published a report on the arrest and citation data that was released by the Miami-Dade Police Department. Notably, the Miami New Times assesses that this data confirms the conclusions of its early investigative reports, which found that: Miami-Dade Police are arresting people on marijuana possession charges… Read More »
Florida’s Identity Theft Law: What is ‘Personal Information’?
Identity theft is a very serious crime in Florida. As this type of fraud becomes more common in the digital age, Florida law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are bringing tougher enforcement action against perpetrators. As CBS News reported earlier this year, identity theft is at a record high in the United States. Of course,… Read More »
Were You Arrested in South Florida? Four Tips to Help You Protect Your Professional License
In Florida, many professionals are required to obtain and maintain a license from the state in order to practice. Occupational licenses are increasingly common in our country. According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 25 percent of all American workers hold an occupational license. From lawyers and doctors to… Read More »
What Should I Do if I Have Received a Subpoena in a Criminal Case?
A subpoena is a document issued by a court of law that orders a person to provide relevant information. You may receive a subpoena that asks you for certain documents or evidence related to a criminal case, or you may receive a subpoena that asks you to give on-the-record testimony. As you may have… Read More »
Clearwater, Florida ‘Stand Your Ground’ Shooter Arrested, Charged With Manslaughter
In July, a man named Michael Drejka shot and killed another man after a dispute in a parking lot in Clearwater, Florida. A video of the incident soon went viral and the shooting ignited a national debate as the Pinellas County Sheriff announced that he did not have the authority to arrest Mr. Drejka… Read More »
Report: DUI Arrests are Plummeting in South Florida
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, the number of drunk driving arrests in South Florida has dropped precipitously over the past few years. From 2013 to 2017, the number of DUI arrests made by the Miami-Dade Police Department fell by an astonishing 65 percent. Over the same time period, the number of drunk… Read More »
