Author Archives: Site Administrator
Marriage Fraud – What are the Penalties for an American Spouse?
When most people think of fraud, they tend to think of credit card fraud and investment scams. These are two types of fraud, but certainly not the only type. Fraud is a theft crime, which means it can be used to steal money, information, valuables, or anything else with monetary value. This includes the… Read More »
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Florida
Drug use does not occur in a vacuum. Whether a drug is injected, snorted, or smoked, it is used in conjunction with an apparatus. This apparatus, along with items used to cultivate and transport the drug, is considered to be a piece of drug paraphernalia. In Florida, the possession of drug paraphernalia is a… Read More »
Cocaine Trafficking is on the Rise in Florida
According to drug enforcement officials, drug trafficking into South Florida is happening at a higher rate than it has at any point in the last decade. In the past year, Customs and Border Protection officers confiscated approximately 9,500 pounds of cocaine being moved into the nation through Florida. Cocaine overdose deaths in Florida are… Read More »
What Makes a Piece of Evidence Inadmissible in Court?
In any criminal case, evidence is a key part of the legal proceeding. Evidence is what the prosecution uses to link the defendant to the offense as well as what the criminal defense team uses to show that the defendant is innocent. Using evidence effectively is the key to convicting an individual or keeping… Read More »
What to Do if you are Charged with Trespassing
Trespassing is defined as the act of entering a private area without permission from its owner. This can be a house, a section of a home or public building, or even an empty lot. If you do not have authorized permission to enter a space or structure, entering it can be deemed to be… Read More »
Posting Bail: What it Does, What it Requires
When an individual is arrested and taken to jail, a bail amount is set for him or her. Bail is the money that the individual can pay in exchange for being released from jail while his or her case moves through the criminal justice system. Bail is not always money. Sometimes, it is a… Read More »
Types of Property Crime
There are many different classifications for criminal offenses. Within these classifications, there are often subdivisions. Property crimes are offenses that involve the unauthorized taking or destruction of another party’s property. Within the realm of property crimes, there are multiple subtypes. These subtypes of property crime are listed below. Property crimes can involve tangible items… Read More »
Why You Need to Comply with your Subpoena
In the most basic sense, a subpoena is a request for evidence to use in a criminal case. The court issues subpoenas to individuals who can provide this evidence, which can be anything from a testimony about an event to a document that shows critical information about the event. A subpoena is not a… Read More »
Marijuana Possession for Personal Use vs. Marijuana Possession with the Intent to Distribute
Although states across the nation are decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana for recreational use, it is still a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance under the Controlled Substances Act and illegal outside of regulated medical use in Florida. Florida’s laws differentiate between the possession of a small amount of marijuana for one’s personal use and the… Read More »
What is Petit Theft?
Petit theft is defined as the theft of property valued at less than $300 with the intention of permanently or temporarily depriving the rightful owner of that item. In other words, it does not matter if you intend to return an item taken for your own benefit – “borrowing” another person’s property without his… Read More »
How to Prepare for your Deposition
If you are facing a criminal charge, you are going to become acquainted with numerous court procedures in a short period of time. One of these is the discovery process, which includes interrogations, depositions, and requests for the submission of specific pieces of evidence to the court. A deposition is a conversation between you… Read More »
What is a Hate Crime?
A hate crime is a criminal offense motivated by the offender’s bias against the victim based on the victim’s race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, gender, or national origin. In nearly all cases, hate crimes are violent offenses such as murder, arson, assault, or battery. When an offense is deemed to have been a… Read More »
What is Contempt of Court?
When the court orders you to comply with an order, you must comply with that order. Failing to comply with a court order is known as contempt of court. Court orders can be made for actions that occur outside the courtroom, such as orders to pay child support or comply with a subpoena, as… Read More »
What are the Penalties for Violating an Order of Protection?
If another party, such as a former partner, files an order of protection against you, you need to comply with the terms of the order while it is in place. Violating an order of protection, also known as a restraining order, is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in jail and… Read More »
The Death Penalty in Florida
For many, the death penalty represents the ultimate form of punishment for a crime. Although governments around the world have abolished death as a penalty for a criminal conviction, it remains in use in many parts of the United States. Florida is one of the states where the death penalty is still in use…. Read More »
I Have been Charged with Reckless Driving – What are my Options?
Being charged with reckless driving is more than an allegation of poor driving skills. It is a second degree misdemeanor charge that can potentially land you in jail for up to 90 days or saddle you with a fine of up to $500. An individual can be charged with reckless driving if he or… Read More »
Were you Falsely Arrested? What to Do if you are a False Arrest Victim
Not all arrests are legitimate. If an officer has a valid arrest warrant or probable cause to believe an individual committed a criminal offense, he or she may arrest the individual. Without at least one of these, an arrest may not occur. When one occurs anyway, it is known as a false arrest. A… Read More »
What is Securities Fraud?
White collar crime takes many forms. Generally, they are theft offenses committed using information only available to those in privileged positions, such as financial advisors, investment brokers, and accountants. Securities fraud is a type of white collar crime. It involves the theft of money and sometimes, victims’ identities, through scams involving investments. Securities fraud… Read More »
Jude Faccidomo to Present Defenses for Sentencing In Child Pornography at Florida Bar CLE
Jude Faccidomo will present Defenses for Sentencing in Child Pornography as part of The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Criminal Law Section Advanced Federal Practice 2017 course on Friday March 17, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Miami. For more information please click here.
Civil versus Criminal Charges for Damage Resulting from a Car Accident
You are probably familiar with the term “damages” as it relates to car accidents. Damages are the expenses that an individual faces as the result of an accident, such as damage to his or her vehicle or expenses that arise as a result of his or her injury, such as medical bills and reduced… Read More »
