Recent Blog Posts
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 »
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 »
