Recent Blog Posts
What is a Wet Reckless?
A “wet reckless” is a charge that an individual can face after accepting a plea bargain to reduce a DUI charge. Basically, the DUI is reduced to a reckless driving charge and the individual faces the penalties associated with reckless driving, rather than the steeper penalties that accompany a DUI conviction. This type of… Read More »
Handling a Felony DUI Charge
Under certain circumstances, a DUI can be charged as a felony. If you are facing this type of felony charge, you should handle it exactly the same way as you would handle a non-felony DUI charge – by contacting an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible to start working on an effective… Read More »
Medical Marijuana User? Make Sure What’s in your Possession is Legal
Florida is one of the 29 states that have a medical marijuana program in place. Under this program, qualifying patients can possess a small amount of cannabis to relieve the symptoms of certain conditions, including Crohn’s Disease, HIV/AIDs, cancer, and glaucoma. Without a valid prescription, it is illegal to possess any amount of marijuana… Read More »
Hate Crimes on College Campuses
Recently, stories of a white-on-black hate crime on a Connecticut campus made headlines. A female student was charged with third degree criminal mischief and second degree breach of peace after she allegedly posted content on social media detailing harmful actions she took against her former roommate. These actions included tampering with the roommate’s personal… Read More »
Is It Worth my Time to Fight a First Time DUI Charge?
Yes. There is no other way to put it – it is absolutely, always worth your while to fight a DUI charge. Although there is some credibility to the idea that it can be worthwhile to simply accept a traffic violation charge and pay the fine because you will use more time and money… Read More »
South Florida Couple Arrested for Alleged Trafficking of Chinese Fentanyl
In late October 2017, authorities arrested a South Florida couple allegedly involved with an international drug smuggling ring that brought fentanyl and other, similar drugs from China to the United States. The couple was allegedly involved in the money laundering and distribution portion of the drug trafficking operation, which directly resulted in four American… Read More »
Criminal Penalties for a Petit Theft Conviction in Florida
In Florida, petit theft is defined as the theft or use of property worth less than $300 with the intent to deprive the property’s rightful owner of the benefits of owning or using the property. As with other theft offenses, petit theft is charged according to the value of the items allegedly stolen. Details… Read More »
Defenses to a Credit Card Fraud Charge
Credit card fraud is a broad charge that can be applied to a variety of alleged actions. Often, but not always, credit card fraud is the illegal use of an individual’s personal information to make purchases or open credit cards with the intention of making purchases. Other acts that may be charged as credit… Read More »
What Can I be Required to Do as Community Service?
For certain criminal offenses, such as driving under the influence (DUI), community service can be part of a convicted individual’s sentence. Sometimes, community service is sentenced in place of another penalty, such as jail time or a fine, or it is part of another penalty, such as probation. When community service is part of… Read More »
What Is Prescription Fraud?
Prescription fraud is both an act of fraud and a drug offense. Many prescription drugs, such as oxycodone and morphine, are tightly regulated because of their addictiveness and propensity to be abused by users. Though they are legal in the hands of pharmacies, doctors and nurses administering them to patients, and patients with legitimate… Read More »
I am a Victim of Police Brutality. What are my Rights?
During an arrest and in the interrogation and custody that follow, you have certain civil rights. One of these rights is the right to be handled humanely by police. Using excessive force to subdue or restrain a suspect is an act of police brutality and a violation of the suspect’s civil rights. Police brutality… Read More »
He Said, She Said: What Kind of Evidence is Necessary to Prove a Campus Sexual Assault?
It is no secret that sex happens on college campuses. Sometimes, it occurs in the context of committed relationships and in other cases, it is one night stands and experimentation. When it occurs without all participants’ consent, it is sexual assault. Sexual assault is a serious offense. When the details surrounding a sexual encounter… Read More »
Intent: Without It, your Violent Crime Charge Does Not Stand
Violent crimes are defined as offenses that cause victims to suffer bodily harm. Battery, domestic violence, robbery, and murder are all examples of violent crimes. Like with any other criminal offense, an individual cannot be convicted of a violent crime unless the court proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he or she committed the… Read More »
Creating, Posting, and Sharing Revenge Porn is a Sex Crime
When you are reeling from a difficult break up or trying to work through your anger at a former friend or lover, it can be very tempting to share embarrassing photos or videos of them online to make them feel the distress you felt because of their actions. But doing so is a sex… Read More »
Florida’s Pre-Trial Intervention Program Explained
Many people believe that if you are charged with a minor criminal offense, you deserve a chance to be rehabilitated instead of having to suffer the impact of a steep fine or jail term. The state of Florida and its Department of Corrections feel this way too and, combining this with statistics showing a… Read More »
Weapons Charges in Florida
In the United States, you have the right to bear arms. But this right has its limits. There are certain weapons you need proper identification and permits to possess and use and there are others that private citizens may not possess under any circumstances. It is also possible to have your right to own… Read More »
Is It Stalking?
On the surface, defining the term “stalking” can seem easy. Stalking is typically defined as the act of following an individual and otherwise pushing oneself into his or her life without the individual’s consent. Showing up at a victim’s home unannounced, sending him or her unwanted packages, and sending repeated phone calls and text… Read More »
Possible Defenses to a Weapons Charge
When you are charged with a weapons offense like aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, or unlawful possession of a concealed weapon, it is important that you be proactive and start developing your case’s defense strategy as soon as possible. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you… Read More »
What Can I Do if I am Charged with Mortgage Fraud?
According to the FBI, mortgage fraud is “any material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission relied upon by an underwriter or lender to fund, purchase or insure a loan.” Mortgage fraud can be committed by an individual seeking a mortgage to purchase a home or a lender looking to turn a profit. There are many different… Read More »
What is Illegal Search and Seizure?
Your right to privacy is protected by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This means that under most circumstances, law enforcement and others cannot enter your home to search through your property and take items they deem to be necessary for a criminal investigation. Doing so is known as an illegal search… Read More »