Recent Blog Posts
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 »
What to Do if you are Facing an Accusation of Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime. It is the stealing of another individual’s personal information, often with the intention of using that information to make purchases or commit criminal acts without having such acts attached to the offender’s own identity. Sometimes, an innocent act is construed as an act of identity theft. In other… Read More »
What Constitutes an Inappropriate Relationship with a Patient?
Health care providers are held to high professional standards in Florida. In Florida, all medical professionals, such as doctors and nurses, are licensed by the Florida Board of Medicine. When a healthcare professional is accused of any type of misconduct, such as fraud, gross negligence, conviction of a criminal offense, or abuse of his… Read More »
How Does an Officer Obtain an Arrest Warrant?
A police officer cannot arrest people at random. In order to arrest an individual suspected of committing a criminal offense, an officer must have probable cause to believe that the individual committed the crime or a valid arrest warrant. Obtaining an arrest warrant requires legwork on the part of the arresting officer. Below are… Read More »
Where Do I Have the Right to Stand my Ground?
Individuals in Florida have the right to stand their ground – that is, the right to use firearms and other types of force against attackers without being required to retreat – in situations where they feel that their safety, property, or the safety of another individual is at risk. This right only exists in… Read More »
What is the Federal Witness Protection Program?
The United States Marshall Service Witness Security Program (WITSEC), more commonly known as the Witness Protection Program, was created in 1970 with the passage of the Organized Crime Control Act. In 1971, WITSEC began its operation and since that year, it has served more than 18,000 individuals. The purpose of the program is to… Read More »
