Recent Blog Posts
Florida Lawmakers Cracking Down on Prostitution and Revenge Porn
Florida residents now have 27 new laws in effect to regulate a wide variety of violations, including prostitution and the relatively new offense of revenge porn. Lawmakers passed these statutes in May of 2015, but they are just now taking effect. Prostitution Under the new Florida law, the classification for solicitation of a prostitute… Read More »
Deciphering Access Device Fraud
A little known statute is making news in Florida. Two men were recently sentenced to almost two years in prison and another faces charges for the same offense. The Palm Beach Post is reporting about two men who were recently convicted of access device fraud and given a jail sentence. The court convicted the… Read More »
Defending a Tax Fraud Case
Florida is known for many things, from its beaches to its warm climate, but now the sunshine state can add tax fraud leader to the list. According to an IRS Criminal Investigation Task Force, tax fraud in Tampa alone is costing the United States Treasury Department more than $5 billion each year. One police… Read More »
Defending an Attorney Grievance Proceeding
Florida lawyers have a new tool in their quest to attract and secure new clients. As reported by the Miami New Times, the The Florida Bar recently decided to allow lawyers to text potential clients. The practice was formerly banned, but the organization changed its stance as “an adaptation to reality” as reportedly explained… Read More »
Twenty-One Suspects Facing Charges after a Child Sex Sting
A recent undercover sting operation resulted in the arrest of 21 Florida men on charges of obscene communication and unlawful use of a communication device. As reported by News 4 Jacksonville, Operation Panther was undertaken by several agencies, including the Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the Florida Bureau of Investigations…. Read More »
Highly Publicized Cases Call for an Experienced Defense
News of a particularly gruesome murder has South Florida residents on edge as four young people face serious charges. According to the Miami Herald, four students allegedly worked together to lure a 17-year-old into the woods and kill him. The accused individuals all attended a federally operated job corp program. Law enforcement asserts that… Read More »
Division of Insurance Fraud Makes Four Arrests
The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) made four arrests recently on allegations of three different insurance scams. As reported in the Insurance Journal, the alleged schemes involved personal injury protection (PIP) payouts and resulted in fraudulent insurance claims exceeding $145,000. Staging an Accident Scene One arrest reportedly involved the… Read More »
Racketeering Charges are Serious Business in Florida
The term racketeering brings up images of Prohibition-era gangsters and infamous mob bosses. But under Florida law, racketeering can encompass a variety of actions. At their core, these laws seek to deter and punish enterprises that are built off of unlawful activities. A racketeering conviction relies heavily on the knowledge of the accused, which… Read More »
The Far Reaching Effects of a Child Pornography Charge
A Tennessee child psychologist is facing serious charges after his arrest by the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force. According to a report in the Sun Sentinel, task force members learned that someone was using various hotel and motel internet services to share images depicting child pornography. Through additional… Read More »
Fraud Flourishes in South Florida
South Florida is known for many things, including beautiful beaches, a booming nightlife and extensive cultural diversity. But according to recent reports, the sunny region earned a new and less complimentary distinction as the fraud capital of the nation. Some of the infamous scams include: false lotteries; identity theft to purchase high dollar items;… Read More »
The Serious Consequences of a Wire Fraud Conviction
Recent news articles are reporting about a Florida man who is facing wire fraud charges in federal court. Wire fraud is an offense often associated with financial crimes. Though it may seem like a harmless white collar offense on its face, wire fraud is a serious crime that, upon conviction, carries significant legal penalties…. Read More »
Supreme Court Decision Clears the Path for Florida Executions
The number of inmates on Florida’s death row may soon decrease as a Supreme Court decision cleared the way for the state to start executions again. In February, the Florida State Supreme Court blocked pending procedures, including the planned execution of a convicted murderer. At the center of the controversy was the lethal injection… Read More »
The Serious Consequences of a Methamphetamine Charge
The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) recently completed a large drug bust that infiltrated a significant methamphetamine trafficking ring throughout central Florida. As reported in the Orlando Sentinel, the bust resulted from months of surveillance and investigations that began after the release of a convicted methamphetamine trafficker. Upon receiving a tip, investigators reportedly began… Read More »
Defining Burglary
When you hear the term burglary, you probably envision a masked offender breaking into a home at night. While it is a common burglary scenario, this serious crime is far more reaching and you may be surprised by the various situations that can lead to a burglary allegation. A recent article by Space Coast… Read More »
The Potential Consequences of a Hate Crime Charge
The recent events in South Carolina have sparked a nationwide debate about racism, violence and hatred. A young man reportedly walked into a church prayer service and fatally shot nine members of the congregation. According to an article in the New York Times, legal analysts expect that the United States Justice Department to file… Read More »
Defending the Future of a College Student
A new investigation by Outside the Lines is giving the Florida Gators a title they may not want. As reported by ESPN, the study found that more University of Florida athletes have been named as criminal suspects than the athletes from nine other major football and basketball college programs. A reported 24% of the… Read More »
New Florida Laws on Domestic Violence
A new Florida law is being heralded for the added protection it provides victims of domestic violence. However, it is equally as important for a person accused of domestic violence to know the terms of the new legislation and understand what a possible violation looks like. Without this knowledge, a defendant may take seemingly… Read More »
Facing a Conspiracy Charge in Florida
It is always challenging to face criminal charges. From the initial arrest, to posting bond and appearing in front of a judge, the criminal court process is can prove long, tedious and stressful. The details of an incident generally dictate which charges are filed. The amount of danger and violence involved can elevate a… Read More »
Florida Crime Rate on the Decline
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recently released the state’s annual crime statistics. Though the numbers look good overall, the rate of occurrence for some serious crimes continues to rise. The FDLA is a state agency falling under the umbrella of the governor and the executive branch. Established in 1967, the department is… Read More »
The Line Between Possession and Intent
The severity of drug possession charges can range from mildly serious to significantly grievous. Possessing up to 20 grams in the state of Florida may result in up to one year incarceration and a $1,000 fine. Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana for personal use can carry a penalty of five years… Read More »
