Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Disney Guest Arrested for Drug Possession: Concerns About CBD Oil and Drug Charges
The arrest of a Disney guest on drug charges made headlines across the country, and a May 15, 2019 article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel outlined the details. As a 69-year-old woman was going through security and bag check at the Magic Kingdom, her small bottle of cannabis-based CBD oil caught the attention of… Read More »
Pinellas County, FL Man Faces Charges on Resisting Arrest
Unwise social media usage is rampant, but some individuals haven’t learned how their posts, pictures, and videos can land them in big criminal trouble. Such is the situation for a Pinellas County, FL man who live streamed his crimes from a Walgreens. According to a May 16, 2019 report from ABC Action News affiliate… Read More »
Miranda Warnings in Florida DUI Cases
Many people are aware of Miranda warnings from watching TV or movies, but they take on new meaning when you’re the one being arrested for violating Florida’s law on drunk driving. The term comes from the landmark US Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona, which established the rule that police must advise a… Read More »
Bill to Fight Human Trafficking May Change Key Florida Sex Crimes Laws
In the continued effort to crack down on human trafficking in Florida, lawmakers recently passed a law that takes a new approach to protecting victims. According to a May 13, 2019 article published by Miami’s CBS News Channel 4, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill to establish a statewide registry for individuals who engage… Read More »
False Claims of Child Abuse: Do’s and Don’ts to Protect Your Rights
With public awareness about child abuse at an all-time high, officials will take immediate action to protect children when they receive reports about violations of the law. At minimum, you can expect a thorough investigation into the most intimate details of your life. Under of Florida’s statute on Abuse of Children, any act that… Read More »
FAQs About Evidence Tampering Crimes in Florida
Deleting a text message, tossing an important document, or altering a signature may not seem like a big deal, but such conduct could actually be a crime under Florida’s statute on tampering with evidence. The law covers a wide range of acts intended to interfere with an official investigation into criminal activity, so it’s… Read More »
Dozens Arrested in Brevard County, FL for Drug Crimes, RICO Violations
Though the details of their criminal operation involved trafficking in controlled substances, dozens of individuals were arrested by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office for violations of federal law: The Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). According to a May 1, 2019 article in Florida Today, almost 60 people were charged and arrests warrants were… Read More »
Actual Versus Constructive Possession in Florida Criminal Cases
There are some crimes in Florida where simply having an illegal item in your possession is illegal, without you taking any other action. Of course, if you were arrested, that means the concept of possession will be central to your case. In regular usage, the term is pretty straightforward; in the practice of law,… Read More »
Four Factors That Justify Vehicle Searches in Florida
You have constitutional rights to be free from unlawful search and seizure regarding your person and residence, but these issues also come up frequently when police stop your vehicle. While there’s no bright line test to determine how far officers can go when conducting a search, there are four factors they’ll use to justify… Read More »
Florida, Miami Top the List of Fraud for All US States and Cities
It’s no secret that fraud is a serious problem in Florida, but a recent report issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) emphasizes this point. According to an April 16, 2019 article in Florida Today, the Sunshine State ranks number one among US states for reports of fraud – and fourth for incidents of… Read More »