Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Is Marijuana A Schedule I Controlled Substance Under Florida Drug Laws?
You can meticulously review the statutory language for hours, yet you will not find the term “marijuana” anywhere on the Florida statute on controlled substances standards and schedules. This is partly because the law refers to “cannabis,” but the legal issues are much more complicated than terminology. More states have moved to decriminalize pot,… Read More »
Legal Strategies For Defending Florida Gun Crimes Charges
If you have been charged with a violation of Florida gun laws, it will not be too long after your arrest that you start to think about defenses. Even minor crimes regarding possession and use are charged as misdemeanors under state criminal statutes on weapons and firearms. More serious gun crimes are felonies punishable… Read More »
6 Mistakes To Avoid After Being Arrested On Criminal Charges In Florida
When you are under arrest in a Florida criminal case, there is a good chance your mind will be occupied with two key thoughts: What you can do to help your position and what NOT to do to make things worse. Your actions immediately before, during, and after the encounter with police can have… Read More »
How A Domestic Violence Injunction Affects Other Court Proceedings In Florida
If you were recently served with paperwork under Florida’s law on domestic violence injunctions, your life has most certainly been turned upside down. After reviewing the court documents, you know that you are prohibited from contacting the accuser and being present where that person resides or frequents. You might also be instructed to refrain… Read More »
Use Of Facial Recognition Technology By Florida Police
Facial recognition technology is quite handy for securing your phone and related devices, but you may not give much thought to how these solutions can be used by law enforcement in combating crime. However, according to a recent article published by South Florida Local 10 News, this concept is most definitely something to be… Read More »
What Happens If I Refuse A Breathalyzer Test In Florida?
Every US state has a law stipulating that a driver assents to be tested for alcohol if requested by police, which is in exchange for driving privileges. The specifics of Florida’s implied consent statute provide that anyone who uses state roads is deemed to have agreed to a blood, breath, or urine test to… Read More »
Severe Penalties For Hit & Run Accidents In Florida
When you have been involved in a car accident and might be partly to blame, the urge to drive away can be strong. Even if you were not responsible for causing the crash, you might seek to flee the scene because you were tipsy or driving on a suspended license. Data from the Florida… Read More »
Why Are There Such Major Differences Among Florida Theft Crimes?
In common usage, theft means taking something that does not belong to you. In the specific area of Florida criminal law, the definitions and details are much more convoluted. Lawmakers have dedicated an entire section to theft crimes in Florida, and the provisions encompass such a wide range of conduct that you might not… Read More »
Florida White Collar Criminal Cases: Two Critical Stages for Your Defense
While it is true that every criminal case is different, Florida white collar crimes are truly in a category all their own. Their unique nature does not come from the misnomer within the term: White collar crimes are not limited to those in business suits. The reason that white collar offenses are unusual is… Read More »
How Do I Get Rid of a Florida Arrest Warrant?
The short answer to the question is that you do not simply eliminate a Florida arrest warrant: It will not just go away, which puts you in a two-pronged predicament: At any given moment, an encounter with law enforcement could lead police to take you into custody immediately; and There is still the underlying… Read More »