Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Types of Warrants in a Florida Criminal Case
Even if you have a general understanding of what a warrant is, you might be surprised to learn the details and intricacies of the different kinds of warrants under Florida law. There is much confusion about the three types, which is further compounded by the fact that warrants are used in a variety of… Read More »
Understanding 2 Types of Domestic Violence Cases
Few Florida laws are as baffling and complex as those covering domestic violence, and much of the confusion stems from a fundamental legal concept: There are TWO cases implicated when someone accuses you of domestic violence. They are separate and distinct processes, one being criminal and the other civil in nature; you may face… Read More »
What Happens When a Victim Refuses to Testify in a Florida Criminal Case?
A common question many people ask when facing trial in a Florida criminal case is how the proceedings work when the alleged victim of the crime refuses to testify. The issue most commonly arises in connection with domestic violence, but it can conceivably come up in any case where someone accuses you of an… Read More »
Crime Down in Florida: FDLE Findings for First Half 2020
After a year in which most headlines were announcing bad news, it is reassuring for Florida residents to know that crime is down across the state. NBC News Channel 2 WESH offered an overview of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) report on crime for the first half of 2020, which dipped 12… Read More »
Should You Ever Testify as a Defendant in a Florida Criminal Case?
If you were falsely charged with a crime in Florida or believe that your story needs to be presented in court, you will no doubt jump at the chance to take the witness stand when your case goes to trial. It is understandable that you seek to provide your own recollection about the events… Read More »
Reasons a Florida Drunk Driving Case Goes to Trial
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) reports that there were more than 32,000 people charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in 2018, a figure that generally coincides with the drunk driving arrest totals for previous years. However, the path these cases take after arrest varies widely. Many are resolved through a… Read More »
3 Ways to Get Your Confession Tossed in a Florida Criminal Case
When you have been subjected to hours of grueling interrogation, faced probing questions, and raked over the coals by Florida law enforcement, there may come a point where you think a confession is your best option for ending the agony. Many other individuals have been in your position and done exactly what you are… Read More »
Taking Your Florida Criminal Case to Trial: Questions to Ask Yourself
There are numerous variables you will need to consider when you have been arrested on criminal charges in Florida, but one of the most important issues early on will be whether to take your case to trial. Though you do have the right to a speedy trial under Florida law, it does not always… Read More »
Your Guide to Understanding Florida Assault and Battery Crimes
You hear the phrase “assault and battery” tossed around often in conversation, on the news, and in film, to the point where you probably think the terms are interchangeable. While they are often discussed together, however, the Florida statute on assault, battery, and related offenses draws numerous distinctions. If you do not have a… Read More »
New Florida School Bus Passing Law Imposes Serious Penalties for Offenders
If you emit an audible groan and try to look for a way out when you see a school bus stopped with its lights flashing, you should be aware of a new law that went into effect in Florida on January 1, 2021. ABC affiliate WTXL News Channel 27 reported on the School Bus… Read More »