Recent Blog Posts
What is the Difference Between Jail and Prison in Florida?
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) oversees a total of 143 facilities throughout the state, including prisons, major institutions, private correctional centers, work camps, and many others. However, this number excludes jails, which are operated by county officials. When learning this information, you probably have the same question as many other people – whether… Read More »
Dos and Don’ts in Court Before You Retain a Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer
After you were arrested and detained in a criminal case, Florida’s Criminal Procedure Rules require that you be taken before the court within 24 hours. There are multiple proceedings that occur at this first appearance, such as: The judge will read the official charges; You will receive a copy of relevant documents; The judge… Read More »
The Role of Social Media in a Florida Criminal Case
As social media has found its way into personal and professional lives, posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms have also become a hot topic in criminal trials. A research report on Law Enforcement Use of Social Media Survey reveals the extent of online content being used in various phases throughout the criminal… Read More »
What Evidence is Needed for a Conviction on Theft Charges?
The penalties and collateral consequences for a conviction under Florida’s theft statute are severe, but being arrested does not mean you will be found guilty. The prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you violated the law, but they need evidence to do so. Even when witness testimony, documents, exhibits, and other materials… Read More »
Florida Officials Intensify Efforts to Fight Internet Crime
Law enforcement, prosecutors, and other members of the criminal justice community expressed concern after a June 2020 report indicates that internet crimes are on the rise in Florida. According to researchers from the Center for Forensic Accounting in Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, the Sunshine State ranks second in total victim losses at… Read More »
Constructive Possession and What It Means in Florida Drug Crimes Cases
The circumstances behind some drug offenses are relatively straightforward. If you have a joint in your hand or container of cocaine in your pocket, you can expect to be charged under Florida’s drug possession statute. However, you could also be arrested even when a controlled substance is not physically on your person or touching… Read More »
6 Legal Strategies for Defending Florida Sex Crimes Charges
Being charged with a sex crime is stressful, and knowing that you face serious penalties for a conviction can be agonizing. Incarceration, fines, registration as a sexual offender or predator are just a few of the consequences. Due to the serious nature of sex offenses, you can be sure that authorities aggressively pursue allegations…. Read More »
4 Florida DUI Laws You Need to Know
The basics of Florida’s statute on driving under the influence of alcohol are well-known to motorists, so you know you face penalties if you are convicted of drunk driving. However, there are subtleties involved with the laws that many people do not know. You could be surprised by the details at any point along… Read More »
What is Marsy’s Law and How Can It Affect a Florida Criminal Case?
Many Floridians are familiar with Marsy’s Law when the topic was in the news around November 2018, the date it was approved as an Amendment to the Florida Constitution by 62 percent of voters. You might recall that the measure was intended to enhance the rights of crime victims as a matter of constitutional… Read More »
Critics Argue Reversal of Florida Criminal Protections Harms Defendants
While many news outlets have been reporting decreases in Florida’s crime rate over the last few years, fewer are covering a story that reveals a more disturbing trend: The chipping away of criminal protections for individuals charged with crimes and those who were already convicted. A June 8, 2020 article in the Orlando Sentinel… Read More »