Category Archives: Criminal
How Digital Evidence Affects a Florida Child Porn Case
Criminal charges involving Florida’s child pornography laws have always been serious, carrying long prison terms, sex offender registration requirements, and other punishment for a conviction. However, in recent years, the criminal justice community has modified their strategies for pursuing criminal investigations, making arrests, and prosecuting the case. These days, child porn cases are more… Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Reasons to Hire a Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer for Misdemeanor Charges
If you’ve been arrested on misdemeanor charges in Florida, you probably assume that the implications are no big deal. You might think that it’s possible to avoid jail time as a first offender, get probation only, or simply have to pay a fine. When the case is over, you expect to go back to… Read More »
Charges for Incomplete or Inchoate Crimes in Florida
There’s a common assumption that you must actually commit a criminal offense to be charged with a crime, but this is a misconception. Under Florida’s statute on incomplete crimes, you can actually be arrested for conduct that does NOT rise to the level of criminal activity – and it may come as a surprise… Read More »
Get Florida Criminal Charges Dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing
Going through the criminal process after being charged is often as overwhelming as the arrest itself, so knowing what to expect can ease some of your concerns. Under certain circumstances, you may go through a preliminary hearing under the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure. As one of the key initial stages in your case,… Read More »
Types of Discovery in a Florida Criminal Case
Before a trial in a criminal case moves forward, the prosecutor and defense will usually engage in discovery practices to assess the factual issues at stake. Depending on the nature of the crime and complexities involved with evidence, the process can take weeks – or even months – because there are many different types… Read More »