Category Archives: Criminal
FAQs About Florida Police Searches in Your Absence
If you live in an apartment, condo, or other arrangement where you share residential space with others, you definitely place a certain amount of trust with these individuals. You’d never be OK with a roommate who steals, ruins your things, or threatens your loved ones. However, there’s a scenario you’d probably never even consider… Read More »
Pitfalls and Precautions on Going Pro Se in a Florida Criminal Case
When you’ve been charged with a crime in Florida and are considering your options for legal representation, you may be tempted to go pro se – represent yourself – during various stages of your case. Since the enactment of the Judiciary Act of 1789, individuals have had the constitutional right to handle their own… Read More »
Do I Need to Hire My Own Attorney to Fight Embezzlement Charges?
When you hear the term embezzlement, you may think of an offense that only applies to high-powered corporate executives and stockbrokers on Wall Street. While it is considered a white collar crime, this particular form of misconduct is far more complicated than typical fraud charges. Plus, because of its unique characteristics, you can run… Read More »
Florida’s Criminal Justice System: Roles and Responsibilities
The criminal justice system is comprised of multiple agencies and processes, established by the federal, state, and local governments, to address criminal activity. It encompasses the US Constitution and state equivalents, as well as statutory law, case precedent, and procedural rules. Together, these bodies of law define what constitutes a crime, dictate case proceedings,… Read More »
What Is the Veterans Treatment Court in Florida?
If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Florida, you probably assume that your sentence will include the typical sanctions of the traditional criminal justice system: Jail time, fines, probation, community service, and other punishment. However, if you’re a military veteran and meet some basic eligibility rules, you may be able to work out… Read More »
Common Questions About Downward Departures in Florida Criminal Cases
If you’ve been arrested on criminal charges, you may already be wondering about the sentence you’ll face for a conviction. While you’re probably aware that the severity of the crime affects your jail time and fines, you may not know the details about how sentencing works in Florida. Depending on the offense, a judge… Read More »
How Florida Police Get False Confessions in Criminal Cases
The concept of a false confession is rarely as obvious as what you see on TV or in film, where a hard-headed detective harasses a suspect into admitting to criminal activity. In the real-life criminal justice system, police may use more subtle ways to get you to talk – which could potentially lead to… Read More »
Can I Remove an Old Warrant in a Florida Criminal Case?
Not all encounters with the Florida criminal justice system start with an arrest and taking you away in handcuffs. In some situations, a warrant will be issued against you for various reasons, possibly – but not always – involving an arrest. Regardless of the underlying circumstances, many people don’t fully understand how warrants work… Read More »
How “Pleading the 5th” Works in Florida
You’ve no doubt heard the phrase “plead the 5th,” but do you may not know the full history behind it and its application to your civil rights. Generally, you may make this claim when you need to exercise your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The language in the US Constitution, and the parallel provision… Read More »
Can I be Arrested for Spiking Someone’s Drink?
Though it may seem like an innocent prank on someone at a bar, spiking a drink could actually constitute a serious offense with extremely harsh penalties under state law. Florida’s anti-tampering statute is an older one, and it has been the subject of many claims that it’s unconstitutional because the language is extremely vague…. Read More »