Category Archives: Criminal
How Getting Bail Affects the Outcome of a Florida Criminal Case
Criminal justice reform in Florida typically focuses on reducing the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing and over-incarceration, with little attention to another major topic: Unfairness in the bail process and practices for suspects. In recent years, it’s become common for individuals to be held in jail pending their trial because they can’t afford or… Read More »
Leaving the Scene of an Auto Accident is a Crime in Florida
It can be tempting to leave the scene of an accident in Florida, especially if there were only minor injuries and minimal damage to vehicles. You may not want to go through the hassles of waiting for police, filling out paperwork, and dealing with insurance companies when the collision is little more than a… Read More »
The Latest on CBD Oil Under Florida Law
Ever since the US Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances in late 2018, Florida has been in a state of limbo regarding how to regulate the plant’s derivatives – particularly the increasingly popular cannabidiol (CBD). Fortunately, the state recently followed suit to align state law with the federal statute. According… Read More »
Overview of Sex Offender Probation in Florida
If you’ve been arrested for certain sex crimes and meet eligibility rules, you may qualify for a form of sex offender probation in Florida that allows you to avoid jail time by complying with the legal terms and conditions. The prosecuting attorney may be willing to make the recommendation, and the judge could be… Read More »
Key Terms in a Florida Criminal Case and What They Mean
Do you know what it means to be arrested…but not charged? Can you be charged but not convicted? What’s the difference between a dismissal and an acquittal? With all the legal terminology that’s tossed around in the Florida criminal process, it’s hard to understand your rights. Still, you really need to be familiar with… Read More »
Objections You May Hear in a Florida Criminal Case
If you’ve ever watched coverage of a trial on TV or in films, you’ve no doubt experienced the drama that grips the courtroom when an attorney stands up and shouts “Objection.” While it makes for a great storyline in fictional accounts, objections are essential tools in a criminal trial. The point is to keep… Read More »
Florida Woman, 4 Children Dead: Will Suspect Face Federal Charges?
The story of the mysterious disappearance of a Marion County, FL woman and her four young children came to a tragic end when the bodies of all five victims were discovered many miles away in rural Georgia. According to a September 16, 2019 article in the Miami Herald, none of the individuals had been… Read More »
No Death Penalty in Amato Case
A high profile murder case in Florida came to an end recently, as a man who was found guilty of First-Degree Murder received a sentence of life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty. According to an August 15, 2019 article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, jurors need just three hours to… Read More »
Overview of Florida’s Criminal Trespass Laws
You may not think too much about wandering onto someone else’s property, so you could be shocked to learn that this is a big deal under Florida law on criminal trespass. The basic description of the crime is willfully entering or remaining on real property without the owner’s permission, or returning to the location… Read More »
School’s Back in Session for Florida Colleges
Classes will soon be in session at the numerous colleges and universities around South Florida, drawing in some students who are experiencing life outside the supervision of their parents for the first time. As you might expect, these young individuals can make mistakes, many of which can result in criminal consequences. If you’re one… Read More »