Monthly Archives: January 2020
Your Rights in a Stop and Frisk by Florida Police
When you’re strolling down Las Olas Boulevard, the River Front, and other busy streets around Fort Lauderdale, you probably don’t expect to be stopped by police – until it happens to you. One minute you’re minding your own business, and the next you’re subjected to questioning and a pat down of your person. The… Read More »
What’s the Difference Between Bench and Jury Criminal Trials in Florida?
Your life is turned upside down when you’ve been arrested on Florida criminal charges, to the point where you may not even think about the details involved with the process. One issue that may come up is whether your case will proceed through as a bench versus jury trial, terminology that refers to who… Read More »
Florida Laws on Drug Trafficking v. Intent to Distribute
Though many people mistakenly assume that drug trafficking and possession of drugs with intent to sell involve the same or similar charges, Florida law draws a clear distinction between the two. Not only is the difference key to what prosecutors need to prove to support a conviction, but it’s also critical when it comes… Read More »
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 »
5 Quick Facts About Rolling Retests and Your Florida IID
If you’ve been convicted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Florida, there are some scenarios in which you might be ordered to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle. A judge may require an IID for your first drunk driving conviction, but it may also be a factor for subsequent DUIs… 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 »
Overview of Underage Drunk Driving Laws in Florida
Regardless of Florida laws that prohibit individuals under age 21 from drinking alcohol, statistics reveal that drunk driving is still a problem among underage drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that alcohol is a factor in more than one third of fatal crashes involving motorists aged 16-20 years old. A few years… 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 »