Author Archives: Jay Butchko
The Latest Fraud Scam in Florida: “Forced Sale”
A couple was finally apprehended after weeks of scamming retailers under a credit card scheme across several states. Numerous charges are still coming as authorities continue to investigate in a coordinated effort, but the couple is currently in custody in Walton County, Florida, according to ABC affiliate WKRG News 5. The pair jilted businesses… Read More »
Unregistered Sex Offender Apprehended at McDonald’s Drive-Through
Being inebriated and falling asleep at the wheel at a McDonald’s drive-through can lead to serious consequences for drunk driving. However, doing so as an unregistered sex offender can really get you in legal trouble in Florida. As the Miami Herald reported, a man passed out after placing an order at the fast food… Read More »
19 Arrested on Multiple Charges in Volusia County Meth Ring
An investigation that began in July finally came to a conclusion in late October 2016 as 19 individuals were arrested in connection with operation of a methamphetamine operation. According to Central Florida’s ABC affiliate WFTV News 9, the ring and its two kingpins had been distributing meth for over five years at a rate… Read More »
What May Be Grounds for a New Trial in Florida?
Two recent criminal cases recently made headlines in Florida, but not because of the extreme or controversial nature of the crimes. Courts in two different counties granted new trials for: Jim Duncan, who had been previously sentenced to 70 years in prison, as reported by CNN; and, Jacob John Dougan, Jr., who has already… Read More »
Pre-Arrest Diversion Programs for Juvenile Offenders
Florida TaxWatch, a non-governmental watchdog group that focuses on efficient use of the state’s tax payer dollars, recently released results of a study covering juvenile pre-arrest diversion programs. The report demonstrated that these programs, officially termed “civil citations” under Florida law, are effective in reducing taxpayer investment in matters involving children committing certain non-violent… Read More »
Comparing Florida and Federal Gun Laws
Orlando’s News Channel 6 recently got a rare, up close look at a cache of guns, firearm accessories, and other weapons confiscated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The munitions are stored at a warehouse in Central Florida, and were taken off the streets from people who had either stolen… Read More »
Probable Cause Affidavit for Arrest in Florida Sex Crimes
A couple was recently arrested for sex crimes in Florida after the teen victim alerted authorities to ongoing incidents of abuse, according to a report published by Tampa Bay’s ABC Action News. Police opened the investigation in June after the girl called police, and charges were filed against the man and his wife based… Read More »
What is Probable Cause in a Florida DUI Case?
A Tarpon Springs woman is facing drunk driving charges after officers arrested her for multiple traffic violations. The Naples Daily News recounted the details of the story, where the woman was driving the wrong way down a Florida highway for three miles and caused a minor collision with a vehicle that swerved to avoid… Read More »
Statute of Limitations on Florida Criminal Cases: An Overview
Officials at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale must have been shocked when they received a call from an out-of-state police department, stating that a man was confessing to a murder he committed in 2002. As reported by Fox News, the man has been extradited to Florida to face charges in the… Read More »
Theft Crimes in Florida: What’s the Difference?
The story sounds like something out of a comedy: A man was busted with a theft crime as he was riding his bicycle in a Florida neighborhood. The item in question was a milk crate he had attached to his bike for carrying groceries and other shopping purchases. The man claimed he found the… Read More »