Recent Blog Posts
Reviewing the Constitutionality of School Searches on the Anniversary of Parkland Shooting
The February 14, 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL was an unimaginable tragedy, which prompted officials throughout the US to consider and implement stricter gun control. The incident also raised important questions about security measures at school, where bullying, beatings, and other violence are also far too prevalent. Many institutions,… Read More »
Perjury is a Crime Under Florida Law
You may assume that there’s some truth to the old adage: No harm can come from a little white lie. However, this saying is quite the opposite in a real-life scenario. In fact, making false or misleading statements under oath – otherwise termed “perjury” – can even be a felony under certain circumstances. A… Read More »
Use of Force in Defending Property is Very Different from Self-Defense in Florida
There are a multitude of stories in the news about individuals claiming self-defense to fight criminal charges when they were attacked by someone else. “Stand Your Ground” and the “Castle Doctrine” are defenses available when you use force to protect yourself or another person from bodily harm. Fewer stories about defense of property in… Read More »
Florida Shoplifting Charges are More Serious Than You Think
Shoplifting may seem like a minor crime, especially if you just slip a candy bar in your pocket or put a t-shirt under your clothes before you walk out of the store without paying. The truth is that Florida treats these cases very seriously, since shoplifting costs US business owners billions of dollars every… Read More »
Aggravated Crimes Versus Aggravating Circumstances in Florida Criminal Cases
Though the two words may seem similar in everyday usage, aggravated and aggravating have very different meanings under Florida criminal laws. There is a lot of confusion over aggravated crimes and aggravating circumstances, and for good reason: These concepts are extremely complex if you do not have a legal background. You can rely on… Read More »
Guide to Understanding Illegal Search and Seizure Laws
Both the US Bill of Rights and Florida Declaration of Rights provide you with constitutional protections against illegal search and seizure. These provisions are central to criminal law, and may arise in almost any type of encounter with police. Still, though the language may seem simple and straightforward, the relevant concepts are extremely complex…. Read More »
How Does My “Business Purposes Only” Driver’s License Work in Florida?
Any violation of Florida’s drunk driving laws means an automatic suspension of your driver’s license, so may not be able to legally operate a vehicle for a minimum 180 days – even for a first-time offense. However, If you are eligible and retain a skilled Florida DUI defense attorney to assist, a court could… Read More »
How an Attorney Can Help with Broward County, FL Traffic Violations
Every year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues its Annual Uniform Traffic Citation Report. The 2017 version of the report for Broward County reveals that: Police issued 74,557 tickets for speeding; There were 7,472 citations for failure to stop at a sign; and, More than 7,400 tickets were given out… Read More »
Florida’s Schedule of Controlled Substances: Overview and Examples
Like other US states, violations of Florida’s drug laws are based upon the type and amount of drug, and the criminal activity associated with it. Possession, sale, production, and trafficking are all unlawful for most drugs; the nature of the punishment for a conviction depends on where the drug falls within Florida’s schedule of… Read More »
Classification of Internet Crimes in Florida
You may have noticed an increase in the number of arrests and convictions for internet offenses, both in Florida and across the US. What you may not realize is that the term “internet crimes” encompasses a wider range of activities than you would expect. The list of the specific Computer-Related Crimes in Florida is… Read More »