Recent Blog Posts
New Bill to Protect Witness Information from Public Disclosure: Does it Run Afoul of the First Amendment?
In the criminal justice system, there is generally a balance that must be struck between the rights of the people and the right for the state or government to interfere with these rights. Many times there must be give and take, especially when a law may or may not align with the rights of… Read More »
Wrongful Conviction Compensation Now Tax-Free
The extent in which technology has advanced over the last two decades has led to a significant increase in wrongful convictions exonerating the criminal defendant. Many states have been reassessing their current wrongful conviction compensation plans that provide restitution to criminal defendant for years served as a result of the conviction. Unfortunately for many,… Read More »
Air Pollution May Be Linked to Increases in Violent Crime
Criminals are understood as to be those who function outside of a coexistent society. They are defined as “deviants” and “outsiders” because society paints criminals to be unable to fit into our society without some form of rehabilitation or the use of punishment to deter unacceptable actions. However, there are studies put forth that… Read More »
Predictive Analytics Tool May Be Useful to Identifying At-Risk Youth and Limiting Prison Overpopulation
Florida juveniles have been the center of Florida’s overhaul to its criminal justice system in the last couple of years. More and more programs have been put into place not only to help youth that are in situations that predispose them to commit crimes, but also for the long-term benefit of limiting overcrowding in… Read More »
The Rules Behind the Admissibility of Evidence and Technology’s Effect
In criminal proceedings, introducing evidence is the most integral part of the proceeding. The type of evidence and its relevancy can make the difference in a case by determining whether a criminal defendant will be acquitted of the offense or convicted. This makes the practice of determining relevant and admissible evidence extremely important as… Read More »
Reduction in Juvenile Arrests Due to Diversion Programs Promoted by the State
Being a criminal defendant in the Florida criminal system can be very confusing and difficult. Many are unfamiliar with the charges being brought against them and even fewer are really aware of the possible conviction consequences that may be applied to them for past indiscretions. Sadly, being a juvenile in the Florida criminal justice… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court To Review State Laws Criminalizing Driver’s Refusal for Warrantless Blood-Alcohol Tests
Drunk driving has been increasingly criminalized and punished over the last two decades. The safety of our society dictates that harsh punishments should be meted out to those who threaten that safety because they drive while intoxicated. Recently, the extent to which states criminalize drinking and driving has begun to be scrutinized to determine… Read More »
The Inadvertent Use of Technology to Out Drivers Involved in Hit-and-Runs
Over the last two decades, the revving up of technological advances has changed the way that we live our lives. Our technology and the GPS-systems that are included in many of our electronic devices have a way of monitoring our behavior for the better or for the worse. Courts have begun to use the… Read More »
Arson Convictions Are Being Overturned Due to New Arson Forensic Methodology
In criminal prosecutions, the prosecutor and the defense attorney spend time aggregating evidence to prove the guilt or innocence, respectively, of the defendant at the heart of the issue. The compiling of evidence can be a slow game, especially when there is very little evidence to be had. For crimes like murder or rape,… Read More »
The Psychology and Contagion of Mass Shootings
In the United States at this moment in time, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of mass shootings and domestic terrorism. Each day it seems that our media is reporting on another violent incident or another active shooter situation that makes people wonder: what is going on? Where are these people… Read More »