Recent Blog Posts
The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015
Reform is on its way for the criminal justice system. Judges, prosecutors, and police officials are pushing toward greater change in federal sentencing and overhauling and cutting mandatory minimums for drug offenses. The fear is that drug offense punishments, more so than any other crime, are not only extremely harsh on the offenders, but… Read More »
Inmate Access to Internet: Is it a Constitutional Right?
Technology has had a significant impact over our society, for better and for worse. Access to the Internet has been used for good and bad purposes, and such an incredible tool can make a significant difference to a person’s life. Technology is slowly but surely coming to the prison system, as more or more… Read More »
Can the Government Freeze Untainted Assets that the Defendant Will Use to Hire Counsel?
When arrested for a crime, a criminal defendant, before going to his/her criminal proceeding, has fundamental rights that are constitutionally protected. The Fifth and Sixth Amendment provide that all criminal defendants have a right to counsel, and if they cannot afford one, an attorney must be provided by the state, especially when conviction could… Read More »
Our TVs Are Listening…What About Our Consumer Rights?
Today’s technological age has birthed thousands of devices, innovated, designed, and created to make our life more simple and bring us into the new tech age. What comes with simplicity, however, includes legal complexity as we realize that with every fantastic addition made to our electronic devices comes some sort of drawback that may… Read More »
Jailhouse Snitch Information Testimony: The Admissibility Issues
When convicted of capital crimes, defendants face significant, harsh, life and death punishments. With so much on the line, every bit of evidence considered admissible can tilt the jury to decide the fate of a capital defendant. Jailhouse snitches, or informants, are considered the leading cause for wrongful convictions in capital crimes. It was… Read More »
Witness Tampering and the Hearsay Exception
When there are serious allegations against you through the form of witness testimony, it can be tempting to do anything to make it go away. However, intimidating a witness or attempting to bribe a witness so that he or she will recant his/her statement is not only not an option, but also comes with… Read More »
Florida Department of Corrections Agrees to Settle with the Disability Rights of Florida in Inmate Mistreatment Lawsuit
Disability Rights of Florida had a major win recently when the Florida Department of Corrections settled the lawsuit filed by the disability rights group opposing treatment of mentally ill inmates incarcerated in the Florida prison system. The Disability Rights of Florida filed actions against the Florida Department of Corrections after a series of incidences… Read More »
The Gender Battles: Female Felons Join the Ranks
Media and entertainment has dictated the way that we as a society perceive “criminals” and “felons”. The movie and TV industry has painted a portrait that portrays the qualities and characteristics that resonate with us and the images that we have in the mind’s eye when we think of violent criminals. Generally we think… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Decides Firearm Transfer Policy from Felons
A recent U.S. Supreme Court case has finally settled a long debate regarding gun rights and legislation regarding felon weapon-possession and transfer rights. The U.S. Supreme Court found that a federal law that provides that felons are not allowed to possess firearms may transfer or sell their guns to a third party as long… Read More »
Revenge Porn Bill Lands on Governor Rick Scott’s Desk
Scorned lovers should now be on notice that they must be careful and cognizant of the type of social media posts that they might consider publishing about an ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. After reaching both chambers of the Florida Legislature, Governor Rick Scott received a bill that would criminalize the spreading and/or publishing of sexually… Read More »