Recent Blog Posts
Aggravated vs. Simple Assault in Florida: The Danger of an Inconsistent Verdict
In Florida as in most states, there is a difference between aggravated and simple assault. One of the most common ways to raise an assault charge from a simple assault to an aggravated assault is the use of a firearm (or other deadly weapon) in the course of the commission of the crime. The defendant’s possession of a… Read More »
Fort Lauderdale Man Charged with Attempted Murder for Firing on Teens Who Tried to Steal Cars from His Auto Dealership
On May 28, 2014, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported that Mr. Jonas Charles, the owner of an automobile dealership, had been arrested on charges of attempted murder for firing a gun at several teenagers who were trying to rob him. In a previous incident, thieves stole two cars right off the lot of Mr…. Read More »
Getting a Fair Trial in Florida When You Have a Prior DUI Conviction
If you have a prior DUI conviction in which you refused to submit to sobriety testing, how do you ensure that you get a fair trial on a new DUI charge—one that will be based on the evidence of whether or not you drove under the influence, not whether you’ve done so in the past? Under… Read More »
The Supreme Court’s Death Penalty Decision in Hall v. Florida
On Tuesday of this week, the U.S. Supreme Court reached a decision in Hall v. Florida, the case concerning the constitutionality of Florida’s policy for determining when a person is ineligible for the death penalty by reason of intellectual disability. Since the early 2000s, Florida’s policy had been that anyone who scored above a 70 on… Read More »
Gun And Weapons Charges In Florida
Recent news events put the State of Florida in the spotlight when it comes to gun ownership and control. The split of opinion as to the right to self-defense and when defense goes too far divides the country. The laws surrounding gun ownership are many and are sometimes hard to understand — when left… Read More »
Sex Crimes
Few other crimes carry the social stigma and damage to reputation as sex crimes. Charges of rape, lewd acts and sex with a minor threaten your family relationships, continued employment and freedom. Defense against these crimes takes an attorney with the determination to present your case in the best possible light, when other lawyers… Read More »
What Can I Expect From A Criminal Defense Attorney?
Criminal cases start with an offense and an arrest. The arrest warrant is issued by a judge who has examined the case and made a determination as to whether a warrant for arrest should be issued. Two of the things judges review when they decide whether to issue a warrant are: That a complaint… Read More »
What Happens At A Preliminary Hearing?
The preliminary hearing is the first time you appear in court, before the judge. After being charged with a crime, you must stand before the judge to hear the charges against you. The judge reads off the charges, advises you of your legal rights (such as the right to an attorney of your choice)… Read More »
Will My Record Ever Be Clean Again?
Under certain circumstances, you can “erase” charges from your criminal record. The method for accomplishing this is called expungement — an important procedure when re-entering the workforce or seeking reinstatement of driving privileges. For those seeking a clean slate, using an attorney familiar with the process is crucial. In Ft. Lauderdale, call defense attorney… Read More »
What Is The Legal Limit For Drunk Driving?
Blood-alcohol content, or BAC, is the percentage of alcohol in your bloodstream. The metric used is expressed as a percentage to define what percent of your blood, by volume, is actually alcohol. Charges of DUI depend on the BAC at the time of arrest. Law enforcement officers use methods such as a Breathalyzer to… Read More »