Category Archives: Criminal Law
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
June 8, 2015 In Florida, drug possession a crime and the possession of drug paraphernalia is also unlawful. A defendant may be charged with this crime by itself, or possession of paraphernalia charges may be brought in conjunction with other drug possession or sale charges. What Is Paraphernalia? Florida law defines drug paraphernalia as… Read More »
Coerced Guilty Pleas in Florida
June 5, 2015 In criminal proceedings, a defendant’s plea can be taken back up until the time of sentencing. Once the defendant enters a plea and the court pronounces the sentence, the plea is final and cannot be changed. But if the defendant is coerced into pleading guilty to a crime, he or she… Read More »
Registering as a Sexual Offender in Florida
June 3, 2015 Committing a sexual offense is a serious crime in Florida and has consequences beyond a prison sentence, fine, probation, or treatment program. Sex offenders must also register with their local sheriff’s offices, periodically report to the sheriff’s office, and keep law enforcement updated on their travel outside their counties of residence…. Read More »
Five Substances Added to the Controlled Substances List
May 29, 2015 Five dangerous synthetic cannabinoids have been added to Florida’s list of controlled substances. House Bill 897 passed the Florida legislature unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. It classifies the five drugs as Schedule I controlled substances, effective immediately. Schedule I Schedule I controlled substances have a high… Read More »
What are Lesser Included Offenses?
May 25, 2015 Many criminal charges have less serious charges contained within them; often, a misdemeanor is contained within a felony. These less serious charges are known as lesser included offenses. A person may be charged with both the greater charge and the lesser included offense. If a jury does not find that the… Read More »
Embezzlement in Florida
May 18, 2015 A Brevard County School District employee was arrested recently for embezzling. Natalie Jean Jones, who was employed as a bookkeeper at a middle school, stole over $100,000 from Brevard Public Schools. She would make out legitimate checks to vendors, which would be recorded in a disbursement journal. She would then cancel… Read More »
DUI Without Driving
May 11, 2015 Driving under the influence is a serious crime in Florida. This makes sense, because driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol puts others’ safety and lives at risk. However, you do not actually have to be driving to be convicted of a DUI. Driving Under the Influence Florida law provides that… Read More »
Prostitution Bill Passes Both House and Senate
May 4, 2015 Prostitution is a criminal offense in Florida, but visiting a prostitute is also a crime, and may soon become a more serious one. A bill increasing sentences for soliciting a prostitute has been passed unanimously by both the Florida House and Senate. The goal of the increased sentences is to crack… Read More »
Refusing a Breathalyzer
April 30, 2015 Patricia Ebels, of Naples, a bikini-clad 49-year-old grandmother, was arrested for driving under the influence after rear ending a car stopped at a traffic light. She and her 10-year-old grandson were not injured, but the driver of the other car was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At the scene… Read More »
Juvenile Restitution Bill
April 28, 2015 Under Florida law, victims of crimes have a right to restitution from the people who commit crimes against them. Restitution is the repayment, whether in money or in kind, of the costs and injuries that a crime caused, directly or indirectly. Both adult and juvenile offenders must pay restitution. What Is… Read More »
