Category Archives: Criminal Law
Collateral Consequences of Crime – Part 1
February 12, 2015 When we think about the consequences of being convicted of a crime, the first things that likely come to mind are imprisonment, fines, and probation. But, criminal convictions can have many other consequences as well. Some of these consequences, such as the loss of civil liberties, loss of driving privileges, or housing… Read More »
Defenses to Drug Possession
February 1, 2015 Being charged with the possession of drugs is frightening. In addition to the legal penalties—whether probation, fines, or incarceration—come the collateral costs. A conviction for a drug offense can deter possible employers, make it more difficult to obtain professional licenses, cause loss of eligibility for welfare benefits or student loans, and… Read More »
The Consequences of Marijuana Possession
January 28, 2015 A conviction for drug possession can be devastating and life-altering. The serious consequences of this crime mean that it is very important to understand the nature of the crime. In Florida, drug possession is the offense of holding, but not manufacturing or selling, a controlled substance, presumably for personal use. To… Read More »
Probable Cause: an Overview
January 21, 2015 Probable cause is the standard by which officers of the law determine whether they have grounds to obtain an arrest or search warrant, to arrest without a warrant, or to charge someone with a crime. The probable cause standard is guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution: “The… Read More »
Have You Been Charged With a Criminal Offense? The Importance of Being Represented
January 19, 2015 If you are under criminal investigation or have been charged with a crime, you are probably feeling nervous, afraid, and overwhelmed. Your whole world may be upended. The legal world is complex and difficult to understand, and if you get it wrong, the consequences can be devastating—fines, community service, probation, or… Read More »
Juvenile Adjudication
January 12, 2015 Two teenage sweethearts were arrested in Panama City Beach, Florida, on Sunday, January 18th, after a crime spree across the South. Dalton Haynes, eighteen, and his girlfriend, Cheyenne Phillips, thirteen, had run away from their Kentucky hometown earlier this month and were spotted in South Carolina and Georgia, stealing vehicles and… Read More »
A Proposed Amendment to the Expungement of Juvenile Criminal Records
January 8, 2015 The expungement of juvenile criminal records may soon become easier in Florida. State representative Mia Jones has introduced a new bill, HB 205, to the Florida House of Representatives to amend the state’s juvenile criminal record laws. What Is Expungement? In Florida, the public has the right to access a person’s… Read More »
The Legality of DUI Sign Checkpoint Tactics
January 5, 2015 Though police officers normally need to have probable cause to stop a vehicle, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz that DUI checkpoints, in which police officers can stop vehicles and briefly question drivers without probable cause to believe that the drivers are impaired, are… Read More »
