If you have been charged with a crime, you will have to make many important decisions regarding your defense. Perhaps the most basic question you need to answer is, "Should I take my case to trial or have the matter settled with a plea bargain?"There are a number of...
When Your Life Is On The Line
Criminal Defense
False accusations may overshadow your college experience
An accusation of sexual misconduct on campus is not something you should take lightly. From the moment the person filed the complaint with the college Title IX department, your future was in jeopardy. You may think everything will be fine because you know you are...
Death penalty decision could mean major changes in Florida
Six deaths, reportedly cold and calculated. Five children and their mother, the confessed killer's wife. If you have watched the news routinely in the past six years, you are probably familiar with hearing about the atrocity. It is almost impossible to wrap your mind...
What can I do to fight my felony conviction?
If you have been convicted of a felony crime it is expected that the light of hope you have clung to may falter. But it is important that you do not let it extinguish.There are several reasons why your future is still yours to take back. If you are innocent, you are...
Florida sheriff’s deputy charged with manslaughter
Not everyone who is accused of a crime is the stereotypical "hardened criminal type." Anyone is capable of breaking the law, including those charged with upholding it; and when they are so accused, they can face the same potentially severe penalties as the average...
Florida Senate considers “stand your ground” changes
In July of this year the Florida Supreme Court held that anyone seeking to use the "stand your ground" defense in this state -- which allows for the use of deadly force without a duty to retreat in cases where those using the defense claim that it was necessary to use...
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear FL cellphone warrant case
We have posted on the topic of whether and how the government can use cell phone location information as a means of tracking your location, most recently in connection with the use by law enforcement of "Stingray" devices. Now in its refusal to hear an appeal of a...
Can your pre-arrest silence be held against you?
"You have the right to remain silent." This begins the recitation by police of the various "Miranda rights" that they must give to a person they are placing under arrest. But what about when the silence of the suspect was being exercised before being informed of his...
Plea negotiations to avoid mandatory minimum sentences
Judges are supposed to have the discretion to impose penalties after a criminal conviction that is appropriate given the circumstances of the defendant and the facts of the case. Mandatory minimum sentencing requirements for some criminal charges in Florida remove...
What you post on the Internet could have long-term consequences
Changes and additions to the criminal laws in Florida that are designed for the protection of victims of domestic violence and for the prevention of harassment over the Internet may have long-term consequences if you are charged with violating them. The laws restrict...
