First degree murder is punishable by mandatory life or the death penalty. An individual accused of first degree murder is entitled to have their case heard by a twelve-person jury. The jury's verdict must be unanimous in Florida. An accused commits first degree murder...
Month: February 2014
Bloggers, the First Amendment And Cyber-Stalking
Where there once was the town-crier, today there is the internet. Those unhappy with a person or business now have, as they should, the means to express their dissatisfaction to all who choose to view their complaints on the web. Many people are under the mistaken...
Should a Citizen be Barred From Voting? When Criminal Punishment Impacts Civil Rights
Did you know that in the State of Florida, ten percent of the population is ineligible to vote because of the ban against allowing convicted felons from voting? Any felony is a disqualifier. A non-violent offender who has received a straight probationary sentence...
Bill Sheppard and Betsy White Published in the Florida Historical Quarterly
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida was established in 1962. During its existence, numerous important civil rights and constitutional cases have been litigated in its courtrooms. Bill Sheppard and Betsy White have been fortunate to be...
Capital Sexual Battery and the Statute of Limitations
If Woody Allen lived in Florida, could he be prosecuted for an alleged sexual offense which occurred over 21 years ago? If his actions constitute capital sexual battery, the answer is yes. Under the express language of §775.15(1), Fla. Stat. (2013), a prosecution for...
Stand Your Ground Defense Applies Even if the Alleged Victim Is Unarmed
Florida's Stand Your Ground Law (SYGL) (§776.032, Fla. Stat. (2013) gives a person both immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability from the use of deadly force when he or she believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily...
I Got Busted in Jacksonville: Now What?
If you are arrested in Jacksonville, you will be taken to the John E.Goode Pre-Trial Detention Facility, otherwise known as the Jail. The jail is a multi-story beige complex located at 500 East Adams Street, between Bay and Adams in downtown Jacksonville. Our office...
Stand Your Ground Defense Applies Even if the Alleged Victim Is Unarmed
Florida's Stand Your Ground Law (SYGL) (§776.032, Fla. Stat. (2013) gives a person both immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability from the use of deadly force when he or she believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily...