Most people accused of a crime have a presumption of innocence that protects them from social judgment and immediate consequences. However, drivers accused of driving under the influence (DUI) offenses often don't receive the benefit of the doubt. The presumption of...
Jacksonville Law Blog
Assault: Here’s what you should know about this charge
In Florida, you can get into deep trouble with the law if you assault another person. Assaults are not taken lightly because they threaten a victim and make them fear that they will be injured or killed. Something that some people don’t realize is that an assault...
When can police search your body during a traffic stop?
Depending on the circumstances in which you encounter law enforcement officers, your civil rights may vary drastically. Many people are not familiar with what rights specifically apply to them during a traffic stop encounter with law enforcement. Confusion about your...
Is it illegal to have sex with a minor who lied about their age?
It is illegal for an adult to have sex with someone who is a minor or below the age of consent. These laws are in place to help prevent adults from seeking out young people who may be easily influenced or unable to make wise decisions on their own -- or who may feel...
Learning from your mistakes is critical when facing charges
People don't just wake up in the morning one day and decide that they're sick of following the rules. Criminal activity is often not a conscious decision but rather the result of a confluence of events that may seem outside of the control of the person involved. Many...
What is white collar crime?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines white collar crime as “The full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals.” While many consider these victimless crimes, if someone is making money through fraud, they are doing it at the...
How do you tell the police that they can’t search your vehicle?
Your parents probably raised you to be respectful toward authority figures. That might put you at a disadvantage during an interaction with law enforcement. If a police officer pulls you over and then asks to search your vehicle, your first instinct might be to say...
Things you should never say during a DUI traffic stop
Even if you’re sober, a police officer could still have reasonable cause to believe that you’re under the influence of alcohol. For example, if you’re swerving all over the road, it gives them reason to believe that something is wrong. If you find yourself face to...
There’s a problem with predictive policing
The idea behind predictive policing is simple: If you know where a crime is most likely to take place, you can go there first. Then you can stop that crime. How do you determine where it will happen? You use computers. You feed them arrest data and criminal activity....
How to reduce the risk of facing date rape charges
Take two people, add one serving of summer spirit and a generous measure of alcohol, and you have a potentially dangerous cocktail. Summer in Florida can create the perfect circumstances for date rape claims when the boundaries get confused. Date rape is commonly used...