When you encounter the police while out in public, you may not know what to do. Even if you haven't broken the law, the unexpected scrutiny of an authority figure might make you very nervous. Knowing what your rights are during an encounter with the police in a public...
Jacksonville Law Blog
When can the police stop you on suspicion of DUI?
Police officers have a duty to keep the roads safe. One thing that this entails is making sure that there aren’t any impaired drivers putting others in danger. Unfortunately, this often means that they will stop vehicles even when the motorist isn’t intoxicated. ...
What if the police find someone else’s drugs in your car?
Knowing your rights and standing up for them are two very different things. You probably know that the police can't just search your stuff without probable cause, a warrant or permission. Still, during a traffic stop, compliance is often someone's first instinct. If...
Could recreational marijuana become legal in Florida?
The road to marijuana legalization has been a slow one in Florida. Medical marijuana has only been legal since 2017, and even that has only been legal in smokable form since 2019. Now, two Florida state legislators are trying once again to legalize marijuana for...
What can you do if the cops show up at your door wanting to talk?
Police officers help to enforce the law, and they help investigate potential breaches of the law. Enforcement activities might include arresting someone or intervening during a crime in progress. Investigation activities include questioning people, looking for...
How do prosecutors decide between filing simple and aggravated assault charges?
Most jurisdictions, including Florida, have two types of assault charges on the law books: Simple and aggravated. The circumstances surrounding your alleged offense will dictate how prosecutors will charge you. Understanding the difference between the two charges is...
Florida’s Supreme Court dismantles death penalty safeguards
“I could not dissent more strongly.” Those were the words of Florida Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga as he penned his opposition to the court’s latest decision. It was just one of many decisions by the court in recent months that have, essentially, gutted the...
Could drug court help you?
Many people who are facing drug possession charges are addicted to the substance they were found to be in possession of. Unfortunately, addiction isn’t a reason for the person to break the law. This means that they might still face criminal charges for having the...
States begin making cyber flashing illegal
Cyber flashing is the act of sending explicit pictures to people who do not want them or at least have not asked to see them. This is a common action on some dating sites, and some people see it as a way to “spice up” the conversation. However, following complaints...
You should know your Fourth Amendment rights
If you are accused of possessing drugs or selling them to others, it is essential that you have a strong defense. One of the amendments that you should understand well is the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment is important in drug-related cases because it gives...