If organizers are successful, Floridians will have the opportunity to vote to amend the Constitution of Florida to allow ill Floridians legal access to medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. United for Care, a grassroots organization, is currently...
Year: 2013
Domestic Violence Injunctions and Their Consequences
Injunctions, sometimes referred to as "restraining orders," are court orders prohibiting an individual from having contact with the alleged victim of violence. The individual seeking protection who files the petition for injunction is called the "Petitioner," and the...
“Lack of Remorse” Cannot be Used to Aggravate a Sentence Imposed Under the State Sentencing Guidelines
An issue which frequently arises at a criminal sentencing hearing is whether or not the defendant has shown "remorse." It has been our experience that most individuals charged with an offense are, in fact, remorseful. If a person elects to require the State to prove...
Services Held for Gary Alvord
This weekend, members of the firm participated in a Powa service in the memory of Gary Alvord, their client who died of natural causes, after spending almost forty years on Florida's death row. The firm would like to thank members of the Meitreya Kadampa Buddhist...
Pro Bono Attorneys Teach Trial Practice for Legal Services Attorneys
Sheppard, White, & Kachergus was recently mentioned in the Jacksonville Daily Record for the pro bono work that we do: Pro bono attorneys of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACOTL) presented a trial practice training seminar for sixteen legal services staff...
Niles v. State: First District Reverses Conviction Based Upon Denial of Speedy Trial
On September 12, 2013, the First District Court of Appeals reversed Mr. Niles' conviction for lewd and lascivious molestation on the grounds that he was denied his right to speedy trial. This appeal was litigated and argued by Mr. Sheppard with Ms. White as his...
Bill Sheppard Argues Veteran Preference in Employment Before Third District Court of Appeal
As a veteran of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Sheppard has spent many years fighting for the rights of this country's veterans. Although returning veterans are entitled by law in Florida to preference in hiring, retention and promotion by state and local governments, these...
When Silence is Not Golden: Failure to Invoke the Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
Most people are aware they have a Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination when they are being questioned by law enforcement. What many people do not know, however, is that in some circumstances, the privilege must be expressly involved and, if it is not...
William Sheppard, Elizabeth White, & Matthew Kachergus Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
Mr. Sheppard, Ms. White and Mr. Kachergus have been recognized best attorneys in their fields (white collar criminal defense, non-white collar criminal defense and appellate practice). Additionally, Mr. Sheppard has been recognized in Best Lawyers in five categories:...
Bill Sheppard Nominated for Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame
Section 760.065, Florida Statutes, creates the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame. Recently, the Florida Commission on Human Relations has selected its top nominees for induction and has forwarded those names to the Governor for consideration. Mr. Sheppard is humbled...