In many cases when someone overdoses on illegal drugs, they are with other individuals who have also taken those drugs. These people have not overdosed and could call the authorities to seek help. You also find this situation when young people have been drinking...
Criminal Defense
What are the defenses for discharging a firearm in Florida?
In Florida, there are laws that dictate how you can or cannot use weapons. Discharging a firearm could end up leading to criminal charges, but only in some cases. Any person who discharges a firearm in the street, on a public road or on a highway, for example, could...
What is the mishandling of evidence?
In a criminal case, the mishandling of evidence may result in the case ending in the defendant’s favor. Evidence is the core of any case, so when that evidence goes missing or is mishandled in another way, it’s reasonable to point that out as a part of your defense....
Chain of custody errors and your defense: What to know
If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, the evidence before court plays a significant role in determining the final verdict since it helps the prosecution prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. When the evidence against you is overwhelming, you may think...
Have you been entrapped into a sex act by the police?
You may be stunned and angry after being charged with a child sex crime. Your mind may also be working overtime, trying to pinpoint when this may have happened—but you come up blank. As a police officer begins questioning you, you remember something—but you never...
How to handle it when the police are at the door
The proverbial “cop knock” is distinctive because it’s loud and sharp -- and designed to get your attention. When you hear that noise and look out your door to find the police standing there, what do you do? First, you take a deep breath and calm your nerves. The odds...
How can you challenge the evidence in a criminal case?
If the police charge you with a crime, they need evidence to back up their claims. That could be verbal evidence given by an eyewitness, or physical evidence, such as a gun used to shoot someone. Finding a way to challenge the validity of that evidence may be crucial...
Can you legally pick up a prescription for a friend?
Imagine being stopped by the police with a bottle of pills on your passenger seat. The officer asks who they’re for, and you say they’re for a friend. They check the bottle, and it’s not in your name despite being a controlled substance. Can they arrest you? Will you...
Here is what Florida law says about aggravated assault
When you are facing criminal charges, it is often not clear what the charges imply and the potential consequences you could face. One thing for sure, however, is battery or felony charges attract stiff penalties in Florida. And the potential penalties for aggravated...
Common white-collar crimes committed in Florida
Many terms have come to be associated with white-collar crime. Some of these include “crimes of the powerful,” "economic crime," "upper world crime" and “abuse of power.” In a digital age where information flows all around us, white-collar crime is often more...