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...
In the News
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...
Medical Marijuana Coming to Florida? Only if You Sign the Petition by February 1, 2014
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...
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...
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...
The War on Marijuana in Black and White: Billions of Dollars Wasted
Ask most people whether billions of dollars should be spent arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating people for marijuana offenses and the answer will be a resounding "no." Recent polling in Florida indicates over 70% of the state's voters favor legalizing marijuana...
United States Supreme Court Upholds Warrantless DNA Searches of People Arrested for “Serious” Crimes
In Maryland v. King, ___ U.S. ___ (June 3, 2013) the Court upheld the warrantless swabbing of individuals arrested for what the Court characterized as "serious" offenses. Left open by the Court's decision are the questions of 1) what constitutes a serious offense; and...
William Sheppard, Elizabeth L. White, Matthew R. Kachergus & Bryan E. DeMaggio Admitted to Southern District of Florida
Attorneys William Sheppard, Elizabeth L. White, Matthew R. Kachergus & Bryan E. DeMaggio have been admitted to the Southern District of Florida.
Defending the “Undefendable”: Gary Eldon Alvord
I am often asked why so many criminal defense attorneys oppose the death penalty. Beside the fact that the death penalty is grossly ineffective, with the cost of capital litigation far exceeding that of imprisonment for life, defense practitioners see up close and...