Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can You Face Jail Time For A Misdemeanor In Florida?
Misdemeanor offenses are less serious than felony offenses. That being said, it would be a tremendous error to view a misdemeanor as “a small issue.” The reality is that misdemeanors can carry serious criminal consequences, potentially even significant jail time. In this article, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer provides a detailed overview of the… Read More »
Florida Couple Arrested In Connection With Alleged $2 Million COVID-19 Fraud
According to a report from ABC News, a Florida couple is facing felony charges in connection with a multi-million dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme. Timothy Craig Jolloff and Lisa Ann Jolloff 56—both of Southwest Florida—are facing federal charges for obtaining an unlawful Economic Injury Disaster Loan. In this blog post, our Orlando white collar criminal… Read More »
Orlando Woman Arrested And Charged With DUI After Crashing Vehicle Into Water
According to a report from Click Orlando, an Orlando woman has been arrested and charged with a DUI offense after a crash in Central Florida. She was deemed to be highly intoxicated at the time of the accident. Here, our Orlando DUI defense attorney explains what we know about this case and provides an… Read More »
Challenging Probable Cause In Drug Possession Cases: Insights From Orlando Defense Lawyer
Were you arrested and charged with drug possession? It is a serious criminal matter that can carry stiff penalties—potentially even a lengthy prison sentence. You have the right to defend yourself against a drug possession charge. Challenging probable cause is one of several possible defense strategies. In this article, our Orlando drug possession defense… Read More »
Can You Be Charged With Embezzlement In Florida If You Are Not An Employee?
Embezzlement is a serious white collar offense. It involves a person abusing a position of trust to steal money or property. While a significant number of embezzlement charges are filed against employees, you can be arrested and charged with embezzlement even if you are not an employee of the alleged victim. Here, our Orlando… Read More »
Women Arrested In Seminole County For DUI Crash With Children In The Car
According to a report from Click Orlando, a woman in Seminole County has been arrested and charged with intoxicated driving. Notably, she reportedly had five children in the car at the time of the incident. Yubetty Baez Collazo is now facing several serious criminal charges. Within this article, our Orlando DUI defense lawyer explains… Read More »
Man Arrested At Orlando Airport For Putting Police Officer In Chokehold
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a man from Ohio was placed under arrest after putting an officer of the Orlando Police Department in a chokehold while at the Orlando International Airport. A video of the incident has been released to the public. Edward Hariston, 41, is facing several serious criminal charges,… Read More »
Criminal Law: What Does “Reasonable Doubt” Actually Mean?
Were you arrested and charged with a crime in Florida? You have the right to defend yourself. A criminal charge is not the same thing as a criminal conviction. Every person charged with a crime in Florida is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Beyond that, it is the prosecution that has the duty to… Read More »
Arrest Made After Stolen Vehicle Chase Ends In Central Florida
According to reporting from Click Orlando, an arrest of a man was made after a stolen vehicle chase ended in Osceola County. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reports that the person—whose name was not made public—barricaded themselves within the vehicle at the end of the chase. Notably, vehicle thefts have been on the rise… Read More »
Should I Accept A Plea Agreement In A Drunk Driving Case In Florida?
Intoxicated driving is unlawful in Florida. Under state law (Florida Statute § 316.193), even a first-time DUI offense could potentially result in jail time. This raises an important question: Does it make sense to accept a plea deal in a criminal intoxicated driving case? Within this article, our Orlando DUI defense attorney explains the… Read More »
Who Is Allowed To File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit In Florida?
Was your loved one killed in a fatal accident? It is one of the most heartbreaking and gut-wrenching things that any person can ever be forced to endure. A civil wrongful death claim provides a legal remedy. Families can bring a claim to seek justice, closure, and financial support to help them through a… Read More »
Criminal Law In Florida: What Is An Arraignment?
Were you or a loved one arrested for a criminal offense in Florida? If so, it is entirely normal to feel stressed out and unsure of where to turn next. It is helpful to have a general understanding of the criminal justice process, including the arraignment—which is one of the very first steps. In… Read More »
Orange County Middle School Teacher Arrested And Charged For Inappropriate Touching Of Students
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, an Orange County teacher has been arrested and charged with a serious criminal offense for the alleged inappropriate touching of students. Javier Fernando Romero-Gonzalez—who was a middle school Spanish teacher Innovation Middle School in Orlando, FL—is facing a lewd and lascivious conduct charge. Within this article,… Read More »
Arrest Made In Relation To 2022 Orlando, FL Nightclub Shooting
In the fall of 2022, there was a terrible shooting at two nightlife establishments in Orlando. Six people were hurt in the incident. According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a months-long investigation has concluded and an arrest has been made in relation to the incident. Here, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer explains… Read More »
Orlando Woman Charged For DUI Crash That Seriously Hurt Two Children
According to a report from Click Orlando, a 32-year-old woman from Orlando has been arrested and charged with felony drunk driving related to a crash. Notably, two children suffered significant injuries in the collision. Ashauntie Cox is facing multiple criminal charges in Polk County. In this article, our Orlando DUI defense attorney explains what… Read More »
Reported Undercover Operation Leads To The Arrest Of Nearly A Dozen Men Seeking Alleged Sexual Activity With Minors
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a large undercover law enforcement operation has resulted in the arrest of 12 men in Central Florida. 11 of the suspects are facing serious felony charges for attempt to engage in sexual relations with a minor. Another man—who reportedly drove a friend to the meeting location—is… Read More »
Was Your Teenager Arrested In Central Florida? Four Mistakes To Avoid As A Parent
Teenagers can get themselves into trouble. An arrest of a teenager could lead to serious long-term consequences in Florida—especially if a teen is facing certain types of criminal charges. Florida has a specialized process for juvenile justice. Parents need to be ready to help their kid navigate the system. In this article, our Orlando… Read More »
A Comprehensive Guide To Shoplifting Charges In Florida
Were you or a loved one arrested for shoplifting in Florida? It is a serious criminal charge. You need to be prepared to raise a proactive, well-supported defense to protect your rights and your interests. There are many misconceptions about our state’s shoplifting laws. Within this article, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer provides an… Read More »
What Is A Probable Cause Determination In Florida?
Being arrested is stressful. You may feel like you have no power when compared to law enforcement. However, the reality is different. You should never resist an arrest—even an unjust arrest—but you absolutely have the right to challenge a baseless arrest. In Florida, this may be done through a preliminary part of the criminal… Read More »
Law Enforcement Officer In Central Florida Arrested, Charged With DUI In Relation To Multi-Vehicle Crash In December
According to a report from ClickOrlando, a Hillsborough County detention deputy was arrested in mid-March and charged with DUI offenses in relation to a crash that happened in December of 2022. 37-year-old Shastri Khan is facing charges because of a four-vehicle collision that happened in Polk City. He was found with an open container… Read More »
Former Florida State Lawmaker Pleads Guilty In A COVID-19 Fraud Case
According to a report from CNN, Joseph Harding—a former Florida state representative—pleaded guilty to a COVID-19 fraud charge. Mr. Harding obtained more than $150,000 in improper COVID-19 relief loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). He will be sentenced later this year. Here, our Orlando white collar defense attorney discusses the charges filed in… Read More »
How To Defend A Drug Possession Charge In Central Florida
According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), there are nearly 2 million drug-related arrests by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers nationwide each year. The majority of drug arrests are for unlawful possession of controlled substances. Depending on the amount and the specific drug in questions, a possession charge could… Read More »
Street Racing Crackdown: Nine Arrested In Orange County
Law enforcement authorities in Central Florida are taking more stringent enforcement action against street racing. According to a report from Click Orlando, nine people were recently arrested in Orange County as part of a comprehensive anti-street racing operation—and local law enforcement warned that more arrests will be coming in the future. Here, our Orlando… Read More »
DUI Defense In Florida: Can Breathalyzer Test Results Be Kept Out Of A Trial?
Were you arrested for DUI charges in Central Florida? Did you take a breathalyzer test and (allegedly) blow in excess of the legal limit? You can be sure that the prosecution is going to trial to rely on those breath test results to get a conviction. This raises an important question: Can breathalyzer test… Read More »
Five Questions To Ask Your Orlando DUI Defense Attorney
Were you arrested for a DUI? You are not alone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 1.5 million intoxicated driving arrests are recorded nationwide each year—making it one of the most common types of criminal offenses. Of course, that does not make going through a DUI arrest any easy. Your license,… Read More »
