Recent Blog Posts
Five Ways Having A Felony Conviction On Your Record Could Impact Your Life
Were you arrested and charged with a crime? It can be a deeply difficult and stressful experience to go through. That being said, you are far from alone. TechJury cites data showing that nearly 80 million Americans have a criminal record. Of course, not all of those people have felonies on their record. A… Read More »
What Is An Affirmative Defense?
Were you arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Florida? You are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. They are required to present evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed all elements of the offense. An affirmative defense is a specialized type… Read More »
Florida Law: Improper Exhibition Of A Firearm Or Weapon
Florida protects the rights of individuals to lawfully bear firearms or other weapons. That being said, there are strict rules and regulations in place regarding how a person can use a dangerous weapon—including how they can exhibit/display their weapon. In Florida, the improper exhibition of a firearm or weapon is a criminal offense. Within… Read More »
Florida Drug Charges: Possession With Intent To Sell, Manufacture Or Deliver
All drug charges should be taken seriously. A conviction could cost your freedom. At the same time, not all drug charges are created equal. A trafficking, distribution, or manufacturing charge is generally a lot more severe than a simple possession charge. However, possession could be charged as a “trafficking” offense on the grounds of… Read More »
Owners Of Florida Roofing Business Charges In Large Fraud Scheme
In February, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida announced the indictment of Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter, brothers from North Florida. Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Slaughter owned and operated a roofing business called Great White Construction, Inc. They are accused of a number of different fraud charges,… Read More »
What Happens If You Refuse To Take A Field Sobriety Test In Florida?
Being pulled over on the suspicion of intoxicated driving is stressful and intimidating. It is normal to be extremely nervous. Those nerves could actually make you perform more poorly on a field sobriety test. This raises an important question: What happens if you refuse a field sobriety test? In Florida, you are within your… Read More »
Understanding The Difference Between A First Degree Misdemeanor And A Second-Degree Misdemeanor In Florida
A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony. That is not to say that a misdemeanor is a minor issue. In Florida, misdemeanor charges include crimes that could result in up to one year in jail. Our state has two classifications of misdemeanor offenses: First degree misdemeanor; and Second degree misdemeanor. In this article,… Read More »
Man Arrested For Drug Trafficking For Alleged Attempting Smuggling At Orlando Airport
According to a report from Orlando Weekly, a passenger at the Orlando International Airport—Michael Jayson Scarlett, a 43-year-old man from California—was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 38 pounds of methamphetamines (meth) and another 4 pounds of marijuana. He is facing a felony criminal charge. In this article, our Orlando drug crimes defense attorney… Read More »
Orlando Police Sergeant Arrested And Charged With DUI After Seminole County Car Parking Lot Crash
According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, Anthony Lappas—an Orlando police officer—was arrested and charged with intoxicated driving after a collision in Seminole County. The incident occurred in Winter Springs while Mr. Lappas was reportedly picking up his daughter from a child care facility. He was off-duty at the time of the incident…. Read More »
South Florida Woman Pleads Guilty In Relation To Multi-Million COVID-19 Fraud Scam
According to a report from Fox News, a South Florida woman has pleaded guilty in relation to a multi-million dollar COVID-19 related financial fraud scheme. Danielle Miller, 32, reportedly bragged about her crimes on social media. Here, our Orlando white collar defense lawyer provides a comprehensive detail of the allegations, the charges, and the… Read More »
Criminal Defense: What Is A Bench Warrant In Florida?
An arrest warrant is a court-issued document that authorizes law enforcement to arrest and detain a person who is suspected of committing a crime. The warrant is issued by a judge and contains details about the charges, the suspect’s identity, and, in many cases, the location where they may be found. A bench warrant… Read More »
Can You Be Arrested For Speeding In Florida?
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations in the United States. According to data from AAA, nearly 90 percent of U.S. motorists admit that they have knowingly driven above the speed limit at least once during the past twelve months. The penalties for speeding depend on a number of different factors, including… Read More »
Arrest Made After Serious Physical Assault In Orlando, FL, Attempted Murder Charge Filed
According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, an arrest was made after a physical attack left a man with severe injuries. The alleged perpetrator, 51-year-old Christopher Blue, was arrested and booked into the Orange County jail on a felony attempted murder charge. In this article, our Orlando assault & battery defense lawyer discusses… Read More »
An Overview Of Five Of The Most Common Property Crimes In Florida
A property crime is a category of crime that involves the unlawful taking or destruction of someone else’s property. Property crimes can range in severity, with some being punishable by fines and others carrying the possibility of imprisonment. Indeed, some property crime charges in Florida are serious felony offenses. In this article, our Orlando… Read More »
Florida Man Arrested In Connection With Robbery Of USPS Workers
According to a report from Click Orlando, a Florida man has been arrested in connection with a string of robberies committed against United States Postal Service (USPS) workers in the region. Darius Capers was taken into custody by federal law enforcement officers. Mr. Capers is facing charges for three separate robberies involving USPS workers…. Read More »
What Constitutes A Search: Understanding The Reasonable Expectation Of Privacy Standard
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects against illegal search and seizure. Among other things, it requires that searches be reasonable and that, in most circumstances, law enforcement seek a search warrant based on probable cause. If you are subject to an illegal search, there are remedies available under the law. This… Read More »
What To Know About Underage Drinking Charges In Florida (Minor In Possession)
It is no secret that many teenagers consume alcohol. According to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), seven million American young people—ages 12 to 20—report that they have consumed a significant amount of alcohol within the past 30 days. While it may not be rare, that does not make… Read More »
Arrested In Orlando? Here Are Five Things Not To Do
Were you arrested and charged with a crime? You are certainly not alone. According to data cited by the Brennan Center for Justice, as many Americans have criminal records as have four-year college degrees. Of course, an arrest is not the same thing as a conviction. You have the right to defend yourself. Unfortunately,… Read More »
UCF Football Player Arrested For Home Invasion In Orlando, FL
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a University of Central Florida (UCF) football player and another woman have been arrested in connection with a violent home invasion that took place at an Orlando, FL high rise in early January. A resident filed a police report stating that masked men with guns banged… Read More »
What Happens If I Ask Police For A Criminal Defense Attorney?
Whether you are being investigated for a crime, questioned by law enforcement, or have already been placed under arrest, it is vital to understand that police and prosecutors are not on your side. They are focused on eliciting responses that they can use to convict you of a crime—not on protecting your best interests…. Read More »
Can You Be Arrested If You Fail To Register As A Sex Offender In Florida?
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a comprehensive, publicly available database of sex offenders and sexual predators in the state. A person convicted of a serious sex crime may be required to register as a sex offender and provide ongoing information about their whereabouts. This raises an important question: What happens if… Read More »
Federal Prosecutors In Florida Announce More COVID-19 Fraud Charges
On January 17th, 2023, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida provided a comprehensive update on its effort to combat COVID-19 related fraud. Several new criminal charges were filed against defendants in the region in December of 2022. In this article, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer discusses some… Read More »
Know Your Rights: What Is A Brady Motion?
Evidence is key to any criminal case. Of course, the burden of proof rests on the state. It is up to prosecutors to present evidence proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That being said, it would be a mistake for a defendant to be passive in the criminal justice process. A key part… Read More »
What Happens If You Are Arrested While On Probation In Florida?
Probation is a form of court-mandated supervision that allows a person to complete their sentence without being incarcerated. You must comply with the terms of your probation—otherwise it could be revoked. A new arrest could be deemed a violation of probation. Within this article, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer explains the most important things… Read More »
What You Need To Know About Getting Bail Reduced In Florida After It Has Already Been Set
Bail is a sum of money or other form of security that is given to a court to secure the release of a person who has been arrested and is being held in custody. The central idea that rests behind the concept of bail is to allow the person who has been arrested to… Read More »
