Category Archives: Homicide
Legal Homicide Under Florida Law: When Killing Is Justified
Homicide, the act of one person causing the death of another, is generally considered a serious criminal offense. However, under Florida law, not all homicides are unlawful. Some killings are legally justified under specific circumstances, meaning the person who caused the death may not face criminal liability. Understanding the legal grounds for justifiable homicide… Read More »
Arrest Made In Relation To Deadly 2021 Shooting Incident In Orange County, Defendant Faces First Degree Murder Charge
According to a report from ClickOrlando, law enforcement officers have made an arrest in relation to a fatal 2021 shooting that occurred at a business center in Orange County. A 23-year-old-man named Ramon Luis Arroyo Galva is facing a first-degree murder charge. In this article, our Orlando homicide defense lawyer explains what we know… Read More »
What Is An Allen Charge And How Could It Affect My Criminal Case?
You are probably familiar with the rule that a jury must reach a unanimous verdict in a criminal case. So what happens when a jury deadlocks and cannot achieve unanimity? If the deadlock persists and shows no signs of resolution, the judge can declare a mistrial. This does not mean the defendant is free… Read More »
When Is Evidence Of Other Crimes Admissible At Trial?
A criminal trial must be decided based on the evidence the defendant committed the alleged crimes. A trial is not a forum to try the defendant’s character or other unrelated crimes. That said, Florida courts have long followed a principle known as the Williams Rule that does allow a jury to consider a defendant’s… Read More »
Understanding The “Forcible Felony” Rule In Florida Stand Your Ground Cases
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law permits someone to use or threaten “deadly force” in certain cases where it otherwise would be a criminal act. For example, you may use or threaten deadly force to “prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.” This assumes that you have a right to be in the place… Read More »
Can Prosecutors Introduce Evidence From A Witness Who Cannot Testify At The Trial?
A crucial legal protection for anyone on trial for a crime is the right to confront and cross-examine the witnesses against them. The Sixth Amendment’s “Confrontation Clause” guarantees this right. In general, this means that with few exceptions, a prosecutor cannot introduce as evidence any out-of-court hearsay statements made by a person who is… Read More »
