Recent Blog Posts
What is the Difference Between Prison and Jail?
You might have heard the terms “prison” and “jail” used interchangeably. Although this happens often, the two are actually not the same. When you are arrested for an alleged criminal offense and held before your trial, you are typically held in jail. Depending on the type of charge you face, you could be transferred… Read More »
How Young is Too Young? Age of Consent Laws in Florida
In Florida, the age of legal consent is 18. This means that once an individual turns 18 years old, he or she may have a sexual relationship with any other adult except for in certain situations where one adult has authority over the other, such as an inmate and a guard in a prison…. Read More »
Drug Bust Follows Accidental 911 Call
In Okaloosa County, police showed up to an apartment and found five people as well as marijuana, 20 partial Xanax bars, 152 full Xanax bars, 21 grams of heroin, six grams of powder cocaine, a loaded .38 Special handgun, and $2,500 in cash after receiving a 911 call from the cell phone owned by… Read More »
What is Racketeering?
You might be familiar with the term “racketeering,” but not really understand what it means. You have probably heard the term used during discussions about organized crime, either actual or fictional events. Racketeering refers to a range of offenses, such as fraud, murder, and sex crimes. What marks certain cases of these offenses as… Read More »
What is a Crime of Moral Turpitude?
A crime of moral turpitude is an offense that is contrary to socially accepted moral conduct. It is a general term that refers to a wide range of offenses. Most commonly, it is used when discussing offenses committed by individuals who are not citizens of the United States, including both lawful permanent residents and… Read More »
What is Domestic Violence?
You probably think you know what domestic violence entails. Hitting, kicking, and shoving one’s intimate partner are all forms of physical domestic violence. But the definition of domestic violence is actually much broader. It describes a wide range of destructive behaviors that can cause the victim to suffer significant physical, emotional, psychological, and financial… Read More »
I Was Charged with a Crime. I am Not a United States Citizen – What Can I Do?
The United States of America is often called the “land of opportunity.” For centuries, people from around the world have come to this country with the hope of becoming citizens and enjoying greater opportunities for themselves and their families. But before becoming citizens, many individuals live in this country either under the designation of… Read More »
Are Polygraph Results Admissible in Court?
You have seen them on countless television shows, in movies, and heard about them being used in criminal investigations in a variety of cases. Polygraph machines, also known as lie detector tests, are a common trope in courtroom dramas and for many individuals, part of their mental image of a criminal investigation. But in… Read More »
How to Dress for your Day in Court
As the saying goes, “everybody is entitled to their day in court.” Basically, this means you have the right to a fair trial when you are charged with a criminal offense. Your day in court is your opportunity to prove your innocence to the judge and jury, which can help you avoid penalties like… Read More »
St. Petersburg Real Estate Agent Sentenced to Eight Years for Mortgage Fraud
Mortgage fraud can refer to a variety of activities done in an attempt to obtain a mortgage loan when one would normally not be offered to an applicant. For example, falsifying or omitting information contained within a mortgage loan application to to obtain a loan for an individual who would not otherwise qualify for… Read More »
The Most Common Offenses Committed on University Campuses
Going off to college is an exciting time in a young adult’s life. For many, it means leaving the only hometown they have ever known and experiencing a culture of new, sometimes seemingly-illogical rules, social mores, and expectations. But one constant issue on campuses across the nation is the issue of crime. Just like… Read More »
Representing Yourself in Court Can be a Terrible Mistake
As an American citizen, you have the right to representation by a lawyer during all portions of the prosecution and criminal justice process. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, failure to exercise this right can be a huge mistake. There are many steps between the police’s questioning, your arrest, and your… Read More »
Four Things NOT to Do When you are Arrested
When most people are arrested, they cannot think straight. Facing a criminal charge can be terrifying, especially for individuals who have never faced charges or had to interact with law enforcement in this capacity. The interactions that occur at the time of one’s arrest are critical, and the actions and statements that the individual… Read More »
Florida Audiologist Sentenced to Nearly Eight Years in Prison for Medicare Fraud
Medicare is the federal program that provides healthcare insurance coverage for individuals over the age of 65 and younger individuals who are facing certain diseases. When a Medicare patient receives a medical procedure, the doctor who performed that procedure sends a bill to the government to receive payment. This process can be exploited by… Read More »
Defenses to a Marijuana Possession Charge
Despite the trend of legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational purposes that is currently sweeping across the nation, marijuana is still federally classified as a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. This means that it is illegal to grow, transport, possess, sell, distribute, or consume cannabis unless you are specifically licensed to do so. In… Read More »
Protect your Future by Working with a Criminal Defense Attorney
When you are in college, it can be difficult to think about the long-term effects your actions today will have on your future 20, 30, and even 50 years from now. Sure, you are working toward a degree that will ideally have a positive impact on your future employment prospects – but what about… Read More »
What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, one of the first things you should do is begin working on your case’s defense with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Working with the right lawyer can mean the difference between having your charge reduced or dropped or being convicted and facing the penalties for… Read More »
Why Feds Prosecute Child Pornography Cases
Child pornography cases are some of the most highly publicized criminal matters in the country. Just within the past week, Florida new outlets featured several stories about suspects with pending child pornography charges and defendants who were recently convicted and sentenced. Unfortunately, many of these cases become come under public scrutiny even prior to… Read More »
New Bill Could Require IT Workers to Report Child Pornography Found in Computer Systems
In early February 2016, a Utah House committee passed HB155, a bill to make it a crime for IT workers who come across child pornography in the systems they service to fail to report their findings. The bill is currently on the Senate’s 2nd Reading Calendar. The bill’s language specifies that IT workers are… Read More »
Alleged Crime Spree Leads to Multiple Charges
An alleged multi-state crime spree recently came to an end as Florida law enforcement engaged in gunfire with a couple that the media calls a modern day version of Bonnie and Clyde. According to reports, the man and woman are accused of committing numerous crimes in Missouri, Alabama and Georgia. Florida officials also allege… Read More »
