"Pro Se" and Why Hiring a Lawyer is Better Have you been charged with a crime and are considering representing yourself in court? This is called appearing "pro se," meaning that you are representing yourself without the assistance of a criminal defense attorney. You generally have the right to represent yourself at a criminal trial, but the court must [...]
Report: Fines Promote Juvenile Recidivism As a criminal defense lawyer, it's my job to ensure that my clients receive fair and just treatment under the law. A 2023 study on monetary sanctions and juvenile recidivism in Florida raises concerns about whether court fees undermine rehabilitation. According to The Crime Report's coverage of the study, court fees were associated with [...]
Judge Vacates Wrongful Conviction of Man Jailed Almost 30 Years On February 14, 2023, Missouri Circuit Judge David Mason overturned Lamar Johnson’s conviction, freeing him after nearly 28 years in prison for a murder he maintained he did not commit. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner filed a motion in August 2022 seeking Johnson’s release after an investigation her [...]
Biden’s 2023 Equity Order Highlights Marijuana Reform Update: This article discusses actions taken during the Biden administration in 2022 and 2023. President Trump revoked Executive Order 14091 on January 20, 2025. The marijuana pardons discussed below were issued through separate presidential proclamations. On February 16, 2023, President Joe Biden issued Executive Order 14091, which directed federal agencies to address [...]
Courtwatchers Fight Against ‘Assembly Line of Injustice’ As a criminal defense attorney, I am excited to share the launch of the National Courtwatch Network and its website, courtwatch.org, which aims to bring transparency and accountability to courtrooms across the United States. The network’s launch was covered in a February 2023 Washington Post report. Courtwatch involves volunteers observing court proceedings, [...]
Domestic Violence Charges in Florida Domestic violence allegations in Florida can lead to criminal charges and lasting effects on your life. The charge depends on the alleged conduct, while special domestic violence rules depend on the relationship between the people involved. This article explains the possible penalties and defenses. What are Domestic Violence Charges? Domestic violence charges can involve [...]
Confirmation bias is a natural human tendency that can affect how we process information and make decisions. We all have a cognitive bias toward seeking patterns and organizing information in a way that makes sense to us. When we encounter new information that fits our existing beliefs or expectations, we tend to process it more easily and quickly than [...]
Facing criminal charges or being under criminal investigation can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. It can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and uncertain about your future. However, it is helpful to remember that you are not alone and that there are ways to cope with the emotional challenges of facing criminal charges. If you are worried about being [...]
Video Evidence in Criminal Cases The use of video evidence in criminal cases has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to the widespread availability of surveillance cameras, smartphones, and body-worn cameras. This trend has profoundly impacted criminal defense practice, and it's worth exploring in detail. Video recordings are only one part of the larger role electronic evidence now plays in [...]
What Is It Like to Be Arrested in Miami? As a "first-time offender," being taken into custody and booked into jail in Miami can be a traumatic and confusing experience. It is usually a highly emotional and stressful experience. The sudden loss of freedom and being placed in an unfamiliar and potentially hostile environment can trigger feelings of fear, [...]
