Why Do People Make False Accusations? It is natural for people to want to believe that the world is a fair and just place and that people who are accused of crimes are guilty. This may lead people to automatically assume that someone is guilty simply because they have been accused. For example, people may assume that someone is [...]
Is it Legal to Record the Police in Florida? Yes. You generally have a First Amendment right to record police officers performing their duties in public, subject to reasonable limits on when, where, and how you record. Stay somewhere you may lawfully be and avoid interfering with their work. Florida’s first responder buffer zone law also matters. Section 843.31 [...]
Types of Injunctions in Florida In Florida, a person can seek several types of injunctions depending on the particular circumstances, including: Domestic violence injunctions, which are designed to protect victims of domestic violence from further harm by their abuser. Repeat violence injunctions, which require two incidents of violence or stalking directed against the petitioner or an immediate family member, [...]
Standards of Proof in Criminal Cases in Florida A standard of proof is the level of evidence required to prove a claim or allegation in a particular situation. This can vary depending on the nature of the case and the legal system in which it is being heard. For example, in a criminal case, the prosecution must prove the [...]
Motions to Suppress & the Exclusionary Rule What is a motion to suppress? A motion to suppress is a common criminal procedure legal motion filed by a defendant in a criminal case. It is typically filed before the trial begins and is used to ask the court to exclude specific evidence from being presented at the trial. The defendant [...]
What are your Miranda rights? Miranda warnings explain rights that protect you against compelled self-incrimination during custodial interrogation. They take their name from Miranda v. Arizona, the Supreme Court decision requiring these safeguards. They include the right to remain silent and the right to have a lawyer present during questioning, with appointed counsel if you cannot afford one. Miranda [...]
Facing a Theft Crime Charge in Miami? Any criminal convictions can have life-long consequences. A person convicted of a crime may suffer negative repercussions throughout life, including being denied certain jobs. In Florida, criminal charges are classified as either a felony offense or a misdemeanor charge. Generally, the major distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony is the maximum punishment [...]
Drug Trafficking in Florida Drug trafficking is one of Florida’s most serious drug crimes. Knowing, unlawful possession of a quantity covered by the trafficking statute can support a conviction even without proof of an intent to sell. What is Drug Trafficking? Florida Statutes § 893.135 sets specific trafficking thresholds for covered substances. These include weight thresholds and, for cannabis, [...]
What Does Acquitted Mean in Court? The criminal justice system uses a lot of terminology and jargon that may be difficult for non-lawyers to understand. If you've been charged with a crime, you need to make sure you understand everything you're being told and all the possible outcomes of your case. Just what does "acquitted" mean in court? In [...]
What Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Do? The criminal justice system can be complex to navigate. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime or arrested, you need to consider hiring a lawyer. Before you move forward with hiring an attorney, you need to ask yourself, "What type of lawyer should I be looking for?" [...]