Is a Withhold of Adjudication a Conviction in Florida? Short Answer: A withhold of adjudication means the judge does not formally adjudicate you guilty. Whether it counts as a conviction depends on the law involved, including within Florida. Long Answer: Whether a withhold counts as a “conviction” depends on who is asking. Under federal law, immigration law, certain professional [...]
Early Termination of Federal Supervised Release: Are You Eligible? If you're on federal supervised release here in Miami—or anywhere in the Southern District of Florida—you already understand how restrictive this phase can be. Even after serving your prison sentence, supervised release can feel like a lingering shadow: travel approvals, employment limits, random drug testing, financial disclosures, and regular check-ins [...]
Federal Sentencing Departures and Variances: Getting Below the Guidelines If you or a loved one is facing federal charges in Miami—or anywhere in the Southern District of Florida—you’ve probably already heard about the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. For many people, seeing that initial guideline calculation is one of the most intimidating moments in the case. The numbers can feel overwhelming, [...]
Understanding the Federal Sentencing Guidelines When you’re facing a federal criminal charge—whether it’s fraud, drug trafficking, firearm possession, or anything else in the federal system—you quickly find out that the process looks nothing like state court. One of the biggest differences? The Federal Sentencing Guidelines. If you or someone you care about is under investigation [...]
Can Police Use Drones to Spy on Your Backyard Without a Warrant? Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Explains Your Rights Under Florida & Federal Law If you’ve noticed a drone hovering over your backyard, you’re probably wondering the same thing most people do: Can the police legally spy on you from the air—without ever stepping foot on your property or [...]
Federal vs. State Charges in Miami If you or a loved one has been arrested in Miami, the first and most critical question is often not what the charges are, but where they are being filed. Most people assume that “court is court.” They believe that a trial in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (state court) is basically [...]
New Federal Sentencing Guidelines: What Amendment 821 Means for Your Case in Miami If you or a loved one are facing federal charges in Miami or are already serving a federal sentence, Amendment 821 may affect your sentencing range. Effective November 1, 2023, Amendment 821 to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines changed how status points are counted and created a [...]
How a Domestic Violence Conviction Affects Your Job and Professional Future When most people think about the consequences of a domestic violence conviction in Florida, they focus on jail time, fines, and probation. What catches many of our clients completely off guard is discovering that their conviction has quietly destroyed their career prospects. The courtroom drama ends, but the [...]
Domestic Violence Injunction Immigration Consequences in Florida If you're not a U.S. citizen and find yourself facing a domestic violence injunction in Florida, the consequences can extend far beyond state court. While an injunction is technically a civil matter, it can have serious implications for your immigration status—affecting everything from green card applications to naturalization eligibility. As experienced Miami [...]
What Happens When There’s an ICE Hold After an Arrest in Miami? If a loved one is arrested in Miami, the first goal is often getting them released. But when the person is not a U.S. citizen—whether undocumented, a visa holder, or a lawful permanent resident—things can get complicated fast. Families are often told that ICE has placed a [...]
