Search Warrants in Florida As a private citizen facing criminal charges in Florida, one of the most intrusive actions the government can take against your constitutional rights is to conduct a search, often done pursuant to a judge-approved search warrant. Understanding how search warrants work is key. This comprehensive post breaks down the search warrant process so you understand [...]
Hearsay Evidence in Florida Criminal Trials You're sitting in court, watching the prosecutor question a witness on the stand. Suddenly, your defense attorney objects and shouts, "Hearsay!" But what does "hearsay" mean? As your Miami criminal defense attorneys, we know Florida's rules about hearsay evidence inside and out. We fight daily to prevent unreliable hearsay statements from being used [...]
Marsy's Law: Crime Victim Rights in Florida Florida's Marsy's Law protects crime victims through Article I, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution. Voters approved the amendment in 2018. Named after Marsalee "Marsy" Nicholas, it expanded victims' rights and provided express ways to enforce them. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a crime in Florida, [...]
Can a Florida Prosecutor Dismiss a Criminal Case Just Because the Victim Doesn’t Want to Press Charges? You were the victim of a crime such as assault, theft, or domestic violence. You filed a police report, and the perpetrator was arrested and charged with a crime. The prosecutor's office has contacted you and says they need your full cooperation [...]
Rite Aid's Reckless Facial Recognition Practices In December 2023, the Federal Trade Commission announced a proposed settlement with Rite Aid over its use of facial recognition technology. The FTC alleged that, from 2012 to 2020, the retailer used the technology to identify customers suspected of shoplifting or other wrongdoing. False matches led employees to accuse innocent shoppers, with people [...]
Google Data Policy Change: Implications for Florida Geofence Warrants What Are Geofence Warrants And How Do They Impact Your Privacy Rights? Historically, police used a search warrant to seek Google Location History records for devices within a defined area and time. This use of geofence warrants could draw people with no role in a crime into [...]
What Is a Notice to Appear? You likely have many questions if you or a loved one has received a notice to appear (NTA) for a criminal case in Miami-Dade County. As experienced Florida criminal defense attorneys, we understand this can be stressful. This guide explains key things about notices to appear in Florida, your rights and options, and [...]
Police Interrogation Tactics in Florida You've been arrested. The flashing lights, the sirens, the handcuffs – a scene ripped straight out of a crime thriller, except this time, you're the star, and the script isn't in your hands. Now, you're facing the interrogation room, a bare square with a single table and two chairs, and across from you sits [...]
Restitution in Florida Criminal Cases You’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Florida. Your first concerns are possible jail time, fines, a criminal record, and other direct penalties. But there’s another consequence looming that you also need to understand—the possibility of paying restitution. Restitution can also become a major issue in federal prosecutions, especially in fraud, theft, [...]
The Trial Penalty You're likely overwhelmed and confused if you face criminal charges in Miami, Florida. One of your most important decisions is whether to go to trial or take a plea bargain. Before deciding, you should understand the plea offer, the rights you would give up, and the sentence you could face if convicted at trial. [...]
