Recording Police Interrogations in Florida You've seen it countless times on TV crime shows - a suspect sitting in a small, windowless room facing one or more detectives who fire questions in rapid succession, pressuring the suspect to confess. But how accurate is this portrayal of police interrogations? Knowing what transpired behind closed doors is nearly impossible with no [...]
The Startling Truth About Field Drug Tests and Wrongful Convictions A groundbreaking new research report released on January 9th by the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice provides the first-ever national analysis of the role of presumptive field drug tests in wrongful convictions. The report’s findings are deeply alarming, suggesting these inexpensive chemical tests used widely by [...]
The Role of Jailhouse Informants in Criminal Cases Jailhouse informants, also known as “snitches,” are incarcerated people who provide testimony or information to prosecutors in exchange for lenient treatment in their own cases. The use of compensated jailhouse informant testimony in criminal trials is deeply problematic and a contributing factor in many wrongful convictions over the past several decades. In [...]
Reimagining Pretrial Justice in Miami - Why Our City Should Lead on Bail Reform America's cash bail system is broken, unjustly criminalizing poverty and destroying lives. As a criminal defense lawyer in Miami for many years, I've witnessed this tragedy firsthand. Now, our chance to lead bold local reforms is being thwarted by politics. Miami-Dade’s leaders developed plans to [...]
Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis, is once again improperly interfering in local affairs by removing a duly elected prosecutor from office. As reported in depth by the Brennan Center for Justice's recent analysis, DeSantis suspended Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell last week, baselessly alleging she has been “derelict” and “incompetent” in her elected role ("DeSantis’s Suspension of Orlando-Area Prosecutor Is Counterproductive [...]
Is Weed Legal in Florida? If you’re wondering, “Is pot legal in Florida?” you’re not alone. As the cannabis industry evolves nationwide, it can be challenging to keep track of the changing landscape of Florida weed laws. Let’s take an in-depth look at Florida cannabis legalization, decriminalizing marijuana possession in Florida, Florida’s medical marijuana law, and the status of [...]
As a criminal defense lawyer, it's my job to ensure that my clients receive fair and just treatment under the law. Unfortunately, a recent study on monetary sanctions and juvenile recidivism in Florida suggests that the criminal justice system may be failing our youth. According to a report of the study, which analyzed the impact of fees and restitution [...]
On Thursday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order highlighting the administration's efforts to correct the failed approach to federal marijuana policy. The order, which is focused on promoting equity within federal agencies and the White House, showcases the president's actions on marijuana. Biden previously granted a mass pardon for people with non-violent federal cannabis possession convictions and directed [...]
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. According to a recent article, the initiative seeks to inspire a transparency movement that scrutinizes the “assembly line of injustice” happening in America’s courtrooms. The [...]
In his biting piece on underfunded public defender offices, John Oliver excoriates our criminal justice system for giving lip service to the constitutional right to counsel. And once again, Florida is the punchline. I highly suggest watching the whole clip, but if you want to skip to the part about Florida, watch from 12:36. As he does with so [...]
