What Happens to Trump's Criminal Cases After His Election Victory? In an unprecedented turn of events that reshapes the American legal landscape, Donald Trump has become the first person elected president while facing multiple criminal prosecutions. As Miami criminal attorneys who have spent decades defending clients in state and federal courts, we carefully analyze how Trump's 2024 election victory [...]
Florida's New "First Responder Buffer Zone" Law Starting January 1, 2025, Florida's new law (Senate Bill 184) will make it a crime to approach first responders within 25 feet after being warned to keep your distance. As Miami criminal lawyers, we want to help you understand your rights and responsibilities under this significant change in Florida law. [...]
First Appearance and Bond Hearings in Miami If you or a loved one has been arrested in Miami, you're likely feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next. One of the most critical stages in the early part of your case is the first appearance hearing, also known as a bond hearing. As experienced Miami criminal defense attorneys, we've [...]
Miami Defendant's Appeal Highlights Jury Unanimity in Petit Theft Case Petit theft charges may seem straightforward on the surface, but as a recent Miami case illustrates, complex legal questions can underlie even relatively minor alleged crimes. When a theft offense involves alternative acts as the means of commission, issues around jury unanimity requirements come into play with real implications for [...]
Arrest Searches in Miami: What You Need to Know Understanding Arrests and Arrest Searches in Miami Living in a major metropolitan area like Miami comes with many advantages but also some potential downsides. With a population of over 2.7 million in Miami-Dade County alone, arrests happen regularly as law enforcement works to keep the public safe. However, arrests can [...]
Who Has Jurisdiction When a Crime is Committed on a Cruise Ship? While most people embark on cruises to escape the daily grind and indulge in a slice of paradise, the unfortunate reality is that crimes can and do happen on the high seas. Cruise ships frequent the port of Miami and embark on tropical getaways through international waters. But [...]
Jurisdiction Matters: Understanding Criminal Jurisdiction Issues in Florida Territorial Jurisdiction - The Power of Place General Rule Generally, a Florida circuit or county court can only preside over crimes committed within that territorial jurisdiction. For example, if my client is alleged to have committed shoplifting in Miami-Dade County, the case can only be tried in a Miami-Dade County court. A [...]
The Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases: A Guide for Defendants in Florida If you have been charged with a crime in Florida, one of the most important concepts you need to understand is the burden of proof. The burden of proof refers to the obligation of the prosecution to prove every element of the alleged crime beyond a [...]
Understanding the Key Differences Between Criminal Law and Civil Law For most people without legal training, the distinction between criminal law and civil law is not always clear. Both involve violations of rules and laws, penalties and consequences, and proceedings in a court of law. However, there are some major differences that set criminal and civil law into two [...]
The First Amendment and Criminal Law: Understanding Your Constitutional Rights The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects some of our most fundamental freedoms - freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. However, these rights are not absolute, and sometimes speech or conduct that would otherwise be protected can still be subject to criminal prosecution. As a criminal [...]
