What Happens to Trump's Criminal Cases After His Election Victory? Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory changed the course of four criminal cases against him. The federal prosecutions ended, New York proceeded to sentencing, and Georgia later dropped its remaining charges. As Miami criminal defense attorneys, we examine what these developments show about presidential power and the limits of criminal [...]
Florida's First Responder Buffer Zone Law Florida's first responder buffer zone law took effect on January 1, 2025. Under Florida Statute 843.31, knowingly and willfully approaching or remaining within 25 feet after a verbal warning can be a crime when the first responder is lawfully performing a legal duty and you intend to interfere, threaten physical harm, or harass. [...]
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 criminal defense attorneys, we've guided [...]
Miami Defendant's Appeal Highlights Jury Unanimity in Petit Theft Case Petit theft charges may seem straightforward on the surface, but as a 2023 Miami appeal 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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
