A record 68 million people visited Orlando in 2016. Tourists from all over the United States come to Orlando to visit theme parks, relax on the gorgeous beaches and play golf at the world-class courses. While many come to the Sunshine State for family-friendly fun, some come to enjoy the nightlife. Orlando has a happening bar scene geared toward...
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to violent crimes in Florida, the details matter. Take the criminal offense of assault, which is an “intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another.” Simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida law. But if the assault is committed “[w]ith a deadly weapon without intent to kill,” then...
Continue ReadingDealing with the police can be a stressful experience, especially when you know you have done nothing wrong. The important thing to remember in any police encounter, whether it is a traffic stop or an officer approaching you on the street, is to remain calm, understand your rights, and be firm-yet-polite in asserting those rights. The Importance of the...
Continue ReadingAt first glance, it sounds like nothing more than a funny misunderstanding: Orlando police officers cannot tell the difference between donut glaze and illegal drugs. After all, if anyone should know donuts by sight, it is a cop. But last year, an Orlando man was on his way home from a local convenience store – where he had purchased...
Continue ReadingOn January 3, 2017, Amendment 2 expanded the qualifying medical conditions for obtaining medical marijuana. The Department of Health Office of Compassionate Use is the government agency responsible for creating the regulatory structure for Medical Marijuana. The development of these new regulations are still in the works. So, in the meantime, we are still stuck with the old Florida...
Continue ReadingFlorida’s controversial stand your ground statute may be getting an update. The “stand your ground” law allows people to use deadly force when they feel it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm and they do not have a duty to retreat from this perceived threat. Currently the law requires the defendant to prove that they should...
Continue ReadingSince the initial public outrage, Ms. Mathers has been charged with Invasion of Privacy. In California, where this incident occurred, this crime carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. She had a court appearance on December 21, 2016. At that hearing it is being reported that her attorney has been attempting to negotiate...
Continue ReadingMarkeith Loyd gained national infamy for shooting and killing Master Sgt. Debra Clayton when she confronted Loyd at a Wal-Mart this past Monday, January 9. Additionally, Deputy Norman Lewis of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office died in a traffic crash while responding to the manhunt for Loyd. If that weren’t enough, it is also alleged that on December 13...
Continue ReadingI’m sitting here in my office waiting for Hurricane Matthew to make a decision as to where in Florida it is going to hit or I suppose if it will head east and never make landfall here. As I’m sure anyone who has been through a hurricane knows, there are certain things that you need to do in order...
Continue ReadingYou meet a girl on a dating website. She seems nice on the first date so you decide to ask her out again. This time things went terribly wrong as she brought three thugs to rob you. Such is the set of circumstances for Adam Hilarie, who in addition to being robbed was also murdered during the robbery. The...
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