First, Orlando citizens never want to attempt to defend criminal charges on their own. They should do their research and select a good criminal defense attorney with a good track record. The stakes are high, and the percentage of a good outcome rises substantially with a good attorney. Keep in mind that a person is considered innocent until proven...
Continue ReadingA criminal defendant in Daytona Beach has been arrested and is facing charges in connection with a series of nearly 30 arson incidents in the region. The man is currently charged with parole violations, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer, though he is suspected of igniting the string of Florida fires. He may be required to mount a criminal...
Continue ReadingThe Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable and unlawful searches and seizures of their persons, homes, businesses and property. One practical Fourth Amendment check on law enforcement generally requires officers to obtain search warrants before they may lawfully search or seize a person’s property over the person’s objections. Given how critical evidence gathering can be to dismissal or conviction...
Continue ReadingA 12-year-old Florida boy has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 54-year-old man in late June. The young man, who was just one suspect in the case, apparently worked together with a second 16-year-old suspect. The pair will mount a criminal defense against allegations that they shot the victim in the head at a strip mall...
Continue ReadingWhile this does not really fall under our normal blog post regarding criminal law, I decided to perform a public service to our readers. I figured that everyone should know that marriage to your computer is not permissible even in the crazy State of Florida. While my wife may think that I have an unhealthy relationship with my iPhone,...
Continue ReadingWhen individuals engage in certain behaviors, they can reasonably expect that they will face legal consequences if they are caught. For example, most Americans understand that robbery, murder, rape and other straightforward criminal acts are illegal. However, other behaviors are treated in potentially unexpected ways by the nuanced criminal justice system. Even some acts that could be considered violent...
Continue ReadingWhen individuals are arrested and convicted of criminal wrongdoing, they are often sent to jail or prison. We have previously written about the fact that numerous studies confirm that lengthy imprisonment terms are far less likely to do taxpayers and individuals convicted of low-level, non-violent crimes as much good as alternatives are. For example, individuals convicted of low-level and...
Continue ReadingOver the past several years, many schools and school districts have developed so-called zero tolerance policies for a variety of offenses that kids and teens may commit. Some zero tolerance policies are understandable and arguably justified. For example, we live in an era in which children do not necessarily have good reason to feel safe at school. So, a...
Continue ReadingA study on the rates of arrest among young, American males was recently published in the journal Crime & Delinquency. Though our readers may find the results of the study to be truly shocking, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina and one of the study’s co-authors recently explained to USA Today that, “Among criminologists, I don’t...
Continue ReadingA courtroom is one of those unique places where the customs of the outside world do not always apply. In a courtroom, electronic devices should not be consulted except in cases of emergency and a proper dress code is strongly implied. In addition, you also must only speak when spoken to by a judge, bailiff or other administrative professional,...
Continue Reading