Category Archives: Criminal
What the Florida Supreme Court’s Recent Decision to Abandon the “Single Homicide” Rule Means for Criminal Defendants
The Florida Supreme Court recently abandoned what had been known as the “single homicide” rule in criminal cases. The rule was first put in place by the Court several decades earlier to prevent the state from convicting a defendant for a single homicide under two different criminal statutes. This was deemed necessary to comply… Read More »
How Does Bail Work in a Florida Criminal Case?
When you are arrested on suspicion of committing a crime, your first appearance in court will be to establish your bail. The purpose of bail is not misunderstood. Bail is not supposed to be a punishment. The function of bail is to secure your appearance at any future court hearings related to your criminal… Read More »
The Role of Restitution in Florida Criminal Cases
In criminal cases, prosecutors may seek punishment beyond prison time. If there was an identifiable victim of the crime, the prosecution may also ask the judge to order the defendant pay restitution to that victim. In a theft case, for instance, the restitution order might require the defendant to compensate the victim for the… Read More »
Can You Challenge a Magistrate’s “Probable Cause” Finding on a Search Warrant?
Police normally need to obtain a warrant before searching any property that belongs to a criminal suspect, including samples taken of a suspect’s blood for chemical testing. A magistrate or judge must first determine whether the police have “probable cause” to believe the search will discover evidence of criminal activity. Probable cause is a… Read More »
Can a Florida Court Impose a Lifetime Pet Ownership Ban Following an Animal Cruelty Conviction?
In 2018, outraged Florida residents successfully convinced the state legislature to stiffen penalties for individuals convicted of abusing animals. Known as “Ponce’s Law,” the legislation was named for a Labrador retriever puppy found beaten to death in Ponce Inlet. The animal’s owner was later charged with felony animal cruelty. Florida Appeals Court Addresses Namesake… Read More »
The Role of a Jury in Deciding a Mandatory Minimum Sentence
Many crimes carry increased penalties if certain “elements” are proven. For example, in a famous 2013 case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a New Jersey defendant was found guilty of carrying a firearm while committing a violent crime. Under New Jersey law, the mandatory minimum sentence for this offense… Read More »
When Does Child Neglect Become a Crime in Tampa, Florida?
Some people mistakenly assume that child neglect is not on the same level as child abuse. However, child neglect is a form of child abuse. And, you could be facing criminal charges in some cases. If you are charged with child neglect in Florida, you need a skilled Tampa criminal attorney on your side…. Read More »
Reasons Your Florida Criminal Charges Could Be Dismissed
Being arrested and charged with a crime is one of the worst experiences anyone can have. However, there are some instances where you might be able to get your charges dismissed entirely. Dismissals often happen because your attorney raised the right defenses and filed the right motions. That is one reason why you want… Read More »
What Counts as a Probation Violation in Tampa?
Probation is the court-mandated supervision program that you may be sentenced to either instead of incarceration or in addition to your jail sentence. Individuals on probation must check in with their assigned probation officer, and they must abide by specific rules. Failure to do so could result in a probation violation. Florida recognizes two… Read More »
What is Tampa’s Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) Program?
If you are facing felony charges, but you have no prior criminal record, or only a minor one, there is a chance you may qualify for a pre-trial intervention (PTI) program. The purpose of this program is to divert cases from the courtroom, and it can help you avoid the consequences of a criminal… Read More »
