Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Orlando Police Arrest 30 Over Weekend—Including Several On Gun Charges
According to a report from West Orlando News, the Orlando Police Department confirmed that 30 people were arrested over a weekend in the city. Notably, several of those people were charged with firearm-related offenses and law enforcement officers recovered ten illegal guns. Weapons offense should always be taken seriously. Here, our Orlando criminal defense… Read More »
Will A Doctor Lose Their Medical License If Convicted Of A Crime In Florida?
Are you a doctor who is facing a criminal charge in Florida? There is a lot on the line in your case. Your rights, your freedom, and even your career could be at risk. You may be wondering: Does a doctor lose their medical license if they are convicted of a crime? The answer… Read More »
Can I Decline To Blow Into A Breathalyzer In Florida?
Pulled over by a police officer in Orlando, Orange County, or elsewhere in Central Florida? If that officer suspects that you are under the influence of alcohol, you may be asked to submit to a breath test. This raises an important question: Can you say no to a breathalyzer test in Florida? The short… Read More »
What Criminal Charges Could A Doctor Face For Writing A False Prescription In Florida?
Prescription medications are powerful, highly regulated controlled substances. They must be written by a licensed physician. What happens if a doctor misuses their right to prescribe medication? In Florida, they could be charged with a serious criminal offense, potentially even a felony. In this article, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer explains the… Read More »
How Do Prosecutors Prove Drugged Driving In Florida?
Intoxicated driving is unlawful in Florida. Under state law (Florida Statutes § 316.193), a person can be deemed “guilty of the offense of driving under the influence” if they are impaired by alcohol or “any substance controlled under chapter 893.” In other words, a motorist can be convicted of a DUI on the grounds… Read More »
Criminal Defense In Florida: An Overview Of Withholding Adjudication
Arrested and charged with a crime in Central Florida? Your case is probably not going to end up at trial. While you have a well-established right to a trial, only a small percentage of criminal charges actually get there. For example, the Pew Research Center cites data showing that only 1 in 50 people… Read More »
Two Florida Nonprofit Executives Charged With Grand Theft, Fraud
According to a report from ABC 7 Southwest Florida, two Florida nonprofit executives—Tiffany Carr 54 and Patricia Duarte—are facing serious criminal charges for allegedly defrauding their organization, the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV). Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney provides a more detailed overview of the allegations and the charges filed… Read More »
11-Year-Old Arrested In Shooting Of Two Other Juveniles, Parent Likely To Face Criminal Charges For Unsecured Firearm
According to a report from NBC News, an 11-year-old boy was arrested and charged with the shooting of two other juveniles—both of whom were reportedly 13 years of age. The incident occurred after a scuffle at a football practice in Apopka, Florida. The child reportedly got the (unsecured) firearm from his mother’s car. She… Read More »
Considering Suing A Police Department For Excessive Force? Three Things You Need To Know
Law enforcement officers are tasked with the duty of protecting and serving. When force is used against a civilian, there must be a good reason. The Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project estimates that 250,000 people nationwide are injured by police officers each year. A person injured by a police officer may have an excessive force… Read More »
How Do I Avoid Jail When Facing A First-Time DUI Charge In Florida?
Arrested for a first-time DUI offense in Florida? It is a serious criminal charge that carries the risk of jail time. That being said, not every person who is arrested for a first-offense DUI in Florida will be sentenced to an extended prison term. You have the right to zealously defend yourself. Below, our… Read More »
Are Traffic Violations A Criminal Offense In Florida?
Are you facing a traffic violation? You are certainly not alone. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that between 1.5 million and 2 million traffic tickets are issued statewide each year: You may be wondering: Is a traffic violation a criminal offense in Florida? The answer depends entirely on the specific circumstances—a… Read More »
Report: Orlando City Commissioner Arrested For Public Intoxication And Disorderly Conduct While Out Of State In 2022
According to a report from West Orlando News, Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct while out of state last year. The incident occurred in Birmingham, Alabama. Both alleged offenses are also crimes in Florida. In this article, Orlando criminal defense lawyer provides an overview of… Read More »
Four People Arrested In Drug Bust In Orlando
According to a report from Florida Politics, four people were arrested during a drug bust in Orlando. Notably, the arrest happened at the home of Jane Healy, a former co-chair of a local Tourist Development Tax Advisory Committee. Her son, Randall Healy Clark, was arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses, including the trafficking… Read More »
Florida Pool Company Owner Charged With White Collar Fraud
According to a report from the South Florida Business Journal, the owner of a pool company in Florida has been charged with several different white collar fraud offenses James Ivan Staten Jr. stands accused of billing customers out of at least $1.5 million. He was the owner and operator of Olympus Pools—a now bankrupt… Read More »
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Investigating Arrest That Went Viral—Allegations Of Police Brutality
According to a report from Yahoo News, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating an arrest that went viral amidst allegations of police brutality. The family reports that 24-year-old Le’Keian Woods sustained serious injuries in the arrest. Here, our Florida civil rights attorney offers a more detailed overview of what we know about the… Read More »
Man Arrested, Charged With Criminal Mischief In Relation To Antisemitic Banner Hung On Orlando Highway Overpass
According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, a second man has been arrested in relation to an antisemitic billboard that was displayed on a local highway overpass. Anthony Altick is facing a criminal mischief charge. In this blog post, our Orlando criminal defense attorney explains what we know about this case and provides… Read More »
How Do I Challenge The Results Of A ”Failed” Field Sobriety Test In Florida?
Were you pulled over a suspicion of intoxicated driving in Florida? You may have been asked to perform a field sobriety test. If you “failed” that test, it could be a factor that results in an arrest and a subsequent criminal charge. It is important to emphasize that there are serious questions about the… Read More »
Florida Man Arrested, Charged With Selling Fentanyl Disguised As Prescription Drug
According to a report from ClickOrlando, a man in Central Florida has been arrested and charged with selling fentanyl that was disguised as a prescription drug. Jaquan Jones McCrary, 26 of Orange County, is facing felony criminal charges. Here, our Orlando drug crimes defense attorney provides an overview of fentanyl charges in Florida. Florida… Read More »
Central Florida Man Arrested, Charged After Fatal Crash—DUI Suspected
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a man in Central Florida has been arrested on DUI charges after a fatal collision. Valerio Sebastian Domingo, a 24-year-old man from Orlando, has been booked into the Orange County jail. He is now facing several serious criminal charges. Within this article, our Orlando DUI defense… Read More »
Arrest Made In Relation To Deadly 2021 Shooting Incident In Orange County, Defendant Faces First Degree Murder Charge
According to a report from ClickOrlando, law enforcement officers have made an arrest in relation to a fatal 2021 shooting that occurred at a business center in Orange County. A 23-year-old-man named Ramon Luis Arroyo Galva is facing a first-degree murder charge. In this article, our Orlando homicide defense lawyer explains what we know… Read More »
Falsely Accused Of A Crime In Orlando? Four Steps To Take To Protect Your Rights
Were you accused of a crime? Whether you are under investigation or you have already been arrested, it is normal to feel stressed out, frustrated, and overwhelmed. You have the right to raise a zealous defense against false allegations. Unfortunately, too many people make avoidable mistakes that undermine their own rights. Within this article,… Read More »
Police Have Made An Arrest In A Street Takeover Incident In Orlando, FL
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in relation to a so-called “street takeover” event that took place more than three months ago. Elijah Grove-Thomas, 25, has been arrested and is facing serious criminal charges. In this article, our Orlando criminal defense attorney explains… Read More »
Will A 17-Year-Old Be Charged As An Adult In Florida?
Every parent knows that teenagers can get themselves into trouble. According to data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, there are more than 30,000 arrests made of minors annually in Florida. What happens when a 17-year-old is arrested? Will they be charged as an adult? As a baseline, the answer is “no”—however, prosecutors… Read More »
Report: Orlando Firefighter Accused For Aggravated Assault And Battery
According to a report from WFTV 9, a firefighter in Orlando has been accused of aggravated assault and battery. Lateef Williams was arrested by deputies in Orange County after an incident earlier this week. Here, our Orlando assault & battery defense attorney explains what we know about the allegations and provides an overview of… Read More »
South Florida Real Estate Agent Sentenced In PPP Fraud Case
According to a report from The Real Deal, Daniela Rendon—a real estate agent from Miami—has been sentenced to serve three years and five months in prison in a COVID-19 fraud case. Earlier this year, Ms. Rendon was convicted of defrauding the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Within… Read More »
