Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Arrested In Orlando? Here Are Five Things Not To Do
Were you arrested and charged with a crime? You are certainly not alone. According to data cited by the Brennan Center for Justice, as many Americans have criminal records as have four-year college degrees. Of course, an arrest is not the same thing as a conviction. You have the right to defend yourself. Unfortunately,… Read More »
UCF Football Player Arrested For Home Invasion In Orlando, FL
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a University of Central Florida (UCF) football player and another woman have been arrested in connection with a violent home invasion that took place at an Orlando, FL high rise in early January. A resident filed a police report stating that masked men with guns banged… Read More »
What Happens If I Ask Police For A Criminal Defense Attorney?
Whether you are being investigated for a crime, questioned by law enforcement, or have already been placed under arrest, it is vital to understand that police and prosecutors are not on your side. They are focused on eliciting responses that they can use to convict you of a crime—not on protecting your best interests…. Read More »
Can You Be Arrested If You Fail To Register As A Sex Offender In Florida?
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a comprehensive, publicly available database of sex offenders and sexual predators in the state. A person convicted of a serious sex crime may be required to register as a sex offender and provide ongoing information about their whereabouts. This raises an important question: What happens if… Read More »
Federal Prosecutors In Florida Announce More COVID-19 Fraud Charges
On January 17th, 2023, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida provided a comprehensive update on its effort to combat COVID-19 related fraud. Several new criminal charges were filed against defendants in the region in December of 2022. In this article, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer discusses some… Read More »
Know Your Rights: What Is A Brady Motion?
Evidence is key to any criminal case. Of course, the burden of proof rests on the state. It is up to prosecutors to present evidence proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That being said, it would be a mistake for a defendant to be passive in the criminal justice process. A key part… Read More »
What Happens If You Are Arrested While On Probation In Florida?
Probation is a form of court-mandated supervision that allows a person to complete their sentence without being incarcerated. You must comply with the terms of your probation—otherwise it could be revoked. A new arrest could be deemed a violation of probation. Within this article, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer explains the most important things… Read More »
What You Need To Know About Getting Bail Reduced In Florida After It Has Already Been Set
Bail is a sum of money or other form of security that is given to a court to secure the release of a person who has been arrested and is being held in custody. The central idea that rests behind the concept of bail is to allow the person who has been arrested to… Read More »
Driver Arrested For DUI After Crashing Into Bar In Orlando, FL
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a Central Florida man has been arrested and charged with drunk driving after allegedly crashing into a bar in Orlando. As a consequence of the crash, four people were transported to a local hospital. While none of the injuries were life-threatening, a woman reportedly sustained a… Read More »
Florida Man Arrested After Posting Video Of Himself Discharging Firearm From Motor Vehicle On Social Media
According to a report from ClickOrlando, a South Florida man—Nelson Alejandro Perez Valdivia—has been arrested and charged with several serious felony offenses after posting a video of him discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle. The incident in question reportedly happened in Southwest Miami-Dade County. Here, our Orlando criminal defense lawyers discuss the allegations… Read More »
What Is A Habitual Traffic Offender In Florida?
Any traffic ticket can ruin your day. For those with a prior history of driving offenses, all traffic tickets need to be taken seriously. Another violation could even put you at risk of being labeled as a habitual traffic offender (HTO). It is a status that causes the automatic revocation of your driver’s license… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments In Marsy’s Law Case
According to a report from the Tampa Bay Times, the Florida Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in an unusual case in which the City of Tallahassee is locked in a legal dispute with its own police department. The state’s highest court will decide the future of Marsy’s law—an amendment to the Florida Constitution… Read More »
The Police Never Read Me My Miranda Rights—What Happens Now?
If you watched any police procedural or detective show, you likely have a familiarity with Miranda rights. When a person is arrested, police officers are supposed to read them their rights. Unfortunately, this does not always happen in reality. You may be wondering: What are my options if the police failed to read my… Read More »
The Law On Marijuana Possession In Florida: A Guide For 2023
The marijuana (cannabis) laws in the United States have been in a state of flux over the last decade. If you are unsure of what you are—and are not—allowed to do, you are not alone. As reported by MJBizDaily, approximately half of states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Even more states have… Read More »
Pastor And Son In Florida Arrested In Connection With Alleged $8 Million Covid-19 Fraud
According to a report from NBC News, a Florida pastor and his son have been arrested and charged with serious criminal offenses in connection with an alleged $8 million COVID-19-related fraud scheme. Evan Edwards and Josh Edwards—both of Central Florida—allegedly defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It is alleged to be one of the… Read More »
Central Florida Chiropractor Arrested, Charged With Sexual Assault
According to a report from NBC WESH 2, a chiropractor in Central Florida has been arrested and charged with a number of different sex crimes offenses. Agostinho Rodrigues, 62 years of age, has been booked into jail in Orange County. He is facing felony charges for sexual battery and other offenses. Here, our Orlando… Read More »
Study: Three Percent Of Police Officers In Florida Previously Fired By Another Department
As a society, we empower and trust the police to protect and severe. Unfortunately, police officers and law enforcement agencies do not always uphold that trust. Police brutality remains a serious problem. Police officers who violate the rights of citizens must be held accountable. A recent study published in the Yale Law Journal finds… Read More »
Man Accused Of More Than A Dozen Break-Ins Arrested In Central Florida
According to a report from ClickOrlando, a man named Corionn Rodman Jones-Bentley has been arrested in connection with more than a dozen break-ins in Osceola County. Law enforcement officials state that Mr. Jones-Bentley was targeting vacation rental properties. He is now facing five separate criminal charges. Here, our Orlando criminal defense attorney discusses the… Read More »
Criminal Defense Law: What Are Pre-Trial Motions?
Were you arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Florida? There are few things more stressful and intimidating. Of course, a charge is not a conviction—a charge is merely a formal allegation. You have the right to defend yourself in court. That being said, few criminal cases actually go to trial. The Innocence… Read More »
How Is White Collar Crime Defined In Florida?
Federal and state law enforcement agencies are cracking down on white collar criminal offenses. These are some of the most complex, technical criminal charges. This raises an important question: What is the definition of a white collar crime? In Florida, there is actually a specific statutory definition of the term. Within this article, our… Read More »
What Are The Next Things That Happen After An Arrest In Florida?
People are arrested every day in Florida. According to data published by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 29,056 people were arrested in Orange County alone in 2020. What happens after an arrest depends on a number of different factors. At The Baez Law Firm, we are strong advocates for justice and the rights… Read More »
Planning On Pleading Guilty? Three Reasons Why You Need To Consult With A Criminal Defense Lawyer
Are you preparing to plead guilty to a criminal offense? It is certainly not an uncommon result to a criminal case. In fact, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) reports that 90 to 95 percent of cases are resolved through a plea bargain. You may be ready to plead guilty so that you can… Read More »
Can You Be Arrested For Street Racing In Florida?
Street racing is considered to be extremely dangerous. In recent years, police and prosecutors in Florida are cracking down on street racing and other forms of reckless driving. You may be wondering: Can you be charged with a crime for street racing in Florida? The answer is a clear and resounding “yes”—our state classifies… Read More »
Your Guide To Expungement Of Criminal Records In Florida
Being arrested and charged with a crime is stressful for many different reasons. It could even cost you your clean criminal record. A criminal record can make it more difficult to get a job or even to rent an apartment. There is some good news: You may be able to seal certain criminal records… Read More »
Central Florida Man Arrested More Than One Year After Allegedly Fleeing Police And Causing A Deadly Crash
According to reporting from Click Orlando, Eddie King, 49, has been arrested and booked into the Orange County jail in relation to a deadly 2021 motor vehicle collision. Mr. King, a native of Gainesville, Florida, was allegedly involved in a fatal car crash while attempting to evade law enforcement officers. In this article, our… Read More »
