Recent Blog Posts
A Comprehensive Guide To Shoplifting Charges In Florida
Were you or a loved one arrested for shoplifting in Florida? It is a serious criminal charge. You need to be prepared to raise a proactive, well-supported defense to protect your rights and your interests. There are many misconceptions about our state’s shoplifting laws. Within this article, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer provides an… Read More »
What Is A Probable Cause Determination In Florida?
Being arrested is stressful. You may feel like you have no power when compared to law enforcement. However, the reality is different. You should never resist an arrest—even an unjust arrest—but you absolutely have the right to challenge a baseless arrest. In Florida, this may be done through a preliminary part of the criminal… Read More »
Law Enforcement Officer In Central Florida Arrested, Charged With DUI In Relation To Multi-Vehicle Crash In December
According to a report from ClickOrlando, a Hillsborough County detention deputy was arrested in mid-March and charged with DUI offenses in relation to a crash that happened in December of 2022. 37-year-old Shastri Khan is facing charges because of a four-vehicle collision that happened in Polk City. He was found with an open container… Read More »
Former Florida State Lawmaker Pleads Guilty In A COVID-19 Fraud Case
According to a report from CNN, Joseph Harding—a former Florida state representative—pleaded guilty to a COVID-19 fraud charge. Mr. Harding obtained more than $150,000 in improper COVID-19 relief loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). He will be sentenced later this year. Here, our Orlando white collar defense attorney discusses the charges filed in… Read More »
How To Defend A Drug Possession Charge In Central Florida
According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), there are nearly 2 million drug-related arrests by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers nationwide each year. The majority of drug arrests are for unlawful possession of controlled substances. Depending on the amount and the specific drug in questions, a possession charge could… Read More »
Street Racing Crackdown: Nine Arrested In Orange County
Law enforcement authorities in Central Florida are taking more stringent enforcement action against street racing. According to a report from Click Orlando, nine people were recently arrested in Orange County as part of a comprehensive anti-street racing operation—and local law enforcement warned that more arrests will be coming in the future. Here, our Orlando… Read More »
DUI Defense In Florida: Can Breathalyzer Test Results Be Kept Out Of A Trial?
Were you arrested for DUI charges in Central Florida? Did you take a breathalyzer test and (allegedly) blow in excess of the legal limit? You can be sure that the prosecution is going to trial to rely on those breath test results to get a conviction. This raises an important question: Can breathalyzer test… Read More »
Five Questions To Ask Your Orlando DUI Defense Attorney
Were you arrested for a DUI? You are not alone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 1.5 million intoxicated driving arrests are recorded nationwide each year—making it one of the most common types of criminal offenses. Of course, that does not make going through a DUI arrest any easy. Your license,… Read More »
Several Arrested After Police Find Teenager Dancing In Adult Nightclub In Orlando
According to a report from WESH 2 NBC Orlando, a young girl—just 15 years of age—was found to be dancing at an adult nightclub in Central Florida. Four people have now been arrested in relation to this case. Within this article, our Orlando sex crimes defense attorney explains what we know and discusses the… Read More »
Mother And Daughter Duo In Lake County, FL Charged With Insurance Fraud
A mother/daughter duo are now facing a number of different counts of criminal insurance fraud in Central Florida. According to a report from Click Orlando, Jessica Chechile and Heather Steverson are facing a collective 200+ counts of insurance fraud related to a scheme that they have been running for at least eight months. Here,… Read More »
Arrests Made In Alleged Central Florida Plot To Defraud Home Depot And Sell Equipment
According to reporting from the Orlando Sentinel, several arrests have been made in connection with an alleged plot by a Florida man to defraud Home Depot out of more than $1 million worth of equipment. The scheme involves renting equipment from the company and then turning around and selling it online. Here, our Orlando… Read More »
A Comprehensive Guide To The Exclusionary Rule (Important Criminal Defense Tool)
The burden of proof rests on the shoulders of the prosecution in any criminal case. It is the prosecution that has the duty of presenting evidence that proves the defendant’s culpability. Evidence is key to any criminal case. The exclusionary rule is a critically important legal protection that helps to ensure that defendants are… Read More »
Four Steps To Take If You Are Accused Of Credit Card Fraud In Florida?
Credit card fraud is a serious matter. Under Florida law (Florida Statutes § 817.61), credit card fraud is defined as the unlawful obtaining or use of a credit card, with intent to defraud. It is generally charged as a felony criminal offense in Florida. Any person facing credit card fraud charges needs to be… Read More »
Five Ways Having A Felony Conviction On Your Record Could Impact Your Life
Were you arrested and charged with a crime? It can be a deeply difficult and stressful experience to go through. That being said, you are far from alone. TechJury cites data showing that nearly 80 million Americans have a criminal record. Of course, not all of those people have felonies on their record. A… Read More »
What Is An Affirmative Defense?
Were you arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Florida? You are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. They are required to present evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed all elements of the offense. An affirmative defense is a specialized type… Read More »
Florida Law: Improper Exhibition Of A Firearm Or Weapon
Florida protects the rights of individuals to lawfully bear firearms or other weapons. That being said, there are strict rules and regulations in place regarding how a person can use a dangerous weapon—including how they can exhibit/display their weapon. In Florida, the improper exhibition of a firearm or weapon is a criminal offense. Within… Read More »
Florida Drug Charges: Possession With Intent To Sell, Manufacture Or Deliver
All drug charges should be taken seriously. A conviction could cost your freedom. At the same time, not all drug charges are created equal. A trafficking, distribution, or manufacturing charge is generally a lot more severe than a simple possession charge. However, possession could be charged as a “trafficking” offense on the grounds of… Read More »
Owners Of Florida Roofing Business Charges In Large Fraud Scheme
In February, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida announced the indictment of Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter, brothers from North Florida. Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Slaughter owned and operated a roofing business called Great White Construction, Inc. They are accused of a number of different fraud charges,… Read More »
What Happens If You Refuse To Take A Field Sobriety Test In Florida?
Being pulled over on the suspicion of intoxicated driving is stressful and intimidating. It is normal to be extremely nervous. Those nerves could actually make you perform more poorly on a field sobriety test. This raises an important question: What happens if you refuse a field sobriety test? In Florida, you are within your… Read More »
Understanding The Difference Between A First Degree Misdemeanor And A Second-Degree Misdemeanor In Florida
A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony. That is not to say that a misdemeanor is a minor issue. In Florida, misdemeanor charges include crimes that could result in up to one year in jail. Our state has two classifications of misdemeanor offenses: First degree misdemeanor; and Second degree misdemeanor. In this article,… Read More »
Man Arrested For Drug Trafficking For Alleged Attempting Smuggling At Orlando Airport
According to a report from Orlando Weekly, a passenger at the Orlando International Airport—Michael Jayson Scarlett, a 43-year-old man from California—was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 38 pounds of methamphetamines (meth) and another 4 pounds of marijuana. He is facing a felony criminal charge. In this article, our Orlando drug crimes defense attorney… Read More »
Orlando Police Sergeant Arrested And Charged With DUI After Seminole County Car Parking Lot Crash
According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, Anthony Lappas—an Orlando police officer—was arrested and charged with intoxicated driving after a collision in Seminole County. The incident occurred in Winter Springs while Mr. Lappas was reportedly picking up his daughter from a child care facility. He was off-duty at the time of the incident…. Read More »
South Florida Woman Pleads Guilty In Relation To Multi-Million COVID-19 Fraud Scam
According to a report from Fox News, a South Florida woman has pleaded guilty in relation to a multi-million dollar COVID-19 related financial fraud scheme. Danielle Miller, 32, reportedly bragged about her crimes on social media. Here, our Orlando white collar defense lawyer provides a comprehensive detail of the allegations, the charges, and the… Read More »
Criminal Defense: What Is A Bench Warrant In Florida?
An arrest warrant is a court-issued document that authorizes law enforcement to arrest and detain a person who is suspected of committing a crime. The warrant is issued by a judge and contains details about the charges, the suspect’s identity, and, in many cases, the location where they may be found. A bench warrant… Read More »
Can You Be Arrested For Speeding In Florida?
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations in the United States. According to data from AAA, nearly 90 percent of U.S. motorists admit that they have knowingly driven above the speed limit at least once during the past twelve months. The penalties for speeding depend on a number of different factors, including… Read More »
