In some cases, having a criminal record can negatively impact several areas of your life. In certain cases, Florida allows you to expunge or seal your criminal record. Expunging or sealing a record in Florida means that members of the public cannot view the record. This can help you obtain employment or secure an apartment without disclosing your previous...
Continue ReadingMany criminal defendants use self-defense as an attempt to justify their actions. However, the success of a self-defense claim depends on the laws of the state where the crime occurred. In the United States, most states authorize self-defense under one of two theories: the Castle Doctrine or the Stand Your Ground law. These two self-defense theories have some similarities,...
Continue ReadingSelf-defense laws differ depending on what state you’re in. Florida’s self-defense laws include what lawmakers refer to as a “Stand Your Ground” law. Many clients want to know, What is the Stand Your Ground law in Florida? We’ve prepared a short guide to explain the Stand Your Ground law in Florida and how it applies in criminal cases. If...
Continue ReadingWhether you’ll face jail time for a first-time drug charge depends on a variety of factors. The best way to avoid time in jail involves hiring a criminal defense attorney to help you with your case. That could mean raising legal issues to have evidence thrown out or get the charges dismissed. Or it could also include negotiating with...
Continue ReadingIn Florida, any criminal violation can negatively impact your livelihood. That includes a charge of petit theft, as few employers will hire an individual if they fear that person could steal from them. Not only can a petit theft charge hurt employment prospects, but it could also result in jail time, probation, and a hefty fine. If you find...
Continue ReadingDifferent states throughout the country use different methods to calculate the sentences for people convicted in criminal court. In cases involving felony offenses, Florida uses the Criminal Punishment Code (CPC) as its sentencing guidelines. The sentencing guidelines help determine whether an individual should be sent to prison and if so, the appropriate amount of time. This determination is made...
Continue ReadingIn Florida, certain individuals qualify to have a criminal conviction expunged from their record. When a conviction is expunged, the criminal record of that conviction is physically destroyed or obliterated by the criminal justice agency that has custody of the record. The expungement essentially deletes the conviction from your criminal record. However, not everyone qualifies for expungements in Florida....
Continue ReadingIn Florida, law enforcement authorities take domestic violence allegations very seriously. Unfortunately, disagreements between family members and romantic partners typically unleash strong emotional responses and sometimes result in serious injuries to the persons involved. Due to the seriousness of domestic violence, a first offense can lead to severe criminal penalties. If you’re facing a first-time offense for domestic violence...
Continue ReadingAs a general matter, law enforcement authorities need an arrest warrant before arresting someone on a misdemeanor charge. Breaking this rule makes the arrest illegal and could result in the exclusion of any evidence found at the time of the arrest. However, the legislature authorized Florida misdemeanor exceptions for warrantless arrests, allowing officers to arrest for misdemeanor violations in...
Continue ReadingIn some cases, you can face criminal charges without ever being arrested for a crime. Alternatively, just because you were arrested, you might still be able to avoid criminal charges for the underlying offense. This distinction often creates confusion for criminal defendants, especially for those without the experience of being arrested but not charged with a particular crime. At...
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