Category Archives: Criminal Defense
What is a Deportable Offense?
Either directly or indirectly, almost any misdemeanor or felony could be a deportable offense. Aggravated felonies and CIMTs (crimes involving moral turpitude) usually prompt immediate deportation proceedings. More on that below. Furthermore, at a later status adjustment hearing, any criminal record is a black mark that could make the difference between a permanent status… Read More »
DUI and Your Drivers’ License
It’s a little-known fact that the state of Florida can suspend your drivers’ license based solely on a DUI arrest. In fact, pre-arrest suspensions are very common, especially in chemical test refusal cases. Florida is an implied consent state. So, if a driver refuses to provide a chemical sample, for the state, a driver’s… Read More »
Why Does My Lawyer Think I Should Go to Trial?
Nowadays, in federal court, many lawyers hardly ever utter the phrase “I think we should go to trial.” A generation ago, criminal trials in federal court were somewhat common. Today, plea bargains resolve over 95 percent of federal criminal cases. For both sides, a bird in the hand is normally worth two in the… Read More »
What to Expect in a Federal Criminal Case
Eventually, most defendants in most federal criminal cases can expect an out-of-court settlement. As late as the 1980s, criminal trials were somewhat common. Today, they’re almost unheard of. Over 98 percent of federal criminal cases settle out of court. Such a large majority of criminal cases end in plea bargains because this process creates… Read More »
What is the Difference Between Expungement and Sealing in Florida?
The primary difference between these two forms of post-trial relief is the effect they have on a criminal record. Expungement, which completely erases the record, is basically a judicial admission that the defendant was wrongfully accused. It’s generally only available if charges were dropped or the person was acquitted. Sealing conceals a record from… Read More »
What is the Best Defense for a Battery Charge?
Politicians have made ordinary battery and other violent crimes high-priority matters in the Sunshine State. Approximately two-thirds of Floridians don’t feel safe as they go about their daily lives. People who aren’t satisfied with the status quo usually vote for the other guy on election day. Therefore, local law enforcement agencies typically have directions… Read More »
Is DUI a Federal Offense in the USA?
Yes, and the federal law, which is 36 CFR § 4.23, closely mirrors the Florida DUI law. The U.S. Attorney may use direct or circumstantial evidence to establish intoxication, and the other elements of a DUI, beyond any reasonable doubt. So, federal DUIs feature most of the same defenses as Florida DUIs. However, the… Read More »
Plea Bargains in Juvenile Criminal Cases
In Florida, plea bargains resolve over 95 percent of juvenile criminal matters. The plea bargain-based system has been criticized by many, but the system is apparently here to stay. Plea bargains in juvenile court are different from plea bargains in adult criminal court. Although the laws and procedures are basically the same, the focus… Read More »
Sheriff’s Deputies Nab Robbery Suspect
On January 20, 2025, Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 29-year-old man and changed him with multiple crimes. Deputies launched an investigation on Saturday, Jan. 18 after receiving multiple calls about a man robbing multiple gas stations at gunpoint. “Through investigative means, detectives identified the vehicle linked to the crimes, revealing the car was… Read More »
Florida Man Sentenced for Crime Spree
A 29-year-old man who robbed a convenience store, a gas station, carjacked a vehicle, and led federal agents and local authorities on a high-speed chase may spend the next forty years in prison. During these robberies, officials say the defendant held victims at gunpoint. On January 19, 2022, he went back to the gas… Read More »