Monthly Archives: March 2024
I Swear I’m Innocent!
Being charged with a crime of domestic violence, particularly if you have never been in trouble with the law before, can be a terrifying and shameful event even if you know you are guilty – but if you are truly innocent, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the system. Florida law defines… Read More »
Actual vs Constructive Possession In Florida Drug Cases
Possession of drugs is a fairly straightforward crime in most respects; one might figure that either a person possessed drugs, or they did not. In reality, the law allows for more variation and nuance in the definition of “possession.” One of the most common issues in this respect is the concept of actual versus… Read More »
Legal & Practical Consequences Of A Domestic Violence Conviction
Domestic violence is a serious crime that is treated as appropriately serious by Florida authorities. The state does not have one specific cause of action referred to as ‘domestic violence;’ rather, it is treated as an umbrella under which several crimes fit. If a person is convicted of a crime of domestic violence, there… Read More »
Florida Drug-Free Zones Help Protect Children
The concept of the drug-free zone has been present in U.S. jurisprudence since the 1970s, with many of them centered on schools and places of worship. The intent of such a policy is obvious – to protect children from being exposed to drug-related activity in the places they might congregate. On its face, this… Read More »
“Greyson’s Law” Takes Effect In Florida
In the middle of 2023, Florida’s governor signed “Greyson’s Law” into law, planning for it to take effect in July of that year. The law was named for a young child killed by his father in a 2021 murder-suicide, and its intent is to strengthen the law’s ability to protect children at risk of… Read More »
Federal Agency Officially Recommends Rescheduling Cannabis
Both U.S. federal law and the law of the states categorize drugs into schedules, with Schedule I substances having high potential for addiction or abuse and no accepted medical usage. As of this writing, cannabis is a Schedule I drug, treated as highly addictive and dangerous. However, attitudes on its medical uses are changing,… Read More »
When Women Commit Domestic Violence
Statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimate that roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced “some form of physical violence” perpetrated by an intimate partner (currently, there is not enough data to report on trends involving people of other genders). While women are the more frequently… Read More »
Polk County Traffic Stop Turns Into Drug Arrest
A routine traffic stop in Polk County in January 2024 resulted in a sudden arrest on drug charges for one Haines City man. The man was pulled over because his tailgate was allegedly obscuring his license plate, and after law enforcement asked for his license and registration, the man handed them over. However, he… Read More »
Can You Face Federal Charges For Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is generally an intimate offense, involving family or household members (at least in Florida) and perpetrated by someone sharing some kind of relationship with their victim. However, there are rare instances in which a domestic violence-related offense can be charged under federal law. More often than not, a federal conviction means a… Read More »