Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can A Domestic Violence Conviction Be Expunged?
If a person is convicted of a crime of domestic violence in Florida, they will likely face consequences in addition to any jail time they must serve. One of these is having a conviction for a crime of domestic violence on one’s criminal record, which can create a bad impression for anyone who checks… Read More »
Anyone Can Face Drug Trafficking Charges
Florida law treats drug-related offenses very seriously, even harshly. Even simple possession is seen as an offense against society, rather than solely against the drug user. As a result, laws governing these crimes are enforced rigorously, to the point where charges can almost come as a surprise to some. This is particularly evident when… Read More »
Gun Rights After A Domestic Violence Conviction
For good or ill, the right to bear arms is one enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and is taken advantage of by many Floridians. However, this right is not unfettered – there are situations in which your right to possess or use firearms can be lost, either temporarily or permanently. Having a domestic violence… Read More »
Caught Possessing “Drug Paraphernalia” In Florida?
The offense of possession of drug paraphernalia is a strange one to be charged with in Florida. It is usually charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail, but it also encompasses a long, long list of items that might count as drug paraphernalia if found on a person… Read More »
Must There Be An Arrest After A Domestic Dispute?
During a domestic dispute, in the heat of the moment, getting arrested may be the last thing on your mind. However, Florida law has what is known as a mandatory arrest policy when it comes to these matters. What this means for you is that if law enforcement believes there is probable cause to… Read More »
What Happens In Florida Drug Court?
Florida is a state known to prosecute and sentence drug offenses harshly, citing the harm they do to society as well as to the people involved. However, this does not mean that the state thinks prison time is the appropriate response to every drug defendant. It was in Miami-Dade County that the first drug… Read More »
Coercive Control & Domestic Violence In Florida
The legal definition of domestic violence will differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but in most cases, a requirement of physical harm is present. However, this places many victims of abuse in a difficult position simply because they have never been physically assaulted. A pattern of abuse that is more insidious, aimed at tearing down… Read More »
One Florida Drug Law Is Based On Pure Myth
In early 2024, a wave of videos began to make their way around the internet. Each one allegedly showed a law enforcement officer in significant distress after being exposed to fentanyl – except the ‘exposure’ was always via inhalation or skin contact. In reality, these are both extremely unlikely ways to overdose on fentanyl,… Read More »
A Domestic Violence Attorney Can Protect Your Rights
Being accused of a domestic violence offense in Florida is a serious event, and if a person is convicted, the results can change a person’s life profoundly. If you have been accused of this type of crime, it is pivotal to enlist the right attorney to represent you in court, to ensure that your… Read More »
What Is Drug-Induced Homicide?
Florida’s laws on drug offenses are some of the strictest in the nation. Any drug offense, even simple possession, is seen as a crime against society, and thus is prosecuted aggressively. If someone loses their life due to a drug overdose, this is no exception; the person who gave them their fatal dose will… Read More »