Author Archives: Jay Butchko
The Williams Rule in Florida Domestic Violence Cases
Normally, a Florida defendant’s prior bad acts are not admissible in a new trial unless very specific criteria are met, because a defendant should be tried for their current alleged conduct, rather than their past history. That said, domestic violence cases are some of the few where there is a recognized legal exception stating… Read More »
Drug Arrests After Long Investigations
Sometimes, it takes law enforcement a long time to gather sufficient evidence to make a drug arrest, particularly if the targets are part of a large smuggling operation. Building these cases can take years: partly to find the evidence, and partly to make a case against one or more specific individuals. However, there is… Read More »
Understanding The Statute Of Limitations In Florida Domestic Violence Cases
Being charged with a crime of domestic violence in Florida can be irritating at best, terrifying at worst. Depending on the nature of the offense, it is not inconceivable that a guilty verdict might put you in prison for years or even decades. That said, both civil and criminal law in Florida have statutes… Read More »
Defining Habitual Offender Status For Drug Offenses
Sometimes, when a defendant has been convicted of multiple offenses in the same category, they may acquire the label of a ‘habitual offender.’ Habitual felony offenders in Florida will, as a rule, face notably stiffer sentences if they are convicted again after receiving that status. This is commonly applied to those convicted of drug-related… Read More »
“Standing Your Ground” And Domestic Violence
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” (SYG) law came to the public consciousness in the context of homicides, but what many do not know is that it also applies to home invasion scenarios and, sometimes, to crimes of domestic violence. In general, SYG laws codify the amount of force that is proportional to use against an… Read More »
Florida Drug Possession Charges
Drug possession is one of the most common offenses in Florida, and it can appear deceptively simple, particularly for those who have never been in trouble with the law before. In some cases, however, a possession charge can be more complicated, with several little details to clarify and defend against. If you have been… Read More »
Domestic Violence Convictions Have Long-Term Consequences
Being convicted of a crime is shameful for many people, particularly when it is an intimate offense like a crime of domestic violence. In Florida, this type of conviction can feel even worse, because, like in many other states, a domestic violence conviction in Florida carries long-term social, legal, and potentially financial consequences even… Read More »
Florida Beaches Sometimes See Unexpected Surprises
The state of Florida has historically been a center of drug trafficking and sale, leaving scars on the state’s jurisprudence and its population. Its location at the nexus of multiple seas and oceans has made it unfortunately common for drugs to slip into the state via water – however, sometimes the loads do not… Read More »
Myth Busting Domestic Violence Injunctions
Domestic violence injunctions (DVIs) are sometimes seen as these mythical weapons that can stop an abuser in their tracks. Unfortunately, this is not the case – and while a DVI can be a useful tool for many abuse victims, there is also a fair amount of misinformation about them that gets passed around people… Read More »
Man Charged With Murder By Distribution Of Controlled Substance
In late March 2026, a Manatee County man was charged with murder after it was established that he sold drugs to an Ellenton man who later overdosed. The overdose occurred in 2025, but the Manatee County man was not charged until the evidence to link him with the death was fully established. While it… Read More »