Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Do Domestic Violence Diversion Programs Exist In Florida?
Domestic violence is a crime taken very seriously in Florida, given the amount of harm it can do not only to the victim, but to everyone around them. These cases are prosecuted aggressively, with plea-bargains few and far between. That said, there are rare offenders who may qualify for what is known as a… Read More »
Is A Warrant Required For A Drug Arrest?
The average person generally believes that law enforcement must always obtain a warrant in order to make an arrest. In reality, there are several different scenarios in which a warrant may not be required, and many of them occur in situations involving drugs. In general, if you have been charged with a Florida drug… Read More »
Teen Domestic Violence On The Rise In Florida
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), female teenagers suffer the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV, which is another name for domestic violence) in the country. While most advocacy against domestic violence is targeted at older adult women, teen dating violence can have very serious consequences, and may even be… Read More »
Sentences For Drug Crimes Harsher In Certain Locations
In Florida, there are certain physical locations that the legislature has designated ‘drug-free zones.’ While the state regulates possession of illegal drugs severely everywhere, possessing or selling them in drug-free zones is seen as a greater crime against society, and because of this, courts tend to impose much harsher sentences on those who are… Read More »
WBA Boxing Champ Arrested In Parkland After Domestic Dispute
A 28-year old man who previously held titles in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) was arrested on December 26, 2022, being charged with domestic violence causing bodily harm. 911 calls from his alleged victim were made from the home, saying she was trying to flee but being prevented from… Read More »
How Does Florida’s Marchman Act Apply To Drug Offenders?
Florida is the U.S. state with some of the harshest drug-related sentences in the nation, mostly due to its past history with both illegal drugs smuggled in, and prescription “pill mills” operating with the pretense of legality. As such, if a person is arrested and charged with a drug offense, their status as a… Read More »
Domestic Violence And False Imprisonment
The average person who hears the term “false imprisonment” may think of a fairly dire picture – a person locked in a dark room, tied up and blindfolded. In reality, the definition of false imprisonment in Florida is to “forcibly or by threat” imprison a person without lawful authority and without their consent. This… Read More »
New Data Shows Decrease In Opioid Deaths In Palm Beach County
In late 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Annual Medical Examiners Report was released, with interesting new data on drug deaths in the state. According to the report, opioid deaths in Palm Beach County decreased by approximately 15 percent, while the total numbers statewide were up around 5 percent. While more and more… Read More »