Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Domestic Violence Is Not A Single Crime In Florida
A common misconception around domestic violence law in Florida is that one can be charged with domestic violence as its own offense. In reality, the way Florida law is structured means that a person who has (allegedly) committed a crime of domestic violence is charged with the underlying offense; the presence of domestic violence… Read More »
Is ‘Drug Court’ An Option For Me?
For a variety of reasons, Florida’s drug laws are among the harshest in the United States. If a person is arrested and charged with a drug-related crime in the state, the odds are high that they will face a strict penalty. However, there are options for nonviolent defendants, particularly those who have never been… Read More »
Domestic Violence Against A Pregnant Person Carries Stiffer Penalties
Crimes of domestic violence are taken seriously in Florida, regardless of who the alleged victim may be. However, there are certain particular classes of victims against whom domestic violence is seen as particularly egregious. Pregnant people are at the top of this list; their biological and medical status – particularly during a difficult pregnancy… Read More »
Father Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter After 1 Year Old’s Overdose
In June 2024, a Jacksonville father was charged with aggravated manslaughter after his 1-year old died of a cocaine overdose while in his care. The father and a female companion had “fallen asleep” in the car along with the child, and when the adults awoke, they saw the child was not responsive. This is… Read More »
“No Contest” Pleas In Domestic Violence Cases
When a person is charged with a crime of domestic violence, they will be asked how they wish to plead. What many do not realize is that while not every plea is appropriate for every case, there are more plea options besides guilty and not guilty. One of the options available in many cases… Read More »
Florida Man Looking For Turtle Nests Finds Bricks Of Cocaine On Beach
In mid-June 2024, a man searching a Nassau County beach for sea turtle nests stumbled upon something very different: a bunch of cocaine bricks with an estimated street value of around $4 million. While drug smuggling is common in the waters surrounding Florida, it is much rarer to find contraband so far north. Regardless,… Read More »
“Gabby Petito Act” Took Effect July 1
In 2021, the 22-year old Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito was tragically killed by her then-fiancé during a cross-country van trip the two were taking. Before her death, the two were spotted arguing by police in Utah. After her body was found, her parents filed a civil lawsuit against the police department, alleging that they negligently… Read More »
What Is Florida “Doctor Shopping?”
Florida has very strict laws surrounding the possession, sale, and trafficking of drugs, seeing these crimes as dangerous not only to specific individuals, but to society at large. Generally, this does not apply to those who have legitimate prescriptions for controlled substances – for example, a person diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)… Read More »
How Can Domestic Violence Affect Divorce?
Divorce is never easy, but when domestic violence is a factor, things can get infinitely more complex. Discussions of child visitation and custody are immediately made minefields if a parent has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence, and it can cause major problems for that parent in terms of establishing that they… Read More »
Possession With Intent To Sell/Distribute Drugs In Florida
Possession of drugs is a fairly straightforward offense in Florida, prosecuted strictly because of the state’s history as a cartel playground. However, Florida law distinguishes simple possession from possession with intent to sell or distribute drugs, and for many, it is easy to become confused, particularly if they have never been in trouble with… Read More »