Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Are Plea Bargains Possible In Domestic Violence Cases?
The plea-bargain is a tool in an attorney’s arsenal, used in cases where a prosecuting attorney is unsure they will get the outcome they wish for at trial, or where a defense attorney is unsure they will be able to successfully establish a person’s innocence. They are far more common than the average person… Read More »
Felony Drug Offenses In Florida
Committing a drug-related crime in Florida can open a person up to a long jail sentence, given the harshness of the state’s drug laws. Florida’s legislature considers possession and distribution of drugs to be crimes against society, rather than simply against those who use drugs, and state’s attorneys tend to charge these offenses aggressively…. Read More »
Can A Florida Domestic Violence Conviction Be Expunged?
In Florida, there is no specific crime of domestic violence. Rather, the presence of domestic violence in a criminal offense is used as a sentencing enhancement of sorts. This means that domestic violence crimes are not in a category by themselves; rather, they are treated the same way as any other offenses when the… Read More »
Civil Asset Forfeiture After A Florida Drug Crime
Asset forfeiture is a legal process by which property that is believed to be connected to an offense – or was obtained via proceeds from that offense – can be seized by law enforcement. In terms of what may be seized and why, Florida’s law is broad, potentially permitting law enforcement to retain the… Read More »
Domestic Violence Cases Can Be Dangerous For All Involved
In May 2024, a senior airman from Hurlburt Air Force Base was shot and killed by an Okaloosa County deputy. The deputy was responding to an alleged domestic dispute call, having spoken to a woman who had apparently heard an argument. He stopped at the airman’s door, and according to body camera footage, the… Read More »
Alleged ‘Drug Mule’ For Hip-Hop Star Accepts Plea Deal
The hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has faced significant legal trouble in recent months, with accusations of sex trafficking and rape being brought against him. In addition to Combs’ own legal issues, Brendan Paul, a man described as Combs’ alleged “drug mule,” accepted a plea deal in May 2024 to avoid jail time on… Read More »
Is Self-Defense In Domestic Violence Situations A Good Idea?
No one ever anticipates that they will find themselves in a domestic violence situation, but it sadly happens to many. If you are in a situation where you find yourself at risk, the option of self-defense may present itself, but it is important to keep in mind that you must be able to show… Read More »
Navigating Florida’s Legal System As A First-Time Drug Offender
There are some people who sadly become used to navigating the legal system. However, the experience is very different for most first-time offenders, particularly if their alleged crime is a drug-related offense. While it is possible for some first-time drug offenders to experience a lighter sentence or avoid jail time, it is important to… Read More »
There Is A Domestic Violence Injunction Against Me – Now What?
When a domestic dispute happens in the state of Florida, the alleged victim has the right to seek what is known as a domestic violence injunction (DVI) – essentially a specialized restraining order. They can do so very quickly – a temporary or ex parte injunction can be awarded even without hearing your side… Read More »
Dealing With Florida Drug Charges As A Minor
It is a fact of life that many young people see experimenting with drugs as a rite of passage. In reality, it can lead to serious legal consequences that can affect a young person’s future – and not for the better. If you or your minor child has been charged with drug offenses in… Read More »