Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can I Persuade My Alleged Victim To Drop Domestic Violence Charges?
If you have been charged with a crime that falls under the umbrella of domestic violence, it is crucial that you take such a charge seriously. It is understandable, particularly if this is your first run-in with the law, to be uncomfortable or even frightened at finding yourself in this kind of situation –… Read More »
Florida Still Has Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Drug Crimes
Florida’s legislature has made it clear over the last few decades that drug offenses are taken very seriously in the state, partly due to its history, and partly due to the damage that drugs have done to so many Floridians. Because of this, the sentences for those convicted of drug crimes in the state… Read More »
Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and Domestic Violence In Florida
Most people imagine crimes of domestic violence as physical altercations, sometimes involving firearms or not. However, at least in Florida, there are several different criminal offenses that can fall under the umbrella of domestic violence. Two of them include kidnapping and false imprisonment – offenses that are not necessarily seen as violent, but can… Read More »
Am I Facing A Misdemeanor Or A Felony Drug Charge?
If you are arrested and charged with a drug offense in Florida, one of the first questions you may ask is about the nature of the charges against you. Misdemeanor convictions are seen as less severe, carrying significant but not harsh penalties, while felony convictions can result in serious, long-term consequences. There are four… Read More »
Defenses To Florida Domestic Violence
Being convicted of a crime of domestic violence can lead to a long jail term and large fines in Florida, but despite such serious consequences, far too many cases of domestic violence in the state are brought on somewhat shaky ground. It is not unheard of, for example, for law enforcement to charge a… Read More »
Actual or Constructive Drug Possession
Drug crimes in Florida are taken very seriously, including simple possession of a controlled substance. If you are charged with this offense, you risk being convicted of a felony, depending on the nature of your specific situation – but conviction is not a foregone conclusion. A state’s attorney must still prove that you unlawfully… Read More »
Can I Fight A Florida Domestic Violence Injunction?
If you have been involved in a domestic dispute in Florida, your alleged victim may feel it appropriate to obtain a restraining order (known in Florida as a domestic violence injunction, or DVI) against you. While a temporary or ex parte order can be obtained without your knowledge or consent, a permanent order cannot… Read More »
Stopped For Drugs At The Airport
Airports are places where safety is understandably paramount. Very often, being charged with a crime that happened to take place in an airport means that the defendant may face additional charges because of the location of the alleged offense. One of the most common scenarios when this occurs is when a person is stopped… Read More »
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 »