Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Stalking Is A Form Of Domestic Violence
Most of the time, people think that crimes of domestic violence must be overtly and immediately violent, such as battery, sexual assault, or even homicide. In reality, many domestic violence crimes do not necessarily inflict major physical harm. Stalking is a prime example of an offense that usually does not result in physical injury… Read More »
“Prior Bad Acts” Evidence In Drug Trafficking Cases
When a person faces trial for drug trafficking in Florida, they can generally assume that only the facts in their current case will be used in the trial. While this is usually true under state law, there are provisions in federal law that allow past bad acts to be admissible as evidence. If you… Read More »
Don’t Just Plead Guilty To Domestic Violence Charges
It is not uncommon, particularly for those who have never been in trouble with the law before, to react emotionally when involved in a domestic violence case. Being charged with a crime of domestic violence can feel overwhelming, and in some, cause feelings of deep shame and regret. These feelings lead some people to… Read More »
Warrantless Searches & Florida Drug Arrests
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution governs what is known as search and seizure law. It states that the people should be free from illegal searches and seizures, and establishes the requirement of a warrant, which can only be granted if probable cause for a search exists. However, there are exceptions in both… Read More »
Violations Of Domestic Violence Injunctions Are Taken Seriously
In matters of domestic violence, domestic violence injunctions (DVIs, also called restraining orders) are granted when the petitioner (the alleged victim) can show that they have been the past victim, or fear they will be the imminent future victim, of domestic violence. They are not granted in every domestic violence proceeding, and this means… Read More »
Cannabis Concentrates Are Against The Law
As of this writing, the state of Florida only allows legal cannabis consumption by those with a medical card, and only in certain forms. Cannabis can be ingested in many different ways, including via smoking or edibles, but another popular method is by ‘dabbing,’ meaning using a type of wax or concentrate. While items… Read More »
Why Does Florida Domestic Abuse Often Go Unreported?
It is common in celebrity gossip to see an allegedly abused spouse stay with their partner, provoking confusion or even anger. The average person may wonder why one spouse stays in the relationship after allegedly being abused. In reality, people remain in abusive relationships, and often do not even report alleged abuse, for several… Read More »
Defending Against Drug Paraphernalia Charges
When a person is arrested for drug possession, another common charge that they may face at the same time is possession of drug paraphernalia. In Florida, the definition of ‘drug paraphernalia’ is very wide, meaning that in some cases, a person may face legal issues for possessing things they had no idea might be… Read More »
Can A Domestic Violence Crime Be Expunged In Florida?
It is not uncommon for a person who has been convicted of domestic violence to wonder about the possibility of expungement. Expungement is the process by which a criminal offense is removed from a person’s record, and while it is generally worth it to inquire, the answer depends on certain specific factors required by… Read More »
My Child Has Been Charged With A Drug Crime, What Do I Do?
The most recent Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) shows a marked downturn in drug and alcohol use among students in the state. However, minors still get caught with illicit substances at roughly the same frequency, and just like with adults, they tend to be prosecuted harshly. Florida handles drug-related cases extremely aggressively, and… Read More »