Author Archives: Jay Butchko
“Greyson’s Law” Moves Closer To Becoming Law
In February 2023, the Florida House of Representatives took an important step to help a potentially life-saving measure become law. Its Civil Justice subcommittee passed “Greyson’s Law” unanimously, setting the bill up for a date to be read out to the entire House floor, with a companion bill set to follow the same trajectory… Read More »
Florida DEA Task Force Member Accused Of Buying Illegal Drugs
Unfortunately, not even those who see the effects of illegal drugs firsthand will always be immune to addiction. In March 2023, a former Florida Highway Patrol trooper working with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for being an “unlawful user or addict of controlled substances”… Read More »
Different Possible Defenses To Charges Of Domestic Violence
Florida law treats domestic violence as a serious offense, and if you are facing charges, it is crucial that you understand the potential consequences. That said, defenses to this charge do exist, and depending on the facts of your particular situation, you and your attorney may be able to assert one or more of… Read More »
Misconceptions About Florida Drug Trafficking
Florida has a long history of drug trafficking within its borders, and because of this, drug crimes are treated extremely seriously, with long prison sentences and heavy fines. Because of the amount of controlled substances involved, drug trafficking is generally seen as the most serious of such offenses. That said, too many people labor… Read More »
Fifth Circuit Strikes Down Domestic Violence Gun Ownership Ban
In early February 2023, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal ban on gun ownership for those with domestic violence restraining orders against them was unconstitutional. In U.S. v Rahimi (2023), the panel ruled that despite the defendant’s past history of gun violence, to say nothing… Read More »
What Is ‘Constructive Possession’ Of Drugs?
Possession of drugs is a crime that is taken very seriously in Florida, as the state has one of the highest rates in the U.S. for drug overdoses and arrests. However, what the average person is often unaware of is that you may be charged with drug possession in Florida even if you have… Read More »
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 »