Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Is Conspiracy To Commit A Drug Offense?
Normally, in order to try a person for a crime, they must have allegedly committed the offense in question. There are only a handful of exceptions to this dictum, and one of them is the offense of conspiracy. Conspiracy is one of the crimes known as “inchoate offenses,” which means that they are incomplete… Read More »
Riverview Domestic Violence Dispute Ends Peacefully
In May 2023, police were able to free a woman being held against her will in a ‘domestic dispute’ happening in a Riverview apartment. Hostage negotiators were called in, and were successful in getting the suspect to release the woman unharmed. He later surrendered to police, and while there is no word as of… Read More »
Possession With Intent To “Sell, Manufacture, Or Deliver”
Florida has a long history of drug crime, with its history as a hotbed of smuggling from the Prohibition era onwards. Because of this, any drug-related crime is taken very seriously by law enforcement. Those charged with simple possession (that is, possession of drugs for one’s own use) will generally face less serious charges… Read More »
Restraining Order Violations Do More Harm Than Good
If you are facing charges of domestic violence, you may be served with a Florida domestic violence injunction (DVI). Designed to protect your alleged victim, a DVI imposes certain restrictions on you, depending on the specifics of your case. It may seem like a good idea to ignore this document, especially if you believe… Read More »
Consequences Of A Florida Domestic Violence Conviction
If a person has been convicted of domestic violence in Florida, their life going forward will be fundamentally different, at least for the next handful of years, if not forever. Even if a person is somehow able to avoid jail time, they will face consequences in many different areas of life, including at work… Read More »
What Are The Penalties For Growing Marijuana In Florida?
As of this writing, the use of marijuana is legal in Florida for those who possess a valid medical card granting them that right. It is not legal to possess, sell, or use recreationally – but in many other states, it is legal for a marijuana user to cultivate a small amount from seeds… Read More »
3 Victims, Suspect Dead, After Domestic Violence “Incident”
In early April 2023, three victims – including two children – were killed after a domestic violence “incident” was reported in Orlando. When law enforcement arrived at the home in question, they soon heard shots from inside. The suspect soon left the home, choosing to fire at law enforcement, who returned fire. All three… Read More »
Reports Of “Zombie Drug” From Florida Attorney General’s Office
In early April 2023, Florida’s Attorney General sent an official request to federal authorities to add a drug called Xylazine to the list of controlled substances. Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, has been getting more popular among substance users since 2021, and has been linked to more and more overdoses by the Florida Department of… Read More »
Strangulation In Domestic Violence Is A Felony In Florida
A study published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine estimates that as many as 60 percent of the victims of domestic violence are strangled at least once during the relationship. This behavior is a serious statistical indicator of future homicidal violence, and allegations of domestic violence that involve non-fatal strangulation are taken extremely seriously…. Read More »
Prescription Drug Fraud In Florida
It is not uncommon for a person to be granted a prescription for a drug that would otherwise be illegal to possess or use – for example, Adderall for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Vicodin for chronic pain. However, there is always a risk of addiction with drugs that are considered controlled substances,… Read More »