Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Parenting Time-Sharing After Domestic Violence
Florida law is designed to always tilt in the best interests of the child or children involved in any situation. Sometimes this can be difficult to determine, however; one must balance the fact that children generally have better outcomes when both parents are in their lives with the fact that an abusive parent should… Read More »
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia In Florida
Drug offenses are seen as very serious crimes in Florida. The state’s history of elevated drug use and addiction mean that law enforcement does its very best to clamp down on those who possess and sell illegal substances – but what many are not aware of is that in some cases, a person need… Read More »
Timeline Of A Florida Domestic Dispute
While every domestic dispute has the potential to unfold in a different fashion, there is a general timeline that every case will follow. While it is never a good thing to find oneself charged with domestic violence, it is still a good idea to understand the legal process, and to arm yourself with the… Read More »
Voters Still Debating Over Legalizing Cannabis In Florida
Over the last decade or so, there has been a significant shift in attitudes toward marijuana among U.S. residents, with data from the Pew Research Center finding only 1 in 10 respondents stating that marijuana should remain illegal in all situations. That said, U.S. federal lawmakers have shown a distinct lack of enthusiasm for… Read More »
Domestic Violence & Firearms
One of the most hotly contested issues surrounding crimes of domestic violence is the fact that by both Florida and federal law, anyone with a domestic violence injunction (DVI) is required to surrender all their firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to keep and… Read More »
Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Drug Offenses Remain In Florida
Florida lawmakers take drug crimes quite seriously, seeing them as crimes against society due to the state’s high rates of addiction. Because of this, and as a leftover from the state’s days of high drug crime rates, lawmakers have consistently voted to retain mandatory minimum sentences for several drug crimes, despite data existing that… Read More »
The Role Of The Victim In Florida Domestic Violence Cases
If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense in Florida, you may think that having a discussion with your alleged victim may get them to “drop the charges.” The reality is that once charges have been issued in a domestic violence matter, the outcome is almost entirely out of the victim’s hands…. Read More »
Is Vaping Legal In Florida?
As of this writing, cannabis is legal to use in Florida only in a medical context, and only with the appropriate permissions and paperwork from your doctor. However, this does not stop many Floridians from seeking out other ways to partake, and one of them that has become popular over time is vaping. While… Read More »
Credibility In Domestic Violence Cases
It is very common in Florida domestic violence cases for there to be credibility issues with one or both of the alleged participants. Even if you have acted in ways you should not have, it is important to try and preserve your credibility at trial, for a negative credibility finding can adversely affect the… Read More »
Will I Be Charged With A Felony Or A Misdemeanor?
If you have been arrested for a drug offense, one of the most important questions on your mind will almost certainly be the severity of any potential charges you will face. Florida has extremely strict drug laws, due to the state’s history as a trafficking hot spot, and while it is true that most… Read More »