Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Drugs With Legitimate Uses Can Still Be Illegal
When the average person hears about drug-related crime, most of the time, incidents involving illegal drugs are being discussed. However, it is also quite common for drugs that have legal, accepted medical uses to pop up in crime reports for unlawful possession, sale, or even trafficking. If you are arrested and charged with possession… Read More »
Clarifying Florida’s Definition Of Domestic Violence
The offense of domestic violence is defined in a different way in practically every U.S. state. Florida’s relevant statute establishes several facts about these types of crimes, but perhaps the most important is that in Florida, no singular crime called ‘domestic violence’ exists in law. The method by which someone is charged with a… Read More »
Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Florida Drug Offenses
The first mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug crimes came about in 1984 with the Crime Control Prevention Act (CCPA) at the federal level, enacted as part of the so-called War on Drugs. Ever since then, sentences have lengthened and judge’s discretion has slowly become less relevant, both at the federal level and the… Read More »
Fighting Florida Domestic Violence Charges – When You Are Innocent
It is not uncommon for those charged with crimes of domestic violence to assert their innocence early and often, usually in an effort to get their charges dropped. However, the rare defendant does come along who is truly innocent of these offenses. If that is you, it is crucial that you not try to… Read More »
Defenses In Florida Domestic Violence Cases
Domestic violence is an offense that is taken very seriously in Florida, because it is seen as a crime against society, not just against an individual victim. If a person is charged with a crime of domestic violence, they can face serious consequences depending on the nature of their situation. However, it is possible… Read More »
Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia Under Florida Law
There are many different types of drugs, and just as many different ways for humans to pack, sell, and ingest them. Because of this, items like syringes, water pipes, scales, rolling papers, scales and containers of all shapes and sizes may be classified as drug paraphernalia, and possession of these items may get a… Read More »
How Not To Violate A Florida Domestic Violence Injunction
Many incidents of domestic violence in Florida eventually involve one party (or in rare instances, both) seeking to obtain a domestic violence injunction (DVI) against the other person. While some people unwisely choose to violate the DVI against them, others are conscientious and actively seek to respect the court and its rulings. If you… Read More »
Explaining Florida Drug Trafficking
Florida law treats drug crimes very seriously, given its history with drug offenses and its habitually high use rate (statistics from the Florida Department of Health estimate that there were 316.8 drug arrests per 100,000 people, which is in the top quarter in the United States). Drug trafficking is seen as one of the… Read More »
Self-Defense In Florida Domestic Violence Cases
Normally, one does not contemplate the idea of self-defense against domestic violence. However, there are many instances where two people may get into a physical altercation, but one or both of them may feel that they are acting in self-defense. If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense in Florida, but you… Read More »
Arrested In Florida, Live Out Of State – What Do I Do?
Tourism is arguably the most important part of Florida’s economy, with approximately 104 million travelers visiting the state in the first three quarters of 2022 (about a 15 percent increase over 2021). Travelers love Florida for its weather and on-the-go lifestyle, but sometimes, it is all too easy to make bad decisions or get… Read More »