Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Prescription Drug Fraud In Florida
In the 1990s and 2000s, Florida was notorious for its spread of “pill mills,” where people could obtain opioids like oxycodone via illicit or fake prescriptions. As a result, the reaction was severe; by the 2010s, Florida tightened its laws relating to opioids and prescription pills in general. Instead of eliminating the problem, however,… Read More »
Dealer Sentenced To Life For Ordering Overdose Victim’s Body Dumped
On June 25, 2021, a federal judge in Tampa sentenced a drug dealer to life in prison after ordering the body of a deceased overdose victim to be dumped in a vacant lot. The dealer and his girlfriend were charged with and found guilty of several drug distribution offenses, including conspiracy to distribute both… Read More »
Stalking & Florida Domestic Violence
Florida’s domestic violence law specifies certain crimes that automatically qualify as domestic violence if perpetrated by one “family or household member” against another. Stalking and aggravated stalking are on that list, which means in the long run that if someone is convicted of stalking a family or household member, the offense will be treated… Read More »
Are There Any Defenses To Drug Possession Charges?
Florida law treats even simple drug possession, without any intent to sell, as a serious crime. If you are charged and convicted, the prison sentence is relatively minor, but the consequences can be wide-ranging. Because of this, some drug possession defendants choose to assert what are known as affirmative defenses. While some cases are… Read More »
Death And Domestic Violence
In 2018, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement cataloged over 200 instances of criminal homicide and manslaughter that were linked to domestic violence. While injuries are the much more likely outcome of domestic violence than death, the fact remains that homicides do happen, and the penalties are justifiably stiff. If you have found yourself… Read More »
Florida Drug Trafficking Vs. Drug Possession
If you have been charged with a drug offense in Florida, it is crucial to take it seriously. Because of the state’s history with drugs, any kind of drug-related conviction carries stiff penalties in Florida, and prosecutors are zealous in making examples of people. That said, it is important to be aware of exactly… Read More »
Can A Domestic Violence Conviction Be Expunged In Florida?
Obviously, the best way to avoid having a criminal record is to avoid entanglements that might lead to criminal charges. However, if you are unfortunate enough to have a criminal record in Florida, you may be able to go through what is known as an expungement. Expungement is when a certain criminal offense is… Read More »
Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty After Client’s Overdose
In mid-May, a Tampa woman pled guilty in federal court to “knowingly and intentionally” distributing drugs – specifically, a mix of heroin and fentanyl – to a man who later died of an overdose. Florida has harsh laws surrounding the possession, sale, and trafficking of drugs, but fentanyl is seen as a particularly grave… Read More »
Defenses To Domestic Violence Charges
In general, domestic violence allegations should be taken very seriously. However, they can sometimes be made by people who seek to gain something, instead of by genuine victims. If you have been accused of or charged with domestic violence, you have the right to defend yourself. There are several specific defenses enshrined in Florida… Read More »
Minors Charged With Drug Offenses
The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) estimates that Florida’s young people are about 5 percent less likely to have used drugs recently than teenagers in other states. However, far too many still indulge, and face legal consequences for it. If your child has been charged with a drug crime, it can feel… Read More »