Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Florida Domestic Violence And Divorce
Domestic violence is a serious crime in Florida. In addition to the obvious criminal penalties, though, there are certain other consequences that can befall someone who has been charged with or convicted of a domestic violence crime. One of the most serious and long-lasting is the potential for a divorce, which can completely upend… Read More »
Driving Drunk Is A Crime … What About Driving High?
Even the freshest new driver on Florida roads is aware (or should be!) that driving while under the influence of alcohol is a crime. The law holds that the sheer recklessness and disregard for safety that drunk drivers display is enough to impose criminal penalties on anyone who commits the act. However, far fewer… Read More »
The Role Of The Victim In Florida Domestic Violence Cases
Domestic violence is seen as a crime both against society and against your alleged victim. That said, the role of an alleged domestic violence victim in the legal case against their alleged abuser is often much less than one expects. The average person may confuse a criminal proceeding with a civil proceeding, in which… Read More »
Club Drug Leads To Murder Charge For Carrollwood Man
In November 2020, a 25-year old Hillsborough County man died of what was determined to be an overdose of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Almost 1 year later, his friend was arrested and charged with murder in his death. The friend has been charged because Florida law qualifies the “unlawful distribution of drugs” that leads to a… Read More »
Domestic Violence And The Right To Possess Firearms In Florida
If you have been charged with domestic violence in Florida, your alleged victim has the right to seek what is known as a domestic violence injunction against you, which would prevent you from coming into contact with them for a certain period of time. However, if you have an injunction against you, what you… Read More »
State Vs Federal Drug Charges
Due to its geography and history, Florida has an unfortunately high amount of drug crime, particularly in the southern part of the state. State drug laws are harsh in response; with a higher percentage of drug-related crime than many other states, prosecutors will pursue drug offenders aggressively. However, if the crime is egregious enough,… Read More »
Is Self-Defense A Defense To Domestic Violence Charges?
Florida’s law on domestic violence is expansive, encompassing many different potential crimes against many different people. However, it does allow for what are known as affirmative defenses, which a defendant can use in court to try and argue in favor of their innocence. Self-defense is arguably the most commonly used among them, though there… Read More »
Inverness Man Sentenced To Prison After Selling Counterfeit Drugs
In late August 2021, a man from Inverness, in Citrus County, was sentenced by a federal judge to 3 years in prison after being caught selling significant quantities of counterfeit Xanax on the internet. The man had purchased a pill press to “manufacture” fake Xanax pills, selling almost 250,000 before his arrest. While the… Read More »
Orlando Man Shoots Dog Protecting His Girlfriend During Domestic Dispute
On the night of September 10, 2021, an Orlando man and his girlfriend were having a domestic dispute when he came home intoxicated and she hid his weapons, fearful he would use them. The man became aggressive, and when she left to get away from him, he searched for and located a weapon, with… Read More »
Explaining Florida’s Drug Courts
If you have been charged with a drug offense in Florida, it is easy to be terrified, particularly if it is your first encounter with the law. However, depending on your specific situation, it may be possible for you to avoid jail time. Florida has what are known as drug courts, which are a… Read More »