Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Driving While High In Florida
The overwhelming majority of people know that driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime in Florida, punishable by jail time, fines, and a host of other consequences. However, as the position of marijuana and certain other drugs evolve in our society, sometimes people forget that just because something is legal does not… Read More »
Specific Crimes Of Domestic Violence In Florida
The pop culture perception of domestic violence always seems to involve assault and/or battery, but in Florida, there are several different crimes that fall under the heading of domestic violence. If you commit a criminal offense against a specific class of person, there is a good chance it will be considered domestic violence despite… Read More »
West Palm Beach Fires City IT Manager For Using Medical Marijuana
In the 2016 elections, Florida voters elected to begin a medical marijuana program in their state for those who suffer from certain serious medical conditions. However, many different aspects of using marijuana legally are still being ironed out by society. In late March, the city of West Palm Beach terminated a “top information technology… Read More »
Children In Domestic Violence Cases
No good parent ever wants their children to be exposed to familial fighting. However, if domestic violence happens in the home and your children are in a place to experience it, there can be severe consequences for both them and you, especially if you are held to have been the aggressor in any domestic… Read More »
Florida Doctor Caught With Enough Drugs To “Exceed Trafficking Quantities”
In early April 2021, a Naples physician was arrested after Collier County law enforcement executed a warrant on his home and found nine “sloppily constructed” items that were thought to be improvised explosive devices, as well as three creations thought to be improvised mines. In addition, detectives found enough of several different drugs to… Read More »
Women Facing Domestic Violence Charges In Florida
Stereotypically, one thinks of domestic abuse as a crime committed by men against their wives. However, between a shift in gender roles in the United States and an expansion of the definition of domestic violence, more and more women are being accused of domestic violence. While anyone whose conduct fits the definition of domestic… Read More »
Legislation Filed (Again) To Repeal (Some) Florida Mandatory Minimums
For the second time, State Rep. Anna Eskamani has filed legislation seeking to repeal certain mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders. The original attempt at repeal died in subcommittee in March of last year, but there has been a groundswell of support for repeal for years now; several studies show that harsh punishment… Read More »
Domestic Violence Committed Against Non-Romantic Partners
Most of the time, when one discusses domestic violence, it is in the context of married couples, or at least between those in romantic relationships. However, Florida’s definition of domestic violence is expansive enough to include not only romantic partners, but ‘family or household members’ as well. If you have acted in a threatening… Read More »
What Is The Federal “Kingpin” Statute?
In the 1970s and 1980s, South Florida was beset by drug cartels, primarily based in Colombia, as they fought amongst themselves and with police while trying to take over the drug trade in the state. One of the laws used to help combat their influence was the Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) statute, also referred… Read More »
Have You Been Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence?
While the strong majority of domestic violence charges filed in Florida are based on legitimate evidence, it is not unheard of that one actor might claim domestic abuse has happened when it has not. There are several different reasons why someone might make false allegations of domestic violence, but if you are the unfortunate… Read More »