Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Criminal And Civil Consequences Of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a criminal offense in Florida, carrying a sentence of varying severity depending on the underlying crime. However, what many people who are criminally charged with domestic violence are not aware of until too late is that they may also be civilly sued over the same incident. While civil suits cannot put… Read More »
“Pill Mill” History Leads To Harsh Prescription Drug Abuse Laws
There are people in the United States that have legitimate reasons to take opiate painkillers, prescribed by their doctor – for example, chronic pain patients or those with terminal illnesses. However, for many years, there has been a growing epidemic in the country of people obtaining prescription painkillers under false pretenses, and those who… Read More »
Domestic Violence As Your First Offense
For some people, it is unfortunately far too easy to react to a situation with anger or even violence, and no matter how remorseful they may be, they must still face the consequences. This is the case for a significant minority of domestic violence defendants, especially if their being charged with the offense is… Read More »
2 Meth Arrests In 1 Night In Martin County
September has seen an uptick in arrests for methamphetamine (referred to as meth) possession and sale, leading law enforcement officials in West Palm Beach and Martin County to question if general use of the drug is on the rise. On one recent night, police made two arrests in Martin County within hours of each… Read More »
Domestic Violence In Your Past? You May Face Problems In The Future
Domestic violence is a very serious offense, but like any other person convicted of a crime, you deserve a chance to start fresh upon serving your sentence. However, domestic violence is considered to be such a serious crime that having a conviction on your record can stay with you long after any debt to… Read More »
Opioid Overdose Rate May Lead To Murder Charges
The period between January and August 2020 has seen a nearly 50 percent rise in overdose numbers compared with January-August 2019, especially those related to opioid use. Some of these deaths can be ascribed to individual factors, but some have resulted in criminal charges against drug dealers. If you are arrested for dealing drugs,… Read More »
Palm Beach County Man Uses COVID-19 As Domestic Violence Defense
August 2020 saw a unique first in Florida law, when a 45-year old Palm Beach County man pled a defense to domestic violence that blamed his actions on the novel coronavirus. He was arrested after striking his girlfriend multiple times with a leather belt, saying he needed to “remove the demon within her.” The… Read More »
Parscale’s Wife Walks Back Domestic Violence Allegations
In late September, Candice Parscale, the wife of Brad Parscale, a senior adviser to the President, called police from a neighbor’s house after her husband allegedly pulled a gun on her and threatened suicide. She also claimed that he had been “violent with her in the past,” with officers observing “several bruises on her… Read More »
Lost Wallet Leads To Meth Arrest
Normally, honesty is the best policy, but it led to legal trouble for a Florida man accused of trafficking in methamphetamine. In late September, a Good Samaritan turned in a lost wallet to police in Winter Haven, and upon investigating, police found that the wallet’s owner had a felony warrant for trafficking. They got… Read More »
Have I Breached My Domestic Violence Injunction?
Sometimes, people wind up engaging in domestic violence out of a deliberate intent to harm the victim, while others simply let their emotions get the better of them. Either way, you face serious consequences, especially if your victim is able to obtain a domestic violence injunction against you. A domestic violence injunction is available… Read More »