Author Archives: Jay Butchko
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 »
Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia In Florida
Being charged with drug possession is a serious crime that has to be handled appropriately. However, there are additional offenses that a State’s Attorney may choose to charge as well, if the situation warrants. The most common is possession of drug paraphernalia, which can encompass several different implements and create significant trouble for someone,… Read More »
The “Double Pandemic”: Domestic Violence & COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cities and towns in Florida and around the United States have reported decreases in arrests linked to domestic violence, but officials are pointing to other factors to insinuate that this may not be a good thing. A lack of arrests for domestic violence does not mean that domestic abuse is… Read More »
Two 17-Year Olds Charged After Selling Drugs On Snapchat
Three teenagers in Polk County were recently caught selling THC cartridges and marijuana via Snapchat after one, a 17-year old, sold $400 worth of marijuana to an undercover police officer. One of the teenagers, a 14-year old, was not charged, but the two elder boys were charged with “multiple felonies,” including possession of marijuana… Read More »
Broward County Leads The Way In Reevaluating Drug Sentences
Florida is known as one of the U.S. states with the harshest drug penalties, due to its past history as a trafficking capital. These penalties include mandatory minimum sentences for the majority of drug offenses – but over time, light has been shed on the inherent inequity of mandatory minimums by groups like The… Read More »
Domestic Violence and Parenting Time in Florida
Most good parents put the welfare of their children before their own, and try to act in a way that puts their best interests first. However, if either parent is ever charged with domestic violence, it can have a major effect on their ability to remain in their children’s lives. During a divorce, Florida… Read More »
Palm Beach Doctor Charged In $681M Substance Abuse Fraud
In early August, a Palm Beach doctor was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud, as well as conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, for his participation in a nearly $700 million fraud scheme almost a decade in the making. The doctor overbilled for tests and treatment for substance abuse patients in over 50… Read More »