Fort Lauderdale Legal Blog
Homicides in Florida are prosecuted as manslaughters and murders. Obviously, these are incredibly serious crimes, with penalties ranging from extensive prison sentences to death. First-degree and second-degree murder differ on a couple of elements. First, for first-degree murder must involve premeditation and participation in the act. For second-degree murder, a person must have acted with a “depraved mind” and without…
Chances are good that if you’ve recently watched any film or television show depicting financial, drug-related or other types of criminal activity that there was one at least one scene depicting a briefcase, bag or shoebox filled with high-denomination paper currency changing hands. While paper currency serves as a time-tested crime prop on stage and in film, the author of…
For many ardent football fans, Super Bowl Sunday has the unique distinction of being one of the best and one of the worst days of the year. That’s because while it’s the single most important and entertaining game of the NFL season, it’s also the last game before the start of what seems like a brutally long offseason. While it’s…
Criminal charges for assault can be filed even in the absence of any physical contact between two people. This is an aspect of Florida state law that leaves some defendants feeling confused or disconcerted. Assault, aggravated assault and even assault with a deadly weapon are sometimes determined not by a person’s action but by his or her words or perceived…
Florida police say that a traffic stop led to an arrest and serious criminal allegations for Jabar Gaffney, the former professional wide receiver. He posted a $7,000 bond for the slew of drug charges filed against him shortly after being taken into custody. Among the allegations includes a felony charge for transporting illegal paraphernalia. An officer apparently initiated the traffic stop after…
In 2016, Florida voters approved Amendment 2. To an extent, this measure decriminalized medicinal marijuana so people with certain ailments could benefit from it. This does not mean marijuana has been completely decriminalized. Severe penalties still exist for citizens caught with marijuana on their person. Florida marijuana laws are a little tricky to follow, so here is some information about who can and cannot…
A Florida man is behind bars after sparking statewide concern over the fate of a vulnerable puppy. Police have charged him with felonies for the young pup’s theft, although it is not entirely clear if he will face any other allegations related to the incident. Currently, his only criminal charge appears to be a single count of grand theft. Police believe that…
If you are convicted of a drug offense, you very well may be sentenced to jail time, probation or both. While probation may seem to be much more preferable than jail time, it is still something that needs to be taken seriously. Too many people see probation as a “get out of jail free” card; it is not. While probation…
The Supreme Court of the United States handed down a historic decision yesterday in Hurst v. Florida, a case that has already created major shockwaves in our state’s criminal justice system, calling into question the fate of nearly 390 men and women currently sitting on death row. Here, the underlying issue in Hurst was whether Florida’s death sentencing system is…
As we’ve discussed on our blog, the Department of Justice has adopted what could be termed as a more reasonable approach toward drug crimes over the last year, deciding to essentially change course regarding non-violent, low-level drug offenders. As admirable and encouraging as this about-face has been, it’s incredibly important for people to understand that it in no way means…