Corey I. Cohen Criminal Defense Blog | Orlando Criminal Defense Blog

The element of premeditation in a second degree murder charge

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

It's a serious thing to find yourself facing criminal allegations involving an act of violence against another person. Even if you did not mean to harm a person or the charges against you are false, it is in your interests to take your situation seriously and move to build a viable criminal defense strategy as soon as possible. This is particularly true if you are facing second degree murder charges.

This type of murder charge involves an act that takes the life of one person without premeditation. It is this element of forethought and premeditation that separates a first degree murder from a second degree murder. There are lower penalties associated with a second degree charge, but it could result in years, if not decades, behind bars.

Concerned that a loved one may be involved in drug activity?

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

Anyone can get caught up in activities that are not good for them. In some cases, people could end up involved in illegal activity, such as participating in drug-related activity, that could result in their facing serious criminal charges. You may worry that your loved one is involved in such activity, but at the same time, you are not entirely sure.

For some reason, you feel a little uneasy about some of the activities that your loved one gets into. He or she may meet up with people at odd hours, have a lot of cash on hand, seem a little too secretive about certain behaviors or get defensive when you bring up your concerns. Still, you do not want to accuse him or her outright of being a drug dealer.

Types of drug charges and their implications if convicted

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

Criminal charges of any kind can have a significant negative impact on your future. While you are innocent in the eyes of the law, even the allegations of criminal activity can cause complications in many areas of your personal and professional life. If convicted, you could face penalties that result in time behind bars, fines, loss of reputation and other consequences.

This is particularly true for drug charges. These charges can vary in type and severity, but you would be wise to take your case seriously, no matter what you are up against. The process of defending yourself starts with an understanding of the specific charges you are facing and an explanation of how you can effectively confront the prosecution's case.

Understanding the basics of drug trafficking charges

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Saturday, November 30, 2019.

Drug charges are serious, especially allegations of trafficking. These are criminal charges associated with the importation, deportation or transportation of various types of illegal substances. There are plenty of misconceptions associated with these charges, but if you are facing trafficking charges, you would be wise to take your situation seriously.

A conviction of drug trafficking charges can bring serious penalties to your life. These consequences can range in type and severity, and the specific penalties you may face depend on the type of drugs involved with your case and other factors. Because these are felony charges, it is likely that a conviction or guilty plea will result in at least a few years behind bars. Due to the serious nature of these criminal allegations, it is especially important to confront these charges with a strong defense.

Is your loved one facing heroin-related charges?

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Friday, November 15, 2019.

People from all walks of life can end up in difficult predicaments. Some people may have stereotypical ideas of what someone with a drug addiction is like, but really, addiction could affect anyone. Unfortunately, you may have a loved one who is struggling with a heroin addiction.

Because you love this person, you undoubtedly want to do what you can to help him or her get back on track. You may have provided information on treatment centers, stopped enabling the habit and listened when your loved one needed help. Now, however, you may wonder what to do, as the police recently took your loved one into custody.

Is my DUI charge a felony?

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Florida drunk driving laws are among the toughest in the country. In light of the steady rise in drunk driving accidents and fatalities, safety advocates regularly press lawmakers for more stringent laws and harsher penalties. If you happen to be unfortunate enough to face a DUI arrest, you may feel concerned for your finances and your future.

Whereas drunk driving charges in some states rarely reach the felony level, in Florida, you can face a felony charge relatively easily. No criminal conviction is minor, and even a misdemeanor can affect your career, your education, your government benefits and other aspects of your life. However, a felony conviction on your record may create a lifetime of hardships.

Florida expunction facts

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Though people can grow and mature, sometimes their past can follow them. Particularly in the case of people with a criminal record, their past mistakes can haunt them and interfere with their future success.

Thankfully, in certain cases, it may be possible to seek an expunction of a record. Before pursuing this option, it is important to be aware of a few key facts.

Become familiar with Florida’s shoplifting laws

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

You may not have set out to commit a crime, but on your way out of the store, you find that you did. When security nabs you with something you did not pay for, whether intentional or accidental, it may spell trouble.

Theft laws in Florida statutes spell out what qualifies as stealing and what conviction repercussions may occur. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these laws so that you know what you may face should the above scenario occur.

Pick the right designated driver

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Monday, October 7, 2019.

Driving after consuming too much alcohol is a recipe for disaster. Not only may you injure yourself or others in an alcohol-related crash, but you also may face serious consequences for driving under the influence. Finding a designated driver is a better approach.

Unfortunately, not all your friends or family members make good designated drivers. In fact, according to a recent NBC News study, as many as 40% of designated drivers believe they can drink some alcohol and still be safe behind the wheel. Here are four things to consider when choosing your designated driver:

Key facts about prescription drug charges

On behalf of Corey Cohen of The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

Prescriptions drugs should help those who take them. However, when parties partake of such substances without a true need for them, it crosses into abuse and can have dangerous consequences for those partaking and others around them.

Whether a party faces drug charges for using or providing prescription drugs, understanding the process can help to determine the best possible options for creating a solid defense. There are a few key facts defendants should know.