If law enforcement pulls you over on suspicion of drunk driving, the officer will ask you some questions. You always want to interact with a police officer in a courteous manner, but are you required to answer questions? What are your rights? Possible questions The...
Year: 2020
Police can sometimes conduct warrantless searches
Florida drivers know that at some point, they could be stopped by the police. It could be for an issue as simple as a broken tail light, or it could be for something that they're not even aware of. Many drivers are not clear if the police can legitimately search their...
Disputing disorderly conduct charges
Authorities in Florida and most other states may charge you with disorderly conduct for playing music too loud or for being drunk in public. In some cases, you may be charged with disturbing the peace or with something like indecent exposure that better describes your...
Is It Time For Florida To Get Rid Of Mandatory Minimum Laws?
Do people deserve second chances? If a young person commits a first-time offense for a drug crime, should they really have to pay for it the rest of their lives? Is that fair? Is that what justice looks like? With nationwide conversation about criminal justice reform...
What If The Police Officer Who Pulls You Over Isn’t Really A Police Officer?
Getting stopped by police is stressful. In their uniform with their hand near their firearm, police officers can be extremely intimidating. But what if the person who pulled you over was not actually a police officer? What if it was simply someone wearing a uniform...
A DUI can result in serious, harsh penalties for drivers
Florida drivers know that getting pulled over for a suspected DUI is no joke. However, the stories surrounding these offenses can sometimes serve as humorous lessons to all drivers. A DUI can result in a simple accident in a best-case scenario and death in a...
Why you should talk to a lawyer before the police
If police ever show up at your door, investigating you for criminal activity, you need to know what to do. Your decision to talk to them and answer their questions likely could backfire. Instead of answering questions, first you can tell the police you are opting to...
Can authorities search your car without a warrant?
A traffic stop is often a stressful experience, and if the law enforcement officer who stops you wants to search your car, you may not know when you have the right to refuse. Many people think that authorities only have the right to search your vehicle when they are...
Factors that contribute to wrongful convictions
For many years, DNA evidence has been used to overturn convictions in cases overseen by judges in Florida and throughout the country. Research has discovered a few common reasons why individuals may have been wrongfully convicted, and that research has led to reforms...
Reasons for a preliminary hearing
If you are charged with a crime in the state of Florida, a preliminary hearing will typically be held to review the evidence against you. This type of hearing may also be held in civil matters such as a divorce or car accident case. Generally speaking, both witness...