James Ray Booth, 59, once a convict serving a life sentence, now serves a 10 year sentence. He was charged in 2006 with first-degree murder yet acquitted of aggravated battery and armed burglary recently this year in a new trial. The jury found nevertheless guilty of third-degree murder and aggravated…
Some predict Barack Obama, the President-Elect, to become one of the most stringent opposers of anti-gun control legislation. Record numbers of concerned citizens have gone in droves to gun stores across the state to purchase firearms they would otherwise have never bought. Florida Law states that one must maintain a…
The winter holiday season is one of good times and cheer. But drinking does not mix in with driving your car back home from that pub where you melted away your woes from the work day. Troopers say winter is the most dangerous time of the year because more drivers…
MORE MORTGAGE FRAUD CONVICTIONS IN SOUTH FLORIDA The United States Attorney for South Florida announced mortgage fraud convictions of Vincent Artuso and John Artuso. Both were sentenced to 108 months of prison. Restitution of $5,814,000.00 was ordered. Both were convicted of mortgage fraud and RICO as well as money laundering.…
FLORIDA DUI LAWS The DUI punishments in Florida have been increased. Starting October 2008 fines are doubled for first DUI convictions to $500. A maximum of $1000 fine can be imposed on a first DUI conviction in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, Broward, Miami and West Palm Beach. In Florida a…
In Florida DUI cases a blood alcohol reading from a breath-test device allows the prosecutor to tell the jury that the defendant is presumed intoxicated. The breath-test machines, usually an Intoxilizer (brand) were upheld again by a Florida court. The over 200 DUI cases in South Florida, Broward and Dade…
The FBI announced that violent crime dipped nationwide in calendar year 2007. Robbery, murder, armed drug trafficking, manslaughter remain among the most “popular” crimes for prosecutors in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The report states that two years of increases in murders, robberies and other kinds violent crimes in…
SHOULD I POST BAIL FIRST? CALL A LAWYER? CALL A BONSMAN? Call a lawyer first, why? First: a local lawyer knows the local bondagents, your lawyer can get a good bond and control the bondsman: use the lawyer as a problem solver. Second: the lawyer may be able to get…
VIOLATION OF PROBATION & VIOLATION OF COMMUNITY CONTROL IN FORT LAUDERDALE Probation and Community Control are sentences, not pre-trial release; and sentences must be followed. If you fail to follow any condition of probation, the probation officer will report to his supervisor. If the violation is willful and substantial then…
FLORIDA LAW ON BURGLARIES If you’ve been arrested in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and charged with burglary make sure your criminal defense attorney checks the most recent changes to the burglary statute. The law in Florida, of which Fort Lauderdale is a part, is a burglary…