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…
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A VIOLATION OF PROBATION WARRANT IS FILED? If you are under a sentence of probation or community control beware. Fewer than one in three succeed without a violation. The most common violation of probation is a failure to check-in, after that comes moving without notice, and then…
IF I’M ARRESTED IN FORT LAUDERDALE DO I HAVE TO TALK TO THE POLICE? No. A police officer can stop you can talk to you but you don’t have to respond. If you believe you are the focus of a criminal investigation, or a person of interest, ask for a…
CORPUS DELICTI: IT’S NOT DEAD IN FLORIDA If you been arrested in Fort Lauderdale and made a confession, it’s not enough for a conviction. The corpus delicti rule means the state must have actual evidence in addition to a confession before judge will allow a jury to deliberate. Fort Lauderdale…
FORT LAUDERDALE NARCOTICS OFFICER CAUSES DEATH OF CANINE OFFICER Fort Lauderdale Florida news broadcasters are howling for justice. A narcotics undercover officer from Coral Springs left his canine police officer dog partner in a hot car and the dog died. It’s now a hot topic: do we arrest and convict…
MARIJUANA GROW HOUSES IN FORT LAUDERDALE Effective August 2008 Florida has enhanced the penalties for marijuana production. Possession of marijuana in smaller amounts remains a misdemeanor. However for those who grow marijuana plants the previous threshold of 300 plants for a first-degree felony, has been lowered. Manufacture of marijuana, a…
ARRESTED IN FORT LAUDERDALE? WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PRINCIPAL In any criminal courtroom in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale or Miami or West Palm Beach, those charged with possession of cocaine or possession of any controlled substance are convicted for things they didn’t do? How can that be? The…
FLORIDA SEX OFFENDER GETS LIFE SENTENCE Although not a South Florida criminal case, Fort Lauderdale criminal attorneys have taken note of a sex offender sentenced to life by a Tampa court. Although there was no physical evidence to link the defendant to the killing and the judge suppressed a tainted…