Two West Palm Beach police officers were fired and one quit when their video camera, mounted in the front of the police cruiser, video-taped the officers kicking and punching a suspect who was in handcuffs. South Florida criminal defense lawyers have been aware of the police brutality for years. Many…
South Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Do the Police Need a Warrant to Make an Arrest?
No. If the police have probable cause they can make an arrest without a warrant. Probable cause means a reasonable person would believe a crime has been committed and you did it. Police must have a warrant to enter a home: with two exceptions: hot pursuit and exigent circumstances. If…
What is an arrest? What is a stop?
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS FROM ARREST TO CRIMINAL CHARGE Police contact begins with a stop, proceeds to a detention and culminates with an arrest. When contact is voluntary you are always free to go. A detention is lawful only if the officer has articulable suspicion that a crime has been committed…
Executions in 2007
470 CHINA 317 IRAN 143 SAUDI ARABIA 135 PAKISTAN 42 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 33 IRAQ 25 VIETNAM 15 YEMEN 15 AFGHANISTAN 9 JAPAN 9 LIBYA 7 SUDAN 7 SYRIA 6 BANGLADESH 5 SOMALIA 3 EQUATORIAL GUINEA 2 SINGAPORE 1 KUWAIT 1 BOTSWANA 1 ETHIOPIA 1 BELARUS 1 INDONESIA
New Rules for South Florida Drug Arrests When Man’s Best Friend Goes Bad
FIDO IS A FINK! A dog working for the police validated a drug possession arrest because it happened fast. The four minute rule is under assault. Drug trafficking and drug possession cases are a top priority for cops in Fort Lauderdale. Searches incident to a traffic stop have always been…
Florida Rules on Imposing Death in Capital Murder Cases
Florida has a death penalty process created by statute and court rule. Florida criminal courts are divided into regions or jurisdictions, but they all follow the same rules. Different districts encompass Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Dade County or Palm Beach County, but they all follow the…
Criminal Adjudication and and Federal Law
Florida courts permit those charged with a crime to avoid a conviction with a “withheld adjudication”. You can truthfully answer “no” to the question: “Have you been found guilty of a felony?” if the criminal court in Florida “withheld adjudication” But…..in Federal court a “withheld” adjudication is considered a finding…
The Basics of Florida Criminal Law
If you need to know practical definitions of crimes such as as assualt, burglary, drug possession, drug trafficking (a total of 50 definitions), there is a book for sale on Amazon.com which can help. South Florida criminal defense attorney Ralph Behr has published an easy-to-read book about criminal law. No…
Crime in South Florida & Georgia
Florida and Georgia unite to fight crime. A joint effort between law enforcement officials in Georgia and Florida to collect and share criminal intelligence will bring criminals to justice. Criminal intelligence…? Oxymoron, dumb oxen, or just police-talk? With this news criminal defense lawyers throughout Florida now know the task force…
Florida Criminal Convictions and Deportations
IMMIGRATION DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF PLEAS Deportation of those convicted of crimes has become a major focus of Federal immigration authorities. Over the past three years the numbers of persons expelled from the US has gone up markedly. South Florida criminal defense lawyers are increasingly asked what can be done. Florida…