An internet child sex sting operation in Hillsborough County recently concluded with the arrest of sixteen men in August. Among those arrested in “Operation Small Talk” were a registered sex offender, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and former Manatee County Sheriff’s Office sergeant. Six of the men attempted…
Have you violated your felony probation? If you have, a recent change in the law may help you avoid a lengthy prison sentence resulting from your violation. Until recently, section 948.06(2)(a), Florida Statutes (2015), provided if you admitted to a charged violation of probation, the court could “forthwith revoke, modify,…
Have you been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana? If so, depending on the facts of your particular case, it may be possible to have your charges reduced or even outright dropped. This is because the State’s burden of proving you were actually impaired by marijuana, as…
The Florida First District Court of Appeal recently discussed the admissibility of similar act evidence in crimes involving child molestation in Newman v. State of Florida. In Newman, Appellant was charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of his eight-year-old adopted daughter. At trial, the State presented evidence that when the…
Have you been arrested for carrying a concealed firearm? If so, you may be able to have your case dismissed through a new diversionary program recently created by the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Diversionary programs (also known as pre-trial intervention) are primarily designed for first-time offenders who…
Were you found in violation of your community control for not answering your door when your probation officer came by to conduct a curfew check? If so, you may be able to avoid revocation of your community control and a resultant prison sentence. In Edwards v. State, Mr. Edwards was…
Have you had a permanent injunction for protection against domestic violence, dating violence or repeat violence entered against you? Did you know that even though your injunction supposedly is “permanent” you can nonetheless get it dissolved under certain circumstances? The recent First District Court of Appeal case of James Hobbs…
Have you been arrested for possessing or trafficking drugs? Were the drugs found in a home or other place you do not own? If so, you may not be criminally liable for those drugs, as discussed in a recent court decision. In Dion Johnson v. State of Florida, Mr. Johnson…
The First District Court of Appeal just made it more difficult for the State to prove you committed the crime of carrying a concealed weapon. In Stanley John Kilburn v. State of Florida, Mr. Kilburn was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Kilburn filed a motion to suppress, contending he…
Is someone you know or love currently in a Jacksonville area jail? If so, they may be eligible for immediate resolution of their case and release from the jail due to the coronavirus. And, even if their case can’t quickly be resolved, they may be eligible for an ROR bond…