Monthly Archives: December 2024
Can You Be Charged With Murder in Florida If There’s No Body?
In early November, a federal grand jury indicted a Florida businessman on charges that he murdered his wife. What makes this case notable is that prosecutors do not have a key piece of evidence common to homicide cases–a body. According to the Associated Press, the alleged victim, a Spanish national, was last seen in… Read More »
Can You Receive “Multiple Punishments” for the Same Crime in Florida?
You have likely heard the term “double jeopardy” used in connection with criminal law, although you may be unsure what it really means. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution–as well as Article 1 of the Florida Constitution–state that a person cannot be placed in legal jeopardy twice for the same criminal offense…. Read More »
Do You Need to Fire a Weapon to Be Charged with a Crime in Fort Lauderdale?
Since July 2023, Florida law permits most people to openly carry a firearm without first obtaining a permit. Of course, there is a laundry list of exceptions to this rule. There are many places, including most government buildings, where you cannot carry an open or concealed weapon. And certain classes of people, such as… Read More »
When Can You Remove a Juror “for Cause” in Florida?
Every person charged with a crime in Florida has the right to a trial by jury. The purpose of a jury trial is to ensure that a panel of impartial citizens decides a defendant’s guilt or innocence. To help ensure impartiality, the judge and attorneys for the prosecution and defense will question prospective jurors… Read More »
What Happens If a Teenager Is Charged With DUI in Fort Lauderdale?
In Florida, a teenager can obtain a learner’s permit to drive as young as age 15, and their driver’s license as young as age 16. The minimum legal age to drink, however, is 21. So what happens when a teenager who has their driver’s license gets arrested on suspicion of drunk driving? Zero Tolerance… Read More »
How Domestic Violence Charges in Florida Can Affect Your Employment
Allegations of domestic violence are often enough to tar someone as an abuser in the eyes of the press and the public. This often includes the accused person’s employer. Many private and public employers in Fort Lauderdale are reluctant to hire or retain someone who has been convicted of–or even charged with–crimes involving domestic… Read More »
The Basics of Expunging Your Criminal Record in Florida
Under certain conditions, it is possible to have a criminal record sealed or expunged in Florida. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, sealing a record and expunging a record are actually different things. When a criminal record is sealed, members of the general public no longer have access to that information, although it… Read More »
How Does Restitution Work in a Florida Criminal Case?
In a Florida criminal case involving injury to a person or property damage, the state may seek restitution as part of a defendant’s sentence upon conviction. Restitution is simply an amount of money the defendant must pay the victim to “make them whole” for their losses. It is similar to damages awarded in a… Read More »