Author Archives: Jay Butchko
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 »
Can the Police Search Property You Don’t Claim to Own?
In most cases, the police need a warrant before they can search your property without your consent. More precisely, the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects you from an unreasonable search in any place where you have a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” This includes any devices where you may store private information,… Read More »
When Can a “Welfare Check” Lead to a Criminal Arrest in Florida?
When a police officer sees you commit an apparent traffic violation, it is lawful for that officer to pull you over and initiate a traffic stop. The officer may then try to extend that stop if they observe evidence of some other possible crime, such as DUI or drug possession. Of course, the officer… Read More »
How Many Juror “Challenges” Can I Make in a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Case?
The right to trial by jury is one of the most important constitutional protections given to persons accused of committing a crime. In Florida, you have the right to trial by jury in all criminal cases. In capital cases–i.e., offenses that carry the possibility of the death penalty–a jury must be composed of 12… Read More »
Can Florida Prosecutors Add Criminal Charges at the Last Minute?
When a person is accused of domestic violence, there is often a temptation to contact the accuser in an attempt to “work things out.” However, once the law is involved and there has been an arrest or indictment, engaging in such contact can only lead to more legal problems. Indeed, Florida prosecutors can charge… Read More »
What Is a “Wheel Witness” in Fort Lauderdale?
If you have been charged with a traffic offense in Fort Lauderdale, you might encounter many new, confusing phrases. One of these phrases is “wheel witness.” What exactly is a wheel witness? Why are they important, and what role could they have in your case? While internet research is certainly a positive first step,… Read More »
Man Gets Years in Prison for Promoting Fake Concerts in Fort Lauderdale
It is easier to commit white-collar crime than many people realize. Wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and similar crimes may lead to felony charges and lengthy prison sentences – and this is something a South Florida man recently discovered after promoting what prosecutors call “bogus concerts.” What happens if you promote a fake… Read More »