Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Is “Robbery by Sudden Snatching” in Fort Lauderdale?
“Robbery by sudden snatching” might seem like a complicated phrase, but its meaning is simple. This offense essentially describes pickpocketing. If you attempt to steal items from someone else’s body, you will likely face this criminal charge in Fort Lauderdale. Due to the high concentration of tourists in Florida, pickpocketing is a relatively common… Read More »
What Counts as “False Imprisonment” in a Florida Domestic Violence Charge?
Domestic violence encompasses many possible crimes in Florida – including false imprisonment. This offense is difficult to understand for many defendants. If you have been accused of domestic violence on this basis, you might be wondering what exactly you did wrong. With a clearer understanding of false imprisonment in Florida, it may be easier… Read More »
I Shot a Carjacker in Florida: Will I Go to Prison?
Most people are aware that Florida has strong self-defense laws. But what happens when you try to protect someone else from a violent criminal? What if you discharge your firearm to prevent a carjacking while walking down the street in Fort Lauderdale? If you subsequently face felony charges, you should work on a defense… Read More »
What Happens During Cross-Examination in a Florida Domestic Violence Hearing?
If your significant other is pursuing a domestic violence injunction in Florida, they may decide to testify. Otherwise known as “taking the stand,” this involves speaking under oath. In most cases, they will describe the alleged domestic violence that you have committed. Although this testimony can help them achieve an injunction, there is a… Read More »
Should I Consider a Mock Trial for Criminal Charges in Fort Lauderdale?
When facing criminal charges in Fort Lauderdale, it’s important to consider every possible strategy that might give you an advantage. One option is a mock trial or mock jury. This technique helps you get a sense of how average people, like those potentially serving as jurors in your case, will react to your situation…. Read More »
Fort Lauderdale Woman Faces Charges in Connection to Canadian Gold Heist
In April of 2023, $20 million in gold bars and foreign currency was stolen from the Toronto Pearson International Airport. It proved to be the largest gold heist in Canadian history. Over the next year, Canadian and US authorities conducted an in-depth investigation that revealed a cross-border network of gang activity, gun smuggling, and… Read More »
Can You Face Battery Charges for Spitting on Someone in Fort Lauderdale?
The legal definition of battery is quite broad in Florida. While you might assume that you will only face this charge after physically striking someone, other behavior also falls under battery in Fort Lauderdale. One example is spitting. But can you really face charges for spitting on someone? Woman Arrested After Spitting on Bus… Read More »
Weapons That Are Illegal in Florida – And Three That Are Somehow Legal
While a firearm may seem like the obvious choice for self-defense in Fort Lauderdale, there are all kinds of additional possibilities. Some may be attracted to certain weapons because of their silence, concealability, or non-lethality. Others may lack the legal right to own a firearm, giving them no other choice but to consider alternatives… Read More »
Defining Deadly Weapons in Fort Lauderdale Domestic Violence Cases
Domestic battery charges become much more serious with the presence of a deadly weapon. If prosecutors establish that you used a deadly weapon, you may face mandatory minimum sentences, the loss of your constitutional rights, serious fines, and a range of other consequences for domestic violence in Fort Lauderdale. When facing this situation, it… Read More »
Fighting Charges Related to “Narco-Subs” in Fort Lauderdale
Drug traffickers in Florida use various strategies to circumvent border controls, and one particularly advanced method involves the use of “Narco-Subs.” These are literal submarines that travel under the surface of the water – often packed with cocaine and other substances. Authorities are constantly catching these submarines off the coast of Florida, but many… Read More »