Category Archives: Criminal Defense
When Do Judges Issue Gag Orders?
Free speech: the First Amendment guarantees this right in America. Even so, we know judges issuing gag orders in high-profile cases, plainly restricting the speech of individuals involved in both civil and/or criminal trials. How can both things be true? Why Gag Orders are Issued Typically judges issue gag orders—or non-dissemination orders—as a way… Read More »
Double Jeopardy
Double jeopardy: we’ve all heard about the Constitutional Amendment protecting people from enduring two criminal trials for the same offense, but many people likely do not understand the caveats to this important protection. The fact of the matter is, two separate trials could occur based on the same act under very specific circumstances. For… Read More »
Reverse Warrants
You’ve heard of a search warrant and an arrest warrant. But are you familiar with reverse warrants? If not, you should be, because they are used with regularity all over the country, and they can impact you in ways you’d never imagine. The fact of the matter is, these reverse warrants have eliminated the… Read More »
When Federal Officers use Deadly Force
There have been over 150 fatalities at the hands of federal officers—DEA, FBI, US Marshals, or ATF—in the past five years. Another 80 or so people were wounded. We know that these federal agencies are tasked with going after bad guys—but still—there are questions about the tactics they use and the results they get…. Read More »
The Price of Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Like many states, Florida has mandatory minimum sentences attached to many criminal charges. Created as a way to deter crime, the result has had a number of unintended consequences. Crimes that Come with Mandatory Sentences Certain crimes do have mandatory sentences attached to them, including: Capital crimes; Crimes in which a firearm was used… Read More »
Retail Theft During the Holidays
Here come the holidays, and with them, a loss to retailers to the tune of billions. It’s the busiest shopping period of the year, which means it’s also the prime time for shoplifters to hit the stores, with over 80 percent of all retail theft occurring during the holidays. In just the month between… Read More »
Should You Turn State’s Evidence?
If you are facing serious criminal charges, there may be a way to make a deal with the prosecutor by providing information about a bigger fish related to the criminal activity of which you are accused. This is more formally referred to as turning state’s evidence. What could that mean for you? Federal Mandates … Read More »
Bracing for New Immigration Laws in Florida
Migrant workers have long buttressed the economy in the Sunshine State, working in the jobs that are hard to fill. According to Pew Research, undocumented immigrants comprise just 5 percent of the workforce in this country, but they account for 26 percent of farm workers and 15 percent of construction workers. They also fill… Read More »
Understanding Gag Orders
After a limited gag order was issued against former president Donald Trump by Judge Chutkan in his upcoming Washington, D. C. trial, there have been a plethora of questions about gag orders in general, and specifically in Trump’s case. Read on to have your questions answered: Q & A on Gag Orders Q: What,… Read More »
Double Jeopardy
When most people think of the 5th Amendment, the right to remain silent usually comes to mind. But there is much more to this important amendment to the constitution. Case in point: protection from double jeopardy. What is Double Jeopardy? The important clause in the 5th Amendment is thought to have originated in ancient… Read More »