Category Archives: DUI
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 »
Florida DUI Defense
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in the state of Florida, you are facing some serious financial and legal consequences. That’s why now, more than ever, you need an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney in your court. Challenges to the Charges There are a number of lines of attack available to defense… Read More »
Florida DUI Consequences
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you can count on some stiff consequences, along with a slew of expenses coming your way. This is particularly true if this is a repeat offense or your driving while inebriated resulted in property damage, personal injury, or death. While no attorney can make the incident disappear… Read More »
Florida’s Juvenile Justice System
If you’re the parent of a juvenile who’s had a run-in with the law, it could be a jarring crash with reality to see that your child is now head-to-head with the juvenile justice system. You’re not alone in your concern: over 13,000 youth aged 8-18+ were served in juvenile detention facilities throughout Florida… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Says It Is “Reasonable” for Police to Detain, Question Passengers During Traffic Stops
Many criminal cases in Florida start with a traffic stop. An officer may initially intend to cite the driver for something like a broken taillight, only to discover there is evidence of some other crime, such as DUI or drug possession. But what about the passengers in the vehicle? Can the police detain or… Read More »
What Happens If I Flee an Accident Scene Where Someone Has Died?
Any drunk driving arrest is a serious matter in Florida. But when a DUI results in serious injury or death to another person, the consequences are especially severe. Florida classifies DUI manslaughter as a second-degree felony, and in some cases it can be elevated to a first-degree felony, which is punishable by up to… Read More »
How Drunk Driving Can Lead to 24 Years In Prison
Any drunk driving charge is a serious matter. But when an alleged DUI involves serious bodily injury or death to another person, Florida automatically elevates the charge to a felony. Indeed, a DUI that results in the “death of any human being or unborn child” is considered manslaughter, a second-degree felony. The minimum prison… Read More »
Can Florida Police Search Your Car’s “Black Box” Without a Warrant?
Most of us carry a smartphone everywhere. You may not realize it, but these portable computers track your every movement and activity. This data can prove useful to law enforcement looking for evidence of criminal activity. Which is why it is important for courts to define the boundaries of police searches of any device… Read More »
What Happens When Video Evidence Contradicts an Officer’s Testimony in a DUI Case?
Many Florida police departments are now equipping their officers with body cameras. These devices record encounters between police and individuals, such as during a traffic stop where the officer suspects a DUI. In addition to promoting police accountability, evidence obtained from cameras can be useful in corroborating or disproving an officer’s testimony in court…. Read More »
What Justifies a Police Officer’s Suspicion of Drunk Driving?
A legal question that often arises in Florida DUI cases is whether a police officer had “probable cause” to stop a driver. The police cannot simply pull over someone because they have a hunch the driver is drunk. There must be some factual basis for the stop, such as the officer observing the driver… Read More »