Posted on January 24, 2017 in Juvenile

Unfortunately, it is a story that is not uncommon: those under the age of 18 are charged with a crime for various reasons, serve time in Juvenile Detention, and then are released. Once released, they try to move on with their lives, trying to become active and productive members of society. Unfortunately, the monetary fines that are associated with juvenile charges often follow them into their adult lives, burdening them with financial obligations and making the difficulties they already face even more challenging.

In the past few years, a lot of research has been conducted to determine how the charges and fees that people face in the adult criminal justice system are leading them into serious financial difficulties. Because of these financial challenges and the high cost of legal fees and fines, all too many individuals are arrested and serve lengthy prison sentences – likely as a domino effect from being in such a significant financial hole. The people who are impacted the most were arrested and charged with minor infractions, served a sentence in a juvenile corrections facility, and are ordered to pay astronomical fees that they simply cannot afford.

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 Posted on January 23, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

It's a nightmare scenario for most parents: their children board a bus to go to school and the bus is involved in an accident. The only thing that could make this nightmare worse is finding out that the bus driver – the individual who parents had entrusted to safely transport their children to school – was driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. For parents in Pinellas County, Florida, this nightmare became a reality.

Dorothy Lynn Burse, the driver of the school bus, was driving west on the inside lane of 54^th Avenue North at about 3 pm on January 3, 2017. As she approached a red light at 66^th Street North, she stopped the bus and it was hit from behind by a driver in a Nissan.

The driver of the Nissan fled the scene, and the search for the driver is still underway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, which was a sigh of relief for all parents of those children on board the bus. However, what made this horrific incident even more horrifying for parents is what they later found out: the driver of the bus was charged with a DUI by state troopers. According to reports, Burse was under the influence of a controlled substance while she was operating the bus and is not only facing DUI charges, but child neglect charges as well. Burse is scheduled to appear in court and has a bond that was set at $20,500, as per her jail records.

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 Posted on January 20, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

It may come as a surprise to many, but in 2016, marijuana sales grew at an alarming rate. A total of $6.7 billion worth of marijuana was sold legally in both the United States and Canada – that's a 30% increase of the legal sales of marijuana in just one year. And, as unprecedented as those numbers may seem to be, they are nothing when they are compared to the sales that are projected from now until 2021; it is estimated that the sale of legal marijuana will grow to more than $20.2 billion between 2016 and 2021. That's a $13.5 billion increase in sales in just five years.

To put this rise in the legal sale of marijuana into perspective, the growth is bigger, and at a more rapid rate than the rate of growth during the "dot-com" era. During that era, the GDP rose at a rate that had never been seen before; 22%. So, when you think about how much the legal sale of marijuana is projected to grow – at a rate that is even higher than one of the biggest growth rates ever in history - you can really see how impressive these projected sales increases are. Tom Adams, the editor-in-chief of Arcview, said the only areas that he ever witnessed reach a $5 billion yearly increase in spending were in the sales of cable TV in the 1990s and broadband Internet in the 2000s. Troy Dayton, the Chief Executive Officer of Arcview said one of the biggest reasons why the growth of marijuana sales has spiked in 2016 is because of edibles and concentrates. He noted that these are quickly becoming the preferred way to consume marijuana; people prefer these ingestion options over traditional smoking.

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 Posted on January 19, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

There has been an unprecedented rise in gun violence in the United States in the past few years. In 2016, the number of shootings rose dramatically, and it doesn't look like this violence is going to get much better in 2017.

While countless people hope for good things to come in the New Year, thousands of people had their hopes squashed, thanks to a gunman who went on a shooting spree in a Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in the first week of 2017. His violent shooting spree lead to the murder of five people, injured many others, and left thousands of other people mentally and emotionally scarred; and the rest of the nation – and the world – reeling.

Twenty-six-year-old Esteban Santiago was taken into custody for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shooting spree. According to a top Miami criminal defense lawyer, Santiago will very likely be facing murder charges for the five people that were killed at the hands of his gun. Furthermore, Santiago could be facing even more criminal charges, including assault, weapons offenses, and attempted murder. The case against Santiago can also be brought into federal court by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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 Posted on January 16, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

If you have been arrested in Miami, the decisions that you make after can have lasting implications. You may have to serve a jail sentence, pay hefty fines, lose your driver's license, or face probation; and those are just a few of the consequences that you could be facing whether you were arrested for a misdemeanor or felony charges. One of the most important decisions that you can make after being charged with a crime in Miami is to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney who has a proven track record of success.

How a Miami Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

If you have been charged with a crime in the state of Florida, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony offense, having the best legal representation possible is essential to obtain the best possible result for you.

A criminal defense attorney will have your best interest at heart and will be able to fully advise you of all possible options for a defense. He or she will fully assess your case and establish your role in the charges that you are facing. Your attorney will determine the best possible defense to prove your innocence for the crime(s) that you have been charged with. A lawyer will guide you through the legal process, negotiate with the prosecution, file any appropriate legal motions, and argue on your behalf in front of a judge or jury.

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 Posted on January 10, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

In the state of Florida, a petit theft refers to the taking or using of property that is valued to be worth $300 or less. The property or item must be taken with the intention of depriving the owner of the property temporarily or permanently. In Florida, the crime of petit theft constitutes a misdemeanor offense. Although it may only be a misdemeanor, if you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with petit theft in Miami, it is strongly advised that you seek the advice of a Miami criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Penalties for Petit Theft in Florida

For a first-time arrest for petit theft, the law is that it constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor. The charges for a first offense can include:

• Up to sixty days in jail
• A driver's license suspension up to six months

For a second offense, petit theft can be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, with penalties that can include:

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 Posted on January 09, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

In the state of Florida, prostitution is illegal and considered a criminal offense. If you have been charged with prostitution, you may be worried about the implications that such a charge will have on you, the consequences you will face, and how such a charge will affect your future. If you or someone you know has been arrested for prostitution, seeking the legal counsel of a Miami criminal defense lawyer is in your best interest. With a Miami criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to beat your prostitution charge so that you won't have to deal with a conviction, probation, or even jail time.

Prostitution in Florida Defined

In the state of Florida, statue 796.07 is titled 'Prohibiting prostitution and related acts.' This means that offering or receiving the human body for hire for any sexual act is considered a criminal offense. Under this statute, any of the following acts are considered unlawful:

• Owning, establishing, operating or maintaining a place, building or structure for the intended purpose of sexual lewdness or prostitution

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 Posted on January 09, 2017 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Miami Criminal Defense

Have you been arrested for cocaine possession? If so, you are probably feeling overwhelmed, scared, nervous and unsure of what to expect. In the state of Florida, being in possession of cocaine in any amount is considered a felony offense. Even if you were only found to have a small bag with cocaine residue in it, you will still be charged with a third-degree felony in Florida. In fact, it will only remain a third-degree felony if the amount and circumstances surrounding the possession indicate that it was for personal consumption only. If there is probable cause that someone had cocaine with intent to sell it or more than a certain weight limit, the charge will likely constitute a second or first-degree felony.

Because an arrest for the possession of cocaine is considered a felony offense, the penalties and punishments that are associated with the charge can be severe. If you have been arrested and charged with cocaine possession, you are innocent until proven guilty and should immediately consult with a criminal defense lawyer. With the right criminal lawyer representing you, you will ensure that your rights are protected and that you are aware of all possible outcomes and options available to you throughout the legal process.

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 Posted on December 30, 2016 in Domestic Violence

Criminal Defense Lawyer Miami

In the state of Florida, an "injunction" is defined as a court order that prohibits or limits your ability to be in contact with another person. If you have been served with an injunction as a result of domestic violence allegations and you violate it, you will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in the county jail. If you are facing such charges, it is imperative that you consult with an experience criminal defense attorney.

What is a Domestic Violence Injunction?

According to Florida law, a Domestic Violence Injunction is a court order issued as a result of a prior petition regarding domestic violence. An injunction will restrict or limit your ability to have contact, including physical or other forms of communication (email, letters, texts, social media, etc) with another person. The goal of an injunction is to protect both parties from possible physical or mental harm that may be committed by another person.

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 Posted on December 29, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Miami DUI Attorney

Have you or someone you know been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs? Is it your first offense? If so, you are probably wrought with fear, wondering what will happen to your future. Will the charge affect your permanent record? Will you have to pay massive fines? Will you have to spend time in jail? How will the charge affect your livelihood?

These are legitimate concerns, but if it is a first offense, the outlook may not be as detrimental with the help of a top criminal defense attorney.

What is a First Time DUI Offense?

If you have been charged with a first-time DUI offense, it means that you have never been arrest or convicted for a DUI in the past. It does not necessarily mean that you have not damaged any property and that you have not injured anyone else. Additionally, a first-time DUI charge means that your blood or breath alcohol content level was at or above 0.08 BAC or there is other evidence that you were impaired at the time you were driving.

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