Posted on October 20, 2016 in Disorderly Conduct

Have you been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in the state of Florida? If so, you are going to need the legal guidance of a Miami criminal defense attorney.

Under the Florida Statute 877.03, disorderly conduct occurs when a person:

• Commits any act that corrupts the morals of the public, outrages the sense of public decency or impacts the peace and quiet of anyone else who witnesses the act
• Is involved in fighting or any other physical altercation, or commits any other act that is considered to be a breach of peace

Consequences for a Disorderly Conduct Charge

In the state of Florida, the crime of Disorderly Conduct is considered a second degree misdemeanor. If you are convicted of this crime, you could be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail, up to 6 months of probation and up to $500 in fines. A judge has the right to impose any combination of these penalties on you, as he sees fit.

How a Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Because the consequences of a Disorderly Conduct charge can be costly and cause serious repercussions, seeking legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney in Miami is definitely within your best interest.

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 Posted on October 19, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

A Schedule IV drug in the state of Florida, being caught with any amount of Xanax – even just one pill – is considered a third degree felony. As such, the consequences for being found in possession of Xanax are costly and detrimental.

Consequences for Xanax Possession

Because Xanax possession is considered a third degree felony offense in the state of Florida, the consequences for being caught with it can be severe. If you are found guilty, your punishment could include up to:

• Five years in prison
• Five years of probation
• A $5,000 fine

Assigned as a Level 3 offense under the state of Florida's Criminal Punishment Code, a judge could sentence anyone who has been convicted with the possession of Xanax to probation; however, he or she also has the option to impose a lengthy sentence that goes up to the statutory maximum.

Additionally, any person who is convicted possession of Xanax will have lose their driving privileges for two years by the Florida DHSMV.

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 Posted on October 04, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

In the state of Florida, domestic violence is taken very seriously by law enforcement officials. Domestic violence is considered a very dangerous crime and, depending on the circumstances, can result in a felony charge. If you were charged with domestic violence, contacting a Miami criminal attorney is in your best interest. A domestic violence attorney will represent your case, will protect your rights, and will work toward having your charges reduced.

What is Considered Domestic Violence in the State of Florida?

Florida statue 741.28 considers any of the following actions domestic violence:

• Assault and aggravated assault
• Battery and aggravated battery
• Sexual assault and battery
• Stalking and aggravated stalking
• Kidnapping
• False imprisonment
• A criminal offense that results in either physical injury or death
• The abuse and/or battery of a current or former spouse
• The abuse and/or battery of any person that is related by either blood or marriage, anyone who resides together as a family

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 Posted on September 27, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Getting behind the wheel of a car just seems so natural that many people forget driving is a privilege. Whether it's too many speeding tickets or failure to pay a ticket, the government has the right to suspend the license of anyone who fails to follow the rules of the road.

A suspended license can certainly make life challenging, which is why many people continue to drive despite the fact that they have lost their driving privileges. In the state of Florida, there are an estimated 2.2 million people whose licenses have been revoked or suspended, and many of them continue to drive. If you have been arrested from driving with a suspended license, contact a criminal defense lawyer in Miami immediately.

Driving with a revoked or suspended license is risky business. Depending on the situation, it could result in hefty fines and possible jail time. The penalty depends on the offense. For example, someone who has their license suspended without their knowledge would be found guilty of a civil infraction, which bears a monetary consequence; however, the offense may be dismissed if the individual obtains and presents a valid driver's license. On the other hand, someone who is caught driving with a suspended license and knew of the suspension will likely be found guilty of a criminal offense. The penalties will vary and are dependent on whether it is a first offense or if has happened more than once.

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 Posted on September 19, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

If you haven't been living under a rock for the past few years, you are probably already familiar with the TV series Breaking Bad. That series alone summed up the process of laundering massive amounts of money earned from illegal activities. If you or someone you know is facing charges of money laundering, you should get in touch with a Miami criminal lawyer without delay. Now we have all heard that crime doesn't pay, but the truth is that at times the financial rewards have outweighed the effort and investment. The only problem is that most of this money is "dirty" and cannot be traced back to any legal source of income like a job, investment, or other earnings. In order to keep this cash usable, individuals ranging from small time drug peddlers to scammers who rake in millions of dollars partake in an activity commonly known as money laundering. Money laundering is exactly what it sounds like – "cleaning" money so that it appears to have been earned from a legal source. Now that we understand what money laundering is in basic terms, let's take a look at how it is done.

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 Posted on August 31, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

One of the biggest challenges you can face in your lifetime is being involved in a criminal case. The judicial system needs to follow a lengthy list of procedures in order to establish innocence or guilt, and complying with those procedures is the only way to ensure your side of the story is heard. While you may have heard from internet experts about how easy it is to represent yourself and win a case that will "show them all", the truth is that the criminal justice system is complicated. Unless you hire an experienced criminal lawyer or DUI lawyer, if the matter involves a DUI, who specialized in the types of situations you are currently dealing with, a dismissal or other type of favorable outcome can be highly unlikely at times. A top ranking Miami criminal lawyer will not only have the knowledge and skills required to represent your case in a better manner; he or she will also have access to vital resources that can turn the case around in your favor.

What Rights Do You Have in the Criminal Process?
Now before you have the opportunity to hire a Miami criminal defense attorney, chances are you may receive a visit from a law enforcement officer representing a state or federal agency. In this type of situation, it certainly helps to know what your rights are in the criminal process and exercise them. This is one way of making sure that you don't end up facing extra charges against you, and it also ensures that you fully exercise your constitutional rights as a citizen.

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 Posted on August 25, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Florida 10-20-Life

Florida has a reputation for tough laws and a no tolerance policy on crime. Among these tough laws is the 10-20-Life law which was designed in an effort to control gun related crimes in the state. This "zero tolerance" law applies to persons who are in possession of a firearm while committing or attempting to commit a crime. The law applies to a large number of situations and can be used to throw the book at individuals involved in all kinds of crimes. The 10-20-Life law gives judges the power to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 10, 15, 20, 25 years or life in prison depending upon the nature of the crime committed. As such, it is important to have a professional criminal lawyer in Miami on your side. If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges involving a weapon, it is a good idea to get in touch with a Miami criminal defense attorney without further delay.

Understanding the 10-20-Life Law

Florida's 10-20-Life law applies to a number of different situations and the outcome following a conviction may vary depending on individual circumstances from case to case. With that in mind, it is best to consult with a criminal defense attorney in Miami for more information.

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 Posted on August 17, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Drunk Driving

Everyone enjoys a drink or two, but one of the most dangerous and reckless situations people can get themselves into is drunk driving. Also known as Driving Under the Influence, or DUI, drunk driving can cause serious problems. In addition to the obvious risk of serious bodily injury or even death, there is always a risk of damaging your own property or the property of others. A DUI charge also shows up on background checks and is looked upon unfavorably when you are applying for jobs or training in certain areas. It is also taken as a negative against leadership roles which require "exercising sound judgment" and a "good moral character" – the list goes on and on. The State of Florida is strict against drunk drivers. If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges in the Miami area, contact our office now to get in touch with a Miami DUI lawyer.

Florida DUI Statutes:
In the state of Florida, Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, chemicals, or controlled substances is defined as:

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 Posted on August 08, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Petit Theft Lawyer

The State of Florida is known around the country for its tough stance on crime, and the case is no different with Petit Theft. Petit Theft or Petty Theft is used to describe taking or using property valued at under $300 without permission of the rightful owner. In today's fast paced environment where you barely have time to give things a second thought, it can become easy to forget or carried away when buying items or using someone else's property. However, that does not excuse the intentional removal of items that belong to someone else. If you or someone you know has been arrested for Petit Theft and is awaiting trial, it is time to get in touch with a Miami petit theft attorney who specializes in theft and larceny related cases.

Statues on Petit Theft in Florida:
The State of Florida defines theft as taking or using someone else's property or belongings while having a criminal intent. Theft includes knowingly obtaining or using, or attempting to obtain or use the property of another person with intent to permanently or temporarily deprive them of that property. It also includes using another person's property in order to get benefits from it without permission, and appropriate the property to yourself without being entitled to do so.

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 Posted on August 05, 2016 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

As one of the larger states in the country, Florida has one of the highest numbers of drivers in the region. With more vehicles out on the roads every single day, it also means more traffic violations occur. Depending on the nature of the offense, a driver may be issued a citation and fined a certain amount. Failure to pay the fine, appear in court for the ticket, or to attend court ordered mandatory driving classes can result in the suspension of a license. It is important to point out here that more than one specific instruction can be included on a single ticket. Failure to comply with these instructions or pay the required fine may result in a suspended license. A license may also be suspended if the traffic stop was a part of a misdemeanor or a felony charge. In these cases, a qualified attorney from a Miami criminal law firm may be able to help.

What Exactly is the D6 License Suspension?

A D6 license suspension means an indefinite suspension of driving privileges. This is not only a major inconvenience during everyday life, but it also creates hurdles in applying for a job, getting to and from work, taking care of your family, and generally getting your life back on track.

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