Posted on September 09, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

A few days ago, a multitude of nude photographs of female celebrities began circulating online. The list of victims includes Kate Upton, Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande, Kirsten Dunst, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Krysten Ritter, among others. While many media outlets have called this incident a scandal, it is more appropriately identified as a sex crime. Simply put, nude photographs were stolen and disseminated without permission. This offense not only includes theft of personal property, but more perversely, the exploitation of the female body.

Many media outlets have morally reprimanded the female celebrities that fell victim to this offense. While it is certainly true that it may be foolish to take nude photographs of oneself on a mobile device that can be easily hacked or stolen, these women did nothing wrong. They simply exercised their right to take pictures of themselves on their personal cell phone devices while relying on an expectation of privacy – which we are all entitled to. Any form of reprimand should be directed at those who stole the personal property from these women and later, dispersed it.

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 Posted on September 08, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

There has been a surge of incidents involving the death of children left in hot, unoccupied cars. Many of these incidents result in charges brought against the child's parent, guardian or other caretaker. Not all states have specific laws designed to target this growing concern. Each state has different laws governing this issue. It is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in your state to learn about the different laws affecting you.

Most recently, in Atlanta, a father whose son died after being left in a hot vehicle was charged with murder. The twenty-two month old child was reportedly left in the car for several hours while the father was at work. Currently, the father is being held without bond and is facing the death penalty stemming from a charge of malice murder. The charges brought against the father focus on the twenty-two month old child's death and the physical pain suffered prior to death. Court filings and testimony seem to show that the incident did not arise out of an accident or mistake, but rather that the father had abandoned the child in an effort to attain a childfree life. Evidence gathered by authorities includes explicit conversations between the father and six women during the course of the workday and more importantly, the father's inaction upon returning to his vehicle and seeing his child.

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 Posted on August 23, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

On Saturday, August 9, 2014, a chain of events occurred that caused the nation to collectively reexamine the power and discretion of police officers in an effort to put an end to police brutality.

On the morning of August 9th, police officers in Ferguson, Missouri, received a call relating to a robbery at a convenience store. The dispatcher then provided police officers with a description of the robber and informed police that the robber was walking towards a Quick Trip convenience store. Shortly after, a police officer encountered an individual named Michael Brown walking down a street with a friend. Brown is then shot to death as a result of the encounter.

The following day on August 10th, police officers provide the following information regarding the incident: Eighteen-year old Michael Brown was unarmed at the time he was approached by the police officer, but Brown physically assaulted the officer and shots were fired.

That same day, a candlelight vigil is held in honor of Michael Brown. However, the vigil turns violent as local businesses are vandalized and looted. Due to the increasing violence, school is cancelled the following day.

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 Posted on August 12, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

DANIA BEACH - - They are not your typical rescue dogs.

Eighteen dogs sitting in kennels at the Humane Society of Broward County are considered evidence in a criminal case.

Their owner, Gisela Tacao, founder of Gigi's Rescue in Hialeah, was arrested April 17 on 53 counts of animal cruelty. She is accused of hoarding dozens of animals in a warehouse in Hialeah and in her duplex in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Tacao, 40, will plead not guilty when she is arraigned on May 5, said her attorney.

After Tacao's arrest, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office turned to rescue groups for help placing the dogs found in her duplex, primarily older Chihuahuas along with miniature pinschers, rat terriers, one Lhasa Apso and a blind Brittany spaniel.

In all, 25 dogs were taken to the Humane Society shelter in Dania Beach.

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 Posted on August 06, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Last month, a 4-week-old baby in North Carolina died after the baby's parents left him in a car for two hours. The parents of the newborn baby have now been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse. Both parents are being held on a $200,000 bond.

Unfortunately, this is not the first reported incident of a child dying after being left in a hot car. Just a couple of months ago, in Georgia, 22-month-old Cooper Harris died after his father Justin Ross Harris left him in the backseat of a car for an entire workday. Justin Ross Harris was charged with murder and child cruelty. Harris told investigators that he forgot the child was in the car. However, investigators claim that Harris researched into how hot a car needs to be in order to kill a child and was also sending explicit text messages to several women while his child was left to die in the backseat of his car.

These two recent incidences are certainly not the first of their nature. Over the past decade, at least 388 children have died from a heatstroke related to being left in a hot car. Just last year, in 2013, it was reported that at least 44 children in the United States died from vehicular heatstroke.

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 Posted on July 29, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

To outline some (but not all) specific drugs and their minimum mandatory amounts, see below:

1. Cannabis (Marijuana)

• 25+ pounds but less than 2,000 pounds (or 300 or more plants) = 3 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 2,000+ pounds but less than 10,000 pounds (or 2,000 or more plants) = 7 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 10,000+ pounds = 15 year minimum mandatory sentence.

2. Cocaine

• 28 grams to 200 grams = 3 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 200 grams to 400 grams = 7 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 400 grams to 150 kilograms = 15 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 150+ kilograms = life sentence.

3. Oxycodone, Hydrocodine, Morphine, Opium and Hydromorphone

• 4 grams to 14 grams = 3 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 14 grams to 28 grams = 15 year minimum mandatory sentence.
• 28 grams to 30 kilograms = 25 year minimum mandatory sentence.

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 Posted on July 25, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

It is no surprise that sentencing outcomes can be more severe if you have prior convictions. If you have been previously convicted of a crime and are facing new criminal charges, it is crucial that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about your legal options and how to protect your rights. Every state follows different sentencing guidelines especially for individuals with past convictions. It is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in your state to learn more about the sentencing guidelines applicable to you.

In Florida, individuals with a criminal past are given harsher sentences following subsequent convictions. Of course, the guidelines depend on the type of offender and the specific crime committed. Florida law requires sentencing enhancements for individuals known as "career criminals." Individuals that fall under this "career criminal" category include Habitual Felony Offender (HO), Habitual Violent Offender (HVO), Violent Career Criminal (VCC), and a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern (VFOSC). Each designation carries different sentencing guidelines.

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 Posted on July 25, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Streaking is the act of running through a public or private place naked, without clothes on. The act of streaking essentially consists of an individual exposing his or her body to the public eye. Although the act of streaking is usually done to complete a dare or prank and is oftentimes a great source of comedy in movies, it is illegal in Florida. Amidst all the fun and games, everyone forgets that streaking is an actual offense punishable by the law. If you are charged with indecent exposure and subsequently convicted, you could be facing serious consequences. Contact an experienced Florida criminal lawyer to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.

Indecent exposure laws vary between states. A criminal defense attorney in your state is best equipped to protect your rights and help you achieve the best results.

Florida law classifies indecent exposure as a first-degree misdemeanor. Those found guilty of the offense can serve up to one year in jail or face twelve months of probation as well as incur fines. Additionally, a successful indecent exposure conviction carries significant lasting effects. If you are found guilty, the offense can interfere with various aspects of your life including employment and school. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about the lifelong devastating consequences of an indecent exposure conviction. A qualified criminal defense attorney can work with you and your prosecutors to help reduce the negative consequences that can stem from an indecent exposure conviction.

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 Posted on July 23, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Marijuana delivery services are taking off! And it is no surprise that this new service is proving to be a success! It's quick, easy and convenient for consumers.

Following the legalization of medical marijuana in California, dispensaries opened up in order to provide qualified patients a safe and comfortable place to obtain their medical marijuana. However, the recent emergence of marijuana delivery services may just make those dispensaries a thing of the past!

California's most popular marijuana delivery service is known as Speed Weed. The company has about 25 drivers, a delivery area of about 6,000 square miles and multiple offices around the Southern California area in order to meet delivery requests in a timely manner. When patients need a refill on their supply of marijuana, pre-rolled joints, and pot-infused edibles, they either place a call to Speed Weed or use Speed Weed's website to place an online order. Within an hour, a driver pulls up to the patient's home carrying a white paper bag filled with the patient's order and leaves the order with that patient. It's quick and easy.

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 Posted on July 22, 2014 in Miami Criminal Defense News & Articles

Research shows that marijuana can remedy some medical conditions and ailments. Below are ten ways that marijuana can be beneficial to your health!

1. THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana, can help stimulate appetite in people with cancer.
2. Marijuana can help ease symptoms associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as inflammation of the digestive tract.
3. Marijuana can decrease a person's chances of developing bladder cancer. This research is based on an 11 year study that included 83,000 people.
4. Individuals who use marijuana have healthier levels of insulin than those who don't use marijuana. This can be extremely beneficial to Diabetics who rely on insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
5. Marijuana can help ease migraines.
6. Marijuana can also alleviate symptoms associated with Multiple Sclerosis such as spasticity and overactive bladder.
7. Marijuana can also treat nausea and inhibit vomiting.
8. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms can be eased with marijuana.
9. Studies show that marijuana eases neuropathic pain (burning sensations in the nerves).
10. Marijuana has also been used to treat seizures related to epilepsy.

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