Apr 15, 2018 | Criminal
Florida juvenile cases generally proceed under chapter 985, but the path depends on the child’s age, alleged conduct, history, and statutory criteria. A minor is not automatically prosecuted in adult court for a serious charge.Juvenile process and...
Apr 1, 2018 | Criminal
Florida law classifies offenses as felonies or misdemeanors based on the statute, not a quick estimate of how much jail time someone might actually serve.Definitions and maximum termsSection 775.08 defines a felony generally by potential punishment in state prison or...
Mar 16, 2018 | Drugs
Florida distinguishes a sale from delivery of a controlled substance. Money need not change hands for a delivery allegation, but the charge and punishment depend on the precise drug and statutory subsection.Sharing is not automatically lawfulSection 893.13 prohibits...
Mar 1, 2018 | Criminal
An arrest does not establish guilt. If you believe you were wrongly accused, preserve evidence and obtain advice about the specific charge rather than relying on the belief that the mistake will correct itself.Being near a crimeBeing a passenger in a car where police...
Feb 16, 2018 | Criminal
If police say you were involved in a crime, the facts of your role matter. Being nearby, knowing a suspect, or driving someone does not by itself establish that you aided an offense. Florida’s principal statute, section 777.011, addresses a person who commits an...
Jun 14, 2017 | Fraud
“Bank fraud” can describe several different schemes, from stolen account credentials to false loan applications and altered checks. The law and evidence vary with the alleged conduct. An accusation does not establish that the person knew of a scheme or intended to...
Jun 7, 2017 | Drugs
After a drug possession arrest in Florida, the charge and next steps depend on the substance, amount, circumstances, and prior record. An arrest is an allegation; the state must prove the charged offense. Florida section 893.13 covers possession and other drug...
May 14, 2017 | Fraud
Medicare billing concerns can involve mistakes, disputed medical necessity, prohibited financial relationships, or knowingly false claims. “Fraud” and “abuse” are not interchangeable labels, and a billing irregularity does not automatically prove a crime. The facts,...
May 1, 2017 | Criminal
An arrest may still appear in a Florida criminal history record even when no conviction followed. A dismissal, acquittal, or decision not to file charges does not necessarily erase the arrest record. Whether a record can be sealed or expunged depends on the...
Apr 14, 2017 | Fraud
Mortgage fraud investigations can focus on materially false information in a loan application or documents used to obtain financing. Common questions concern income, assets, debts, intended occupancy, identity, appraisals, and the source of a down payment. The FBI...
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