Posts by Sean Lopez
Can I Relocate with My Child After Divorce in Florida?
A Florida family law attorney can be an important ally if you are planning to move more than 50 miles away with your child after divorce. Florida’s relocation statute applies even when a parent has majority time-sharing, and many parents are surprised to learn that custody alone does not authorize relocation. Courts review these requests…
Read MoreWhat Are Florida’s Business Laws I Need to Know as a Business Owner?
A Florida business law attorney can help protect your company from the serious consequences of missed compliance deadlines. Florida may administratively dissolve a business if its annual report is not filed, even though the filing process online usually takes only a few minutes. When a company loses its good standing, it also loses key legal…
Read MoreHow Are Weapons Charges Handled in St. Petersburg?
Facing a weapons charge in St. Petersburg is challenging, whether it involves concealed carry violations, possession allegations, or more serious firearm offenses. A single charge may draw both state and federal scrutiny. Federal prosecutors, not state authorities, decide whether to pursue a case in federal court, usually when it involves interstate commerce or a prohibited…
Read MoreWhat Are the Defenses for Marijuana Charges in Florida?
Florida drug attorneys recognize that marijuana cases have become more complicated since hemp was legalized in the state. Since hemp and marijuana look and smell the same, the traditional odor argument no longer automatically justifies a vehicle search. Marijuana cases are handled differently across Florida, with judges in Miami-Dade and Pinellas County sometimes reaching opposite…
Read MoreWhat Are the Penalties for Drug Possession in Florida?
Florida drug possession attorneys see daily how aggressively the state prosecutes drug offenses. Last year alone, prosecutors filed over 100,000 possession charges, leading to felony convictions for people caught with substances as commonplace as prescription medications without valid prescriptions. In some counties, a single marijuana joint can still bring criminal charges despite changing attitudes statewide.…
Read MoreHow Do License Suspensions Work After a DUI in Florida?
If you have been arrested for DUI, it’s important to contact a Florida DUI lawyer right away. A DUI arrest starts a 10-day period for you to challenge the automatic administrative suspension of your driver’s license. When the officer took your license at the traffic stop, an automatic administrative suspension went into effect before you…
Read MoreCan a Drug Charge Be Dropped in Florida?
In Florida, common drug charges include possession, possession with intent to sell, trafficking, manufacturing, and prescription fraud. Possession is the most frequent charge and can involve small amounts of illegal substances. More serious offenses like trafficking carry mandatory prison sentences, especially when large quantities of drugs are involved. Sometimes, a drug charge can be dropped…
Read MoreCan You Expunge Your Criminal Record in Florida?
You can expunge a criminal record in Florida only if you meet specific legal requirements. Florida law allows expungement for certain arrests or charges that did not result in a conviction. If you were found not guilty, your charges were dismissed, or the court withheld adjudication, and you meet other conditions, you may be eligible…
Read MoreHow Are Juvenile Crimes Handled in Florida?
In Florida, juvenile crimes are handled through a separate legal system focused more on rehabilitation than punishment. When a minor is accused of a crime, the case is typically handled in juvenile court, which follows different procedures from adult court. The goal is to correct behavior, provide support, and prevent future offenses. However, severe or…
Read MoreHow Do I Establish Paternity in Florida?
In Florida, there are several ways to establish paternity when the parents are not married. One of the simplest is signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, which both parents can complete at the hospital or later through the Florida Department of Health. Paternity can also be established through a court order, often involving genetic testing…
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