Criminal Law

Your sentencing hearing just ended. The judge said “probation,” but your cellmate keeps talking about “parole.” Your attorney mentioned “community control,” and now you’re not sure what any of it means. Or maybe you’re already under supervision, and someone told you probation and parole are basically the same thing. Probation and parole both involve court-ordered…

Your probation officer just called and wants to see you immediately. Or maybe you missed a drug test, picked up a new charge, or forgot to report an address change. Perhaps you’re sitting in jail right now on a probation violation warrant with no bond, wondering how long they can hold you and whether you’re…

You’ve been on Florida’s sex offender registry for years. Every address change requires notification. Every job application ends when the background check runs. Landlords hang up when they see your name on the public database. You served your sentence, completed probation, and stayed out of trouble, but the registry follows you everywhere.  The question keeps…

A detective just called and wants to “ask you a few questions.” Or maybe you’ve already been arrested, booked, and released on bond with a court date you don’t understand. Perhaps someone you care about is sitting in Pinellas County Jail facing charges you never thought possible. Sex crime accusations in Florida move fast, carry…

Yes, a Florida juvenile record may be expunged if the offense meets the eligibility requirements, the juvenile has completed any required diversion program or sentence, and there are no disqualifying convictions. Florida law allows juveniles who were arrested, adjudicated delinquent, or participated in diversion programs to petition the court to seal or expunge their records…

Robbery and burglary are two different crimes. A robbery involves taking property directly from another person through force, violence, assault, or threat. A burglary occurs when an individual enters or remains in a structure, dwelling, or conveyance without permission and with the intent to commit a crime inside, regardless of whether anything is stolen. Lopez…

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…

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…

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.…

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…