Category Archives: Criminal Defense Tips
Illegal Search & Seizure: Know Your Rights
Law enforcement officers have an intimidating presence and, if you are unaware of your rights, you might inadvertently consent to allow them to conduct a search or seizure that violates your privacy. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of what they can and cannot do to ensure your rights are not trampled upon…. Read More »
What You Need to Know About Sex Offender Registration
Each state has its own sex offender registry—a database of information about convicted sex offenders made available to the public at large. Under Florida law, which has some of the strictest registration laws in the nation, sexual predators and sexual offenders are mandated to register as sex offenders. This includes those convicted of: Kidnapping… Read More »
How Do I Build a Legal Defense Against Statutory Rape Charges?
Statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse or relations involving a person who is below the age of consent. The age of consent varies from state to state. Some states set the age of consent at 16 years old, while others set it at 17 or 18 years old. When a person is charged… Read More »
Should I Appeal My Case?
Losing in court doesn’t have to be the end of your case. An appeal, which is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision, can result in an overturned conviction after a guilty verdict. If you were recently convicted of a crime, should you appeal your case? Appeals Process As… Read More »
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Accused of Date Rape?
Date rape is a problem all across the country, especially on college campuses. No person should be forced to engage in unwanted sexual relations against their will. However, rape laws can be abused and are sometimes used for revenge. Sometimes, allegations of rape can be made by an angry party who does not want… Read More »
Can I Be Charged for Self-Defense?
We all have the right to defend ourselves, however, there are limits to what we can do in self-defense. The amount of physical force required to defend one’s self varies depending on the circumstances of the conflict. Self-defense laws are intended to protect the people who didn’t initiate the conflict. Self-defense does not apply… Read More »
Three Steps to Take If You Have Been Accused of Drug Possession
Being arrested for possession of a controlled substance is a scary and sometimes overwhelming experience. If you’ve never had a run-in with the law before, you may find yourself stressed or confused at what to do next, even more so if you know or don’t think you did anything wrong. When you are facing… Read More »
How Does a Public Defender Differ from Private Counsel?
In our criminal justice system, every person charged with a crime has the right to an attorney. This means that if a person cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent him or her. The attorneys that are appointed on cases are commonly referred to as public defenders. People always ask the… Read More »
What Are My Rights After an Arrest in Palm Beach County?
You’ve heard this a million times on TV, to the point where you’ve memorized every word. But now that you’re being handcuffed, placed in the back of a police car and are hearing them directly from a law enforcement officer, these same words could seem like a blur, devoid of clarity. Known collectively as… Read More »
Traveling Tips: Prescription Drugs and Other Controlled Substances
If you plan on traveling with prescription medication, here is a tip that you should follow to avoid your dream trip turning into a nightmare. To be clear, it is not illegal to travel with your prescription medication. However, you can get into hot water if you take your medication out of the prescription… Read More »