Our readers may have heard that in Florida if a person sold or gave drugs to another person who later overdosed on those drugs and died, the first person can be charged with 1st-degree murder. This differs from most other forms of first-degree murder, which require a...
Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Year: 2021
Man serving life sentence for murder files motion for new trial
A man serving a life sentence for the 1997 Tampa murder of a nine-year-old girl may be looking at a new trial. His co-defendant in the same matter is likely on the same path to filing a similar motion. New evidence challenges conviction Imprisoned for over 20 years,...
SCOTUS: “Community caretaking” is no excuse for warrantless home searches
On May 17, 2021, the United States Supreme Court ruled that engaging in non-investigative "community caretaking" does not excuse police from getting a warrant before entering a home and seizing property. The Court's unanimous decision in Caniglia v. Strom could have...
Healthcare fraud: Kickbacks and anti-kickback statutes
Healthcare fraud is a serious federal offense that can carry felony charges and jail time. Taking kickbacks is an area of fraud that can have serious consequences and both federal and state charges. It is also an offense that carries penalties for both the provider of...
New marijuana laws help residents get help
On February 19th, 2021, the Hillsborough County Commission voted unanimously to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession. The new ordinance also creates a pathway for individuals to get help through treatment and educational programs. What the new law does ...
Foreign account ownership and the IRS
Everyone is expected to pay their taxes and Internal Revenue Services does not take it kindly when there is no remittance of taxes. The obligation to pay taxes is mandatory whether your income was generated in the country or abroad. Through the Report of Foreign Bank...
How drug trafficking can lead to murder charges
Most people know the penalties for a conviction of selling illicit drugs are no slap on the wrist. Depending on the degree of the charges, maximum prison sentences can range from 5 to 30 years. But these penalties pale in comparison to the penalties for a murder...
Caught with drugs: what does it mean for your future?
Florida has some of the harshest penalties when it comes to drug crimes. Not only are you possibly looking at significant monetary fines and extensive jail and prison time. But the situation can often be extremely overwhelming and stressful. Leaving your whole world...
Will Florida’s marijuana laws change in 2021?
Many states have legalized the use of marijuana. But some states, like Florida, have laws legalizing only the restricted use of marijuana. Florida's residents will want to stay on top of the laws, and be aware of any potential changes. Florida's laws governing...
Whistleblower claims: what are they and who can file?
Even though many people may have heard the term whistleblower at one point or another, very few actually know what a whistleblower is or what protections they are entitled to. That is why, to help you understand what it means to be a whistleblower in Florida, we have...