On the broad spectrum of criminal offenses, violent charges are among the most severe. Violent criminal offenses carry the most social stigma and often the harshest penalties of any criminal allegations. Even if the state offers a plea deal involving a lesser offense,...
Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal Defense
Can someone face drug charges over something hidden in a car?
Florida has relatively strict drug statutes. As a point of entry for some substances arriving by boat, land and air, there is a lot of drug traffic across the state. Many police officers always have an eye out for warning signs of possible drug activity. Factors...
What is the difference between theft, burglary, robbery, and armed robbery in Florida?
Florida law includes separate definitions for different crimes that involve stealing. In order to understand the possible punishments someone could face if convicted of one of these crimes, it is first necessary to differentiate between how the law defines theft and...
What a search warrant must contain to be valid
Before they can search your home, office, vehicle or other private property for evidence of a crime, local police and federal agents generally (with certain exceptions) must get a search warrant first. Otherwise, the search could violate your Constitutional right...
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...
All About Ponzi Schemes
A Ponzi scheme is a business crime that can happen anywhere, including in Tampa, Florida. It is a scam in which money is taken from the newest investors in a company, giving it back to the oldest investors in a company. This is a fraudulent form of activity that will...
The penalties and sentences for felony theft in Florida
Some types of petty theft are dealt with by issuing fines. However, more serious organized theft crimes or the theft of property of a high value will likely lead to serious consequences and potential jail time.If you have been accused of engaging in theft of...
Claiming testing inaccuracies are a great DUI defense
Being accused of a DUI can lead to criminal charges, the inability to use your vehicle and even jail time. That said, so many people are accused of driving under the influence when they were not, in fact, over the limit.If you believe that how your breath test was...
Do you understand what Florida considers assault or battery?
If you recently got into a verbal or physical altercation with another person, you might wind up surprised to find out they want to press charges. Perhaps it was simply an aggressive social altercation in which nothing really occurred. It's also possible that you both...