In Florida, protective orders are typically issued in criminal cases involving domestic violence, assault, battery, and other violent crimes where the courts are concerned for the safety of the victim. These court orders, commonly referred to as “restraining orders,” “injunctions,” or “no contact orders,” may require the respondent to attend a hearing. If you or…
Florida is one of 28 states that have habitual offender laws, also known as three-strikes laws. These laws are implemented as part of the United States Justice Department’s Anti-Violence Strategy and radically increase the severity of punishment for anyone convicted of multiple serious crimes. If you are facing a significant criminal charge in Florida, you…
Although any allegation can damage your reputation, an accusation of domestic abuse can lead to a whirlwind of consequences. If you are facing charges for domestic violence in Florida, you could have a criminal trial coming up in your future. While these types of cases seldom make it to trial, it is helpful to know…
Florida judges are often reluctant to place children under the responsibility of an adult who is prone to abusive behavior. This is because the most significant risk factor for passing family violence from one generation to another is witnessing violence between parents, including severe accusations such as aggravated child abuse. As a result, if you…
What may start as a simple argument between relatives or spouses can escalate into an intense or dangerous situation in the blink of an eye. When voices rise and tensions flare, violence can occur, and before you know it, someone has thrown a punch, the police are at your door, and someone is being put…
Domestic violence does not care how old you are, what your sexual preference is, what color you are, or what gender you identify as. Because anyone is vulnerable to becoming a victim of domestic violence, sometimes children under the age of 18 may seek to file a restraining order against their abuser. If you or…
Every person in the United States is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty, meaning you cannot be convicted of a crime unless you have been proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. Because of this, before jury members in Florida can even begin deliberations, they must study the Florida Supreme Court Standard Jury Instructions, which…
After making its first courtroom debut in the 1980s, DNA evidence quickly became a vital component in thousands of cases across the country. Generally considered extremely reliable by attorneys and juries alike, DNA evidence is also susceptible to crucial faults that could make or break a case. If you are suspected of committing a criminal…
Being investigated for a crime is scary, especially if you are sure you are not guilty of the charges. Unfortunately, false allegations occur in Florida more often than many realize. No matter the crime of which you’re accused of committing, your first step should be to secure legal representation from an experienced Florida criminal defense…
Disorderly conduct, also known as “breach of peace” or “disturbing the peace,” is a sometimes vague and subjective offense, often left up to interpretation. Laws banning disorderly conduct are typically designed to allow the police to arrest people whose behavior offends or disrupts those enjoying a public space. If you or someone you know has…
