Civil Penalties for Shoplifting in Florida In addition to criminal charges, people charged with shoplifting in Florida face the threat of civil penalties sought by retailers to recoup the costs of theft and deter future offenses. Understanding these additional civil consequences is critical when faced with a shoplifting accusation in Florida. Retaining legal counsel experienced in defending against retailers' civil [...]
Sentencing in Florida: The Florida Criminal Punishment Code If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime in Florida, one of the first things you probably want to know is - what kind of sentence am I facing if convicted? Florida's sentencing system can be complex, but as an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney, I'm here [...]
False Allegations of Domestic Violence Nothing strikes at the heart more than false allegations of domestic violence. If someone has outright fabricated claims against you, it can ruin your reputation, freedom, and future. Defending yourself against false criminal domestic violence charges or domestic violence injunction petitions is critical. As an experienced criminal defense attorney in Miami, I have successfully [...]
The Immigration Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction in Miami If you are a non-citizen facing domestic violence charges in Miami, it is absolutely critical that you understand how a conviction could impact your immigration status. Under federal immigration law, certain domestic violence convictions are grounds for removal (deportation) from the United States. Even if you have legal status (a [...]
The First Amendment and Criminal Law: Understanding Your Constitutional Rights The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects some of our most fundamental freedoms - freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. However, these rights are not absolute, and sometimes speech or conduct that would otherwise be protected can still be subject to criminal prosecution. As a criminal [...]
America's Jails Face Crisis from Chronic Understaffing and Mismanagement Prisons Across the Nation Rife with Danger Charles P. Pierce's recent article in Esquire, "Waupun's Crisis Goes All the Way Down to Our County Jails," highlights the dysfunctional state of prisons across America today. This is an alarming trend requiring urgent action. Incarceration was once a bipartisan issue, with agreement on [...]
Felonies vs. Misdemeanors: Understanding the Key Differences in Florida Criminal Law If you've been charged with a crime in Florida, one of the first things you'll want to know is whether it's a felony or a misdemeanor. The distinction between the two types of crimes is important, as it can have significant implications when it comes to sentencing and [...]
Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis, is once again improperly interfering in local affairs by removing a duly elected prosecutor from office. As reported in depth by the Brennan Center for Justice's recent analysis, DeSantis suspended Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell last week, baselessly alleging she has been “derelict” and “incompetent” in her elected role ("DeSantis’s Suspension of Orlando-Area Prosecutor Is Counterproductive [...]
How You Can Be Wrongly Detained for Shoplifting Have you ever been stopped in a store and accused of shoplifting when you were completely innocent? This humiliating and infuriating experience happens more often than you may realize. While loss prevention officers have an important job to do in preventing theft, they must follow strict legal guidelines before detaining a customer. [...]
Your Right to Due Process in Criminal Cases If you've been arrested or charged with a crime in Florida, one of your most important constitutional rights is due process. Due process is your right to fair treatment throughout the criminal justice process. Understanding due process and how it protects you at each stage of a criminal case is critical [...]
