The "Safety Valve" in Federal Sentencing If you or a loved one are a defendant facing drug charges in Florida that carry harsh mandatory minimum sentences, you may be feeling scared, overwhelmed, and confused about what comes next. If your case gets to a sentencing hearing, will the judge really have to lock you up for years or decades, [...]
The Right to an Impartial Judge in Florida Criminal Cases If you are facing criminal charges in Florida, one of your most fundamental rights is to have your case heard by an impartial judge. Both the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct guarantee criminal defendants a fair trial before an unbiased judge. This article will examine [...]
The Most Common Domestic Violence Charges in Miami If you've been arrested for domestic violence in Miami, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Domestic violence allegations should always be taken seriously, as a conviction can result in heavy fines, probation, and even jail time. As a Miami domestic violence defense lawyer, I've handled hundreds of these [...]
Wrongfully Accused: The Dangers of Facial Recognition Technology Facial recognition technology is a powerful tool that can help law enforcement identify suspects. However, as highlighted in the recent New York Times article "Eight Months Pregnant and Arrested After False Facial Recognition Match," it also poses serious risks of misidentification and wrongful arrest if not used responsibly. The Story of [...]
Restitution in Federal Criminal Cases What is Restitution in Federal Criminal Cases? In federal criminal cases, restitution is Court-ordered compensation paid by a defendant to their victim for any losses or damages from the crime. The purpose is to make the victim “whole” again by restoring them financially to where they were before the crime occurred. Why [...]
Overturning a Wrongful Conviction: The Injustice Against Emmanuel Jean The exoneration of Emmanuel Jean this April after 16 unjust years in prison stands as one of the most egregious examples of wrongful conviction I've seen in my career. Jean's case exposes the devastating consequences when overzealous detectives cut corners and coerce witnesses to build a false case. It also [...]
Wrongful Conviction of Morton Johnson Imagine being accused of a crime you didn't commit. Now, imagine spending more than half your life in prison for that crime. This is the reality for Morton Johnson, a man who has been incarcerated for over two decades for a crime new DNA evidence shows he didn't commit. This article, written by the Innocence [...]
Double Jeopardy: What Every Miami Criminal Defendant Needs to Know Double jeopardy is a critical legal principle that every Miami criminal defendant should understand. This constitutional protection can bar further prosecution and prevent harsher punishment in certain circumstances. As your criminal defense attorney in Miami, I want to provide you with a comprehensive overview of double jeopardy and how [...]
When U.S. Criminal Laws Apply Overseas As a criminal defense attorney in Miami, I often come across cases involving activities that took place outside of the United States. While criminal law is usually limited to the jurisdiction in which the alleged crime occurred, there are many circumstances in which crimes committed in other countries can be prosecuted in the [...]
Can a Police Officer Arrest You Outside Their Jurisdiction in Florida? You're driving down the highway when you see those familiar flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. You pull over, expecting to get a speeding ticket from the local police department. But when the officer approaches your window, you notice his uniform says he's from a [...]
