The 6th Amendment Right to Counsel: An Essential Protection for All Defendants If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime, one of your most fundamental rights is the 6th Amendment right to legal representation. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side through every step of the process can make all the difference in [...]
5 Things You Should NEVER Do When Interacting With a Cop Being pulled over or approached by a police officer in Miami can be a nerve-wracking experience. Many immediately think of the consequences, even if we believe we've done nothing wrong. Understanding your rights and knowing what not to do can significantly reduce the chances of an arrest or any [...]
What To Do If You Think You Are Under Criminal Investigation and a Detective Contacts You Discovering you may be under criminal investigation can be an alarming and stressful experience. Many people are unsure how to respond when detectives reach out requesting information or an interview. While you always have the right to remain silent, cooperating with law enforcement strategically [...]
Unequal Justice: Wells Fargo and the Double Standard of Corporate Crime As a criminal defense attorney, I'm deeply troubled by the disparity between the sentences given to ordinary citizens accused of theft crimes and the meager punishments for executives overseeing massive corporate frauds. The recent Wells Fargo fake accounts scandal sentencing of executive Carrie Tolstedt is a case in point. [...]
Reimagining Pretrial Justice in Miami - Why Our City Should Lead on Bail Reform America's cash bail system is broken, unjustly criminalizing poverty and destroying lives. As a criminal defense lawyer in Miami for many years, I've witnessed this tragedy firsthand. Now, our chance to lead bold local reforms is being thwarted by politics. Miami-Dade’s leaders developed plans to [...]
The Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases: A Guide for Defendants in Florida If you have been charged with a crime in Florida, one of the most important concepts you need to understand is the burden of proof. The burden of proof refers to the obligation of the prosecution to prove every element of the alleged crime beyond a [...]
Understanding the Key Differences Between Criminal Law and Civil Law For most people without legal training, the distinction between criminal law and civil law is not always clear. Both involve violations of rules and laws, penalties and consequences, and proceedings in a court of law. However, there are some major differences that set criminal and civil law into two [...]
Disclosure of Confidential Informants in Florida Confidential informants are widely used in criminal investigations in Florida, especially drug cases. Often, the prosecution wants to keep these informants anonymous to protect their safety and ensure continued cooperation. However, sometimes, a defendant's right to due process necessitates disclosing an informant's identity. Under Florida law, determining when disclosure is required involves a delicate [...]
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 [...]
