Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How Florida Law Protects Victims of Human Trafficking
In recent years, there has been increasing attention in Florida to the problem of human trafficking. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking “involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” Each year, millions of people around the world are victims… Read More »
What Happens If I’m Accused of Committing Another Crime While on Pretrial Release?
When a person charged with a crime is granted pretrial release, they are usually subject to a number of terms and conditions. For example, the defendant must agree to make all required court appearances. They may also have to submit to electronic monitoring to ensure they do not leave the state. And of course,… Read More »
Is “Duress” a Valid Criminal Defense in Florida?
There are a number of affirmative defenses that a person accused of a crime in Florida may argue to a jury. One of the best-known examples is self-defense. Another example is “duress.” Duress–also called “necessity”–is not a justification for committing a crime, mind you, but it can excuse a defendant from criminal liability The… Read More »
What Is Considered “Prowling” Under Florida Law?
The police cannot, generally speaking, arrest you for simply “looking suspicious.” That said, there are fairly broad statutes in Florida governing misdemeanor offenses like “prowling” or “loitering,” which can be used to justify an arrest even absent more concrete evidence of some other criminal activity. Florida’s prowling statute (Section 856.021) states: It is unlawful… Read More »
How Threatening to Ruin Someone’s Career Can Lead to Felony Charges in Florida
Some people think that a white collar criminal charge does not carry the same weight as an accusation involving a violent offense. But that is not how criminal law works in Florida. Indeed, many non-violent offenses carry the potential for long prison sentences. For example, extortion is a felony of the second degree in… Read More »
The Child Hearsay Rule in Florida
As a general rule, hearsay evidence is not admissible in a Florida criminal trial. Hearsay is basically second-hand information. For example, a person is allowed to testify as to what they personally observed or witnessed. But they usually cannot testify as to what someone else told them happened. Here is a simple example. A… Read More »
Is Attempted Robbery a “Crime of Violence” in Florida?
If you have a prior criminal record in Florida, that can lead to harsher penalties if you are convicted of a subsequent offense. For example, the sentencing guidelines used by federal courts classify a defendant as a “career offender” subject to a higher base sentencing level if they are convicted of a “crime of… Read More »
Can Florida Police Arrest Me Without a Warrant on Misdemeanor DUI Charges?
In general, a police officer in Florida cannot arrest a person for a misdemeanor offense without first obtaining a warrant. There is an exception for misdemeanors committed in the presence of an officer. An officer attending the scene of a “traffic crash” may also make a warrantless arrest if, based on their investigation, they… Read More »
Understanding Florida’s New Capital Sentencing Rules
Florida is one of 27 U.S. states that continue to impose capital punishment–i.e., the death penalty–for certain crimes. Until recently, a jury in a capital case had to be unanimous in recommending a death sentence. But the Florida legislature recently amended that rule, which has led to confusion over what standard applies to pending… Read More »
Can the Police Arrest You in Your Home Without a Warrant?
In Florida, the police usually need to obtain a warrant before arresting a person in their own home. In misdemeanor cases, the police also cannot use a “hot pursuit” to justify a warrantless home entry. That is to say, the police cannot follow you into your home and arrest you for a non-violent misdemeanor… Read More »