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Questions Answered by Jeffrey H. Garland
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: When a person violates their probation should they get credit for the time they did on probation before the violation

My husband was sentenced to 4yrs he did 2yrs in prison and was ordered to complete the other 2yrs on probation. He violated after completing 11 months. The day of his VOP ruling the judge sentenced him back to prison to complete the other 2yrs so we want to know aside from the prison credit is he... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Apr 28, 2023

The judge likely sentenced your husband to 4 years DOC with credit for the actual time served in prison and any unrevoked gain time. In addition, the judge likely awarded any credit for time in jail. DOC is to calculate the day for day credit he previously served. Almost always DOC revokes the... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: A search warrant was served in a house i was living in, the police lied about an arrest warrant

They had for me, calling me out of the house prior to entry, i was awakened by this and put on a pair of shorts that wrrent mine. They searched me and found drugs. I would have never put on those shorts if they hadnt lied about the arrest warrant because i wouldnt have gone outside. All charges... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Oct 28, 2022

First off, the "I put on somebody else's shorts" defense is usually not a winner. But, through your lawyer, you can file a Franks motion challenging false statements in a search warrant application. You must establish that you had standing to challenge the search warrant. As is... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: An officer gave me the choice of getting arrested. Or making a deal with a detective to do a drug deal for my freedom.

I was pulled over with paraphernalia, a small small amount of cocaine, an open container and my firearm. Wich I have a concealed for. The officer said I was facing 3 felonies and a misdemeanor. He gave me the option of letting me go free if I made a deal with a detective. The detective and I talked... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Aug 8, 2022

Yes, it sounds like a scare tactic. Yes, it sounds like a procedure to temporarily go free. Today, some cop might be wondering if you are going to call. if you don't, you just might get arrested on warrants for some or all of what they threatened at the time of the stop. You should retain an... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Florida on
Q: How do I get a restraining order removed if I haven't had contact with the other person?

No contact in nearly 20 years.

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on May 19, 2022

Retain an attorney to file a motion to dissolve the injunction. Your attorney should guide you on whether it is feasible- it often is. Notice should be given to the Petitioner if possible, and the matter should be set for a hearing.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: My brother called me from jail and I agreed to talk to convince his victum to drop charges but didn't can I be charged

I was contacted by a detective and questioned but I did nothing but talk about doing something and never did it

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Mar 2, 2022

You should consider that many jails record phone calls. Police can access and listen to these calls. Usually, the courts at first appearance impose no victim contact restrictions. This means no direct or indirect contact. The restriction applies even if the arrestee doesn’t bond out. For your... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: How much jail time can a first time offender receive if charged and convicted?

My ex just walked up into my home put his hands on me,, then proceeded to drag my daughter from her room. He was arrested and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault and battery, a first degree felony, he took off with my phone, so he was charged with petty theft and also charged... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Feb 26, 2022

Burglary of a dwelling with an assault is punishable by life imprisonment. That’s the maximum potential sentence. This burglary charge would “drive” the sentencing. Also, this burglary is a violent crime of special concern. As the victim you should consult with the prosecutor and/or victim... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: I got served papers saying I was being charged with petit theft but I never did anything. Is there any thing I can do?
Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 29, 2022

Service of papers may mean that you are charged with a crime. The anything you can do is to read those papers for details. You might be able to go online at the clerk’s office to get more details. All that should tell you the what, when and how of this charge. So informed you could go to court... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: I have a case that includes 6 counts of paraphernalia possession. The prosecution is going to offer 5 of the counts be

Dismissed for either 45 days or 12 months of probation. If I reject the offer and say I want to go to trial, is it likely the prosecution may offer a better plea agreement? I'm not a resident of Florida and only here for a short time caring for my sister, but I want to get home to Wisconsin to... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 28, 2022

You need a lawyer and fast. Not the internet question answering kind. First, if all 5 paraphernalia charges are at the same time and place it should be just 1 charge. That’s because paraphernalia is both a singular and plural noun. The other matter is completely different and a felony. Please do... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: If a defendant has reason to believe that a substance in a trafficking methamphetamine case doesn't weigh what that

State is saying. How can a defendant compelled the court to actually prove the amount is correct? Can a defendant's lawyer bring measuring tool in during trial to weigh the substance out and prove the actual weight

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 25, 2022

Your lawyer would typically obtain a laboratory report long before trial. The report should identify the controlled substance and the weight. Separate containers with controlled substances should be weighed separately. One legal issue is whether amounts located in separate places can be aggregated.... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Can the PDs office represent me on a case and also represent my child's father on a separate case where I'm the victim

This is in Florida

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 16, 2022

It is likely a conflict of interest for the same PD Office to represent you on one felony charge and to attack your credibility on another felony charge where you are the complaining victim. You could advise the PD assigned to your case about this situation. That PD should recognize the conflict... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: My husband is being charged with attempt murder 2nd degree. It was a form of self defense. Will he have to serve time?

He was assaulted outside a bar . A guy punched him in the face and continued to strike him. My husband had a concealed license, pulled his gun fired a warning shot and then shot the guy who refused to back down . My husband fleed the scene however before police arrived

The state is... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 9, 2022

Yours is an extraordinarily complex question which is fact sensitive. First off, if your husband doesn’t like his current lawyer’s assessment, he can hire a new lawyer to see how the new lawyer sees it. Second, you say this happened outside a bar and involved a concealed weapons permit. I think... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Curious if I'm looking at actually going to jail.

I was arrested for assault on a police officer and resisting without violence. I'm a first time offender and I'm very nervous at what my punishment will be.

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 3, 2022

This is the time to go to court, not to jail. The process will indicate whether you will agree to go to jail, to get a dismissal, to get probation, or to go to trial. I urge you to retain an experienced lawyer to evaluate your situation. The lawyer, once fully informed, would be in a real position... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes for Florida on
Q: In Florida if you are charged with a felony battery but its withheld adjutifacation are you still a felon?
Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Oct 20, 2021

If a person please guilty or no contest to felony battery, and if adjudication is witheld, then the person is not a "convicted felon" for the purpose of loss of civil rights and right to bear firearms in Florida. This assumes that the person has not been adjudicated guilty of any other... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: I was pull pulled over for speeding and after taking my license insurance and registration and all that came back clear

He then asked could he search my vehicle I told him no I well first I asked him what his probable cause was he said because he wanted to I told him no he brought the dog out and they alerted on my vehicle and he found a set of digital skills by the way this was not a patrol cop this was a narcotics... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Oct 18, 2021

The officer would have had grounds to pull you over if you committed a driving infraction. You complain that the Officer conducted a drug dog walk around even though you refused to consent to a search. As a result the dog alerted. The car was searched and alledged drug paraphernalia found. An... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: If evidence in a criminal case was obtained illegally but was revealed during the duration of the case; can newly

But wasn't revealed until after case had ended; can new evidence claim be filed if it would have changed outcome of case?

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Jan 10, 2021

The problem may involve a Brady issue. Prosecutors are required to disclose evidence favorable to the defense. If your lawyer should have been able to figure it out, then the fault would lay with the defense lawyer. If the defense lawyer could not have figured it out through the exercise of due... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Hello i was arrested for agg assault with a firearm after i was attacked i had my concealed weapons permit and defended

Police took the attackers side and not my side of what happened

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Dec 31, 2020

This is where you need to get an experienced criminal defense lawyer to address the facts of your situation one by one. Remember that police are not prosecutors or judges. Police can easily make a wrong decision in the heat of the moment. Your lawyer should position your evidence and witnesses in... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Last October my son was arrested for battery and still going to court. The person who accused him has not been to court

And no longer lives in state. He was offered 90 days. Can he somehow get this thrown out. He was arrested on 11/8/20 on new unrelated charges and was told the battery charge has to be taken care before he can have a bond on new charges

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Dec 5, 2020

Your son’s problem is the new arrest while out on bond. That’s why he can’t bond out. The new arrest reveals nothing about the first arrest. Either the witness who moved out of state shows up for trial or not. Depending on Covid it might be quite some time before a trial is started. Whether... Read more »

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4 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Do I need a lawyer with me if the police want to question me about a crime
Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Oct 15, 2020

Unless you are absolutely sure they are not there to investigate YOU as the perpetrator, then YES, YOU NEED A LAWYER. The lawyer can help you understand how police conduct investigations, the terminology they may use, and how various answers might be interpreted.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: in sentencing where time is run concurrent is credit also run concurrent

multiple F3 drug charges with felony vop

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Oct 4, 2020

Credit for time served can differ from charge to charge. If it’s different, then running it concurrently does not change the difference. The differences can be more pronounced where the charges are unrelated or originate in different countries. A comprehensive plea agreement can sometimes resolve... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Hello. I have been charged with aggravated battery with firearm with great bodily harm in Florida.

Hello. I have been charged with aggravated battery with firearm with great bodily harm in Florida. I've posted a bail after a was arrested. This is what happened: there was a guy who was stalking me and my girlfriend. When he approached us I've pulled my glock and fired one round into... Read more »

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Oct 3, 2020

You could hire a lawyer to explore your options. The law may have changed since you left the country. The lawyer needs to figure out if yours is a stand your ground case, or not. The lawyer needs to consider whether the old or new laws apply to your situation. Obviously, it’s a serious matter.... Read more »

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