Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.
In a stalking injunction case in Lake County, Florida, my fingerprints were taken in court without my public defender present, which I believe was not legal. The judge later ordered these fingerprints to be destroyed. The plaintiff, who has been harassing us to move, provided false information,... View More

answered on Mar 2, 2025
Since the prints were destroyed, you suffered no injuries
Public Defenders work hard for their money, are often overwhelmed, and rarely deserve the negative treatment they receive. Do you have evidence this was deliberately done, as opposed to a mistake?
People often make good faith... View More
I was convicted of vehicular homicide, accepted a plea which included 4 years of prison time and a 6 year license revocation beginning after my release. I should be eligible for a hardship license, but the DMV is advising that my suspension is not in effect. I have the disposition sent to the DMV... View More

answered on Jan 9, 2025
good questions
First, go to the website for the clerk of court in the county in which your conviction took place
Look for the Final Judgment and Sentence, and look for the Public Record documents regarding the DL suspension
I absolutely agree the suspension should start at... View More
Before the arrest officer's still arrested me on suspension which was vacated just to do a illegal search

answered on Jan 8, 2025
if the officer relied in good faith on information provided to him by dispatch, the stop is probably okay, if the DMV information had not caught up, but, if you now have a valid license, the case will likely be dismissed by the State or something similar. The second issue you raise concerning the... View More
My friend is facing 141 felony counts of scheme to defraud for stealing around $28,000 from work, grand theft, and use of a 2-way communication device in Florida. He has no prior record but was charged with possession of cannabis and attempted escape afterward. He is represented by a public... View More

answered on Mar 19, 2025
what do you think would be an appropriate disposition? Perhaps a paid vacation, a cruise?
Perhaps he should get a fine citizens award
I am facing a possession charge and have a trial scheduled for next month. My public defender told me I could leave the courtroom, which led to a warrant for failure to appear, even though I was present. This was resolved with the judge, who lifted the warrant after we explained the... View More

answered on Mar 17, 2025
I find it ridiculous to believe what you write and know for a fact the public does not care about your case
Hire a private lawyer if you so despise the lawyer you were provided by the taxpayers but stop whining about the lawyer provided to you.
I am in a consensual relationship with my 17-year-old partner, and both our parents are aware and okay with it. We currently live together. If I get her pregnant now when she's 17 and I'm 21, and she turns 18 by the due date, would I face any legal consequences for signing the birth... View More
I live in Florida and am considering custody arrangements with my son's father. He has a criminal background, including convictions for firearm possession, grand theft auto, and threatening police officers. Additionally, he is currently involved in a situation where he's threatening his... View More

answered on Mar 16, 2025
seems to me they would be interested in why you would agree to a situation like this with this man's record?
Sounds like you are the one who should not have custody and perhaps the child would be better off without either of you in his or her life.
If I get pregnant at 17 and have the baby at 18, can my 21-year-old boyfriend face legal consequences? He will be 22 when the baby is born. We have parental consent for our relationship and live in Florida. I am concerned about potential legal issues due to the age gap of over 4 years at the time... View More
I have been charged with a 3rd-degree felony for grand theft in Hillsborough County, and my attorney is working on getting me into a pre-trial diversion program after my arraignment on March 27th. Due to losing my job and apartment because of the case, I would like to transfer the program to Fort... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
yes you can transfer
why won't the attorney you hired answer this for you?
I have an issue regarding a bond between two counties in Florida. An inmate was arrested in Hillsborough County (County B) on a warrant from Polk County (County A) and has been transported to County A. I paid her bond in County B, but County A has rejected the bond, preventing her from proceeding... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
Contact the Florida Bar and have them move the lawyer's rear end
I am involved in a case in Florida where the judge sentenced a defendant to life as a Habitual Violent Felony Offender, but failed to mention the specific offense for which he was being sentenced. I am looking for new and old case laws in Florida that discuss the necessity of pronouncing the... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
I agree with the previous answer and you should look it up on this site via the research button
If you look at the final judgment and sentence, the charge should be clearly reflected in that document
I was charged with felony grand theft of cash in 2018, and adjudication was withheld. I haven't undergone any expungement or probation changes since the charge. I'm trying to understand if I'm eligible to purchase a firearm given this legal background. I heard it might be possible... View More

answered on Mar 12, 2025
you should be okay but you should consider getting the file sealed
Why are my drug charges not showing on the Clerk of Courts website in Madison County, Florida, even though my other charges, such as speeding and driving with a suspended license, are?

answered on Mar 12, 2025
If you know enough to search the clerks website, you should call them and ask them
this is not a question for a criminal defense lawyer
In Florida, if I'm stopped by a police officer and they request that I roll my car window all the way down, am I legally required to do so, even if communication can happen clearly without it and there's no safety reason given?

answered on Mar 12, 2025
yes, you are required to roll your window down, cooperate, and provide identification
stop watching television to get your legal information
I was approached by police at a motel I rented in Lake Wales, FL, regarding a reported disturbance involving a man and woman fighting. The call was made at 5:30 PM, and the police affidavit states they responded at 5:45 PM. However, they approached me at 6:35 PM and asked to search my person and... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
never consent to a search if you have drugs on you
I do not think it was an illegal search, because you consented
I had just rented a room when police officers responded to a disturbance call, stating it was at 17:45, though body cam footage shows they arrived at 18:35. The officers immediately wanted to search for drugs, mentioning we were across from a known drug motel. Several officers were present, and... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
as long as you consented, I see no issues
I also do not see where you were arrested.
I was involved in a rear-end collision, where the other driver hit me from behind. Although a police report was filed and both insurance companies were notified, there were no witnesses. Now, days after the accident, the other driver is claiming that I brake checked them. Given these circumstances,... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
highly unlikely because the person who rear ended you violated a traffic law in following too closely, so, you are presumed to be in the right
I have a misdemeanor charge for first-offense domestic violence in Florida. As a condition for dismissal, I was required to complete 9 months of treatment classes, which I cannot afford ($50 per class), and I've only attended two sessions. I'm also facing eviction, which is prompting me... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
you should have your public defender bring the matter back before the Court in hopes the Judge will unsuccessfully terminate supervision
I received a citation for petty theft after a store employee accused me of taking dog treats. There is no video or photographic evidence, and I confessed under pressure from a police officer at my home. I have a pretrial status conference in two weeks. I am 74 years old, and all charges from a... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
you have already asked this question several times
My answer remains the same
Hire an attorney
I am a 74-year-old female who received a citation for petty theft after allegedly taking four dog treats from a store. The store staff did not witness the act, and there is no video surveillance. However, I did admit to a police officer that I took the treats for my sick dog to avoid going to the... View More

answered on Mar 6, 2025
I am truly sorry this is happening to you, I love animals more then people
which county is this in please?
knowing the County allows me to give you an accurate answer, but, you are in n way looking at any jail time and as long as the store got the merchandise back, this is an... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.