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Florida Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Cannabis & Marijuana Law for Florida on
Q: How should my friend proceed with his case?

My friend was involved in a traffic stop after being accused of threatening someone with a gun. He says he gave the police consent to search for a gun (none was found) but not to open any bags or containers. The police found drugs in a bag while conducting the search. He is currently being charged... View More

Robert Edward Heyman
Robert Edward Heyman
answered on Nov 11, 2024

It appears that your friend gave limited consent to the police to search the interior of his car which was ignored by the police during the actual search. I would be curious to know the description of the bag in which the drugs were located. Large enough to have contained a firearm? If not, then he... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Is it legal to be charged for the same charge in two different states
Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Nov 4, 2024

Yours is a complex question suitable for law school. The starting point would be the status of the two states as sovereign entities under the US Constitution. Each State has the right to enforce its laws. The limit of a State’s power to prosecute is likely a product of both jurisdiction and due... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Someone broke into my shop, changed the locks, can I break into my own shop?

They are staying in a trailer next to my shop on my property. I just started the eviction process. They broke into my shop, switched the door and padlocked it and started filling it with their belongings. They never had any permission by me to enter my shop and they never bothered to ask for... View More

Robert Edward Heyman
Robert Edward Heyman
answered on Oct 29, 2024

Call the local police immediately. You describe behavior that constitutes Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief and Trespassing. If verified, the police should arrest them. You will then be able to re-enter your shop, and remove their property since it has nothing to do with the eviction process. I am... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can I be charged with a crime I didn't commit based on hearsay?

I currently live in Hillsborough county Florida and my soon to be ex-husband and his Friend accuse me of having a weapon (knife) . I haven't been officially charged assault w/ deadly weapon. But the only thing is my husband (person that said I committed the crime) a couple of months ago went... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 30, 2024

Hearsay is a statement made about what someone said to a testifying witness. If your husband were to tell the court that although he was blind, you told him you had a knife and that you were going to attack him with it, there is an exception to the hearsay rule because it would be something you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Could you tell what are the responsibilities when a state prosecutor is involved with a criminal case?
Robert Edward Heyman
Robert Edward Heyman
answered on Oct 29, 2024

As a former prosecutor in Pinellas County for 15 years, my function was to thoroughly investigate all criminal cases referred to the office by law enforcement and determine whether a prosecutable case existed and what was the likelihood of obtaining a conviction. The prosecutor's function is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Walmart loss prevention made me sign a paper

Walmart loss prevention made me sign a paper trespassing me not alowing me to come back for 2 years police was in the room but t I don’t think they charged me with anything

If the police didn’t give me anything was I not criminally charged and just the store saying for me to not come... View More

Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Oct 28, 2024

You will need to speak to a local attorney. A Walmart employee is authorized to request that you be trespassed from their store. If you signed it and agreed, then you cannot go back to the store because you have been warned. This does not necessarily mean that you are not being charged. Law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Florida on
Q: How to reverse a no cohabitation

If the state is saying that as long as I am on probation me and my spouse can not live together because we both caught a domestic violence case how do we go about getting that changed because we share a home and have no where else to reside

Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Oct 28, 2024

If you are on probation, I am assuming that you have entered a plea to your case and the case is closed. "No Contact" provisions can be entered as a condition of bond, as part of a domestic violence injunction, or as a condition of probation. If you agreed to no contact as part of a... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Someone working at a dollar general grabbed my throat and I shoved him away is there anything I can do?
Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 22, 2024

If someone grabbed your throat, and it was not for self-defense purposes, you are a crime victim, so you may contact the police in the jurisdiction for the store. They should then investigate to determine if the aggressor should be charged with battery. I am assuming from your description that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for Florida on
Q: My Public Defender LIED about what 'adjudicated' meant to get me to plea guilty. Is there a Statute of limitations?

REVISED. 25 yrs ago I was arrested with a serious charge. My PD was Mad because I wouldn't plea. I Firmly stated I was innocent and only plea, NOT guilty! The Judge's counsel, however, was, 'one never knows how a jury will vote, so if the outcomes bad [jail] perhaps a plea is... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 3, 2024

I'm wondering if you actually had an adjudication of guilt or instead a withhold of adjudication. Both phrases have the word "adjudication" in them, but are completely different. An adjudication of guilt equals a conviction. A withhold of adjudication (often referred to simply as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Florida on
Q: My dad is in jail for a probation/cc violation he's been in there since the end of July, he denied the vop and they set

A vop evidentiary hearing and rescheduled it twice now. How long can they hold him in jail without actually charging or convicted him of the violations. And they have charges on his score sheet that aren't his, my father hasn't been in trouble in 36 years besides a traffic ticket.... View More

Rod Caruco
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answered on Sep 28, 2024

It sounds like your issue is very fact-specific, and I would encourage you to engage with a criminal defense attorney to dig in and figure it out.

Generally, a conviction comes with a confinement sentence that is suspended (probation). Think, for a misdemeanor, one year in jail, suspended,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: There is a contractor who repaired my house, he has recorded my meeting with him on audio (phone). without my permission

Can i sue him? If that recording is shown to judge I will have to pay $10,000 to him. Now what do I do?

Erik A. Perez
Erik A. Perez
answered on Sep 30, 2024

Possibly. It is a 3rd degree felony in Florida to intentionally intercept or record a private conversation without all parties' consent. As it relates to civil law, it is debatable whether you have a cause of action. I would recommend identifying the monetary damages you have suffered as a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Criminal Law and Libel & Slander for Florida on
Q: Family member has died. Family member named one person as beneficiary. Advice appreciated.

A close family member has died. Only one person was named beneficiary of the estate. The beneficiary truly loved the family member that died and took care of that family member with good intentions for a long time. Other people in the family did nothing to help the grantor when he was very sick and... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 14, 2024

There is nothing the toxic family members can do, but if they keep it up, the person being slandered can consider getting a civil litigation attorney and filing suit against them for these behaviors, at best it may be to just ignore them if possible and hopefully they will tire, if not, then... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: If I just hired my attorney and paid them in full then week later the state drops charges do they still keep my money

The state dropped on their own noticing that it would not hold up in trial no information

Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Sep 12, 2024

These types of situations do happen, but I would point out that it is often impossible to know that the State would have dropped the case without you retaining an attorney. There may have been discussions between counsel and the State or engaging an attorney may have made the State realize that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Is a conflict attorney better than a state attorney?
Rod Caruco
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answered on Sep 6, 2024

If I understand your question correctly, I think you are asking if a regional conflict counsel is better than a public defender.

Generally, and attorney, office, or firm can have a conflict of interest representing multiple individuals in the same case. In criminal law, that means...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can you be arrested for throwing a cigarette on the ground

I was pulled over for no seat belt. I was asked to step out of the car. As I did so I threw my cigarette on the ground to be polite. I was arrested for littering. Is this legal.

Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Sep 3, 2024

I find it hard to believe that an arrest would be warranted for throwing a single cigarette to the ground. I would recommend taking a look at the arrest paperwork to see what statute or ordinance was alleged to have been violated. That is a good place to start. Look up that law and read it. Then... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: If a woman has a restraing order against a guy & she's contacting the guy can she get in trouble for violating the order
Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Aug 30, 2024

A restraining order will be governed by the wording of the order. Usually that relates to some restraint on the Respondent or the person who the order was "sought against." As the previous attorney noted. if you are unsure what the order means you should consult an attorney.

You...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: If a woman has a restraing order against a guy & she's contacting the guy can she get in trouble for violating the order
Rod Caruco
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answered on Aug 30, 2024

This can be a dangerous situation for the individual that is governed by the restraining order. Generally, a typical order will likely state the individual is to make no contact and, if contacted, the individual is not to respond. If there is a basis for a reciprocal injunction, that may be sought.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Can I go to the gun shop with my son?

We don't live together, he just wants my insight on what gun he should get

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Aug 18, 2024

There is in general no prohibition against either if you going to the gun shop, either together or separately. It is unclear what difference you suspect it might make that he is your child or that you don't reside together. One could go shopping with a complete stranger; again, it makes no... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Florida on
Q: If a prosecutor is deemed DELINQUENT, and PROHIBITED from practicing law, how can they still prosecute a case in a trial

RULE 6-10.3 MINIMUM CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION STANDARDS

REQUIRMENTS

Every member must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved continuing legal education activity every 3yrs.

DELINQUENCY

If a member fails to complete and report the minimum required... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

If a prosecutor is deemed delinquent and prohibited from practicing law, they should not be able to prosecute a case. Delinquency under Rule 6-10.3 indicates failure to meet continuing legal education requirements, leading to suspension from practicing law. A prosecutor in this situation loses the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Gov & Administrative Law for Florida on
Q: If a prosecutor is deemed DELINQUENT, PROHIBITED from practicing law, how can they still try a case in front of jury

Florida Bar RULE 6-10.3 MINIMUM CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION STANDARDS

(b) Minimum Hourly Continuing Legal Education

Every member must complete a minimum of 30 credit hrs of approved continuing legal education activity every 3yrs

RULE 6-10.5 DELINQUENCY

(a) If a member... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

If a prosecutor is delinquent and prohibited from practicing law, they are not allowed to try a case in front of a jury. According to the Florida Bar rules, failing to meet the minimum continuing legal education requirements results in delinquency. This status means the prosecutor is no longer in... View More

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