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Florida Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Florida on
Q: can a fictional forum post be used in court or be used to track down the writer or said post?

a post was made of a fictional dream. the forum is in netherlands. poster resides in florida where the post is now part of a warrant for a case involving money laundering and prostitution. can the poster be tracked and the forum post used against him even though it clearly states it was a dream?... Read more »

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jun 5, 2023

If the post which supposedly described a dream someone had, together with other information forming the basis for the warrant, may constitute probable cause justifying an arrest warrant. For example, say you had a dream in which you murdered someone and that someone turned up dead by homicide.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Can I sue someone for making threats about hurting me? I have proof with text screenshots. How much money can I sue for?

My neighbor in my building , who is known to cause trouble. Started making threats and saying that his going to Break my Jaw etc because I asked him to pay my friend his money back. Can I sue him ?

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jun 2, 2023

If I were in your shoes, I'd first be focused on preventing him from "breaking your jaw, etc.", not money - that is, if you do believe it is a REALISTIC threat and not just an idle (not-really-mean-it) threat. I would go to the domestic violence court and ask if the threats, which... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Hi, so I just turned 19 and have been gifted a handgun, it's a ghost gun (big gray area there), can I legally carry it?

When I say carry it I mean concealed and put away in my car. If not what exactly would be wrong with it? Certain class misdemeanor or a felony?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on May 30, 2023

Yes, you can have it in your vehicle "if the firearm ... is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use." See Florida Statute 790.25 (5) and, generally, see:... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Complaint of Conspiracy to commit Grand Larceny, subject of Larceny is real estate in NY, one suspect is in FL,

the other is in Georgia, in what jurisdiction should the complaint be filed?

Jonathan Blecher
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answered on May 23, 2023

The decision where the criminal complaint is filed is made by the respective prosecutors based on the facts of the case and the laws of each jurisdiction. Generally, cases are filed where the crime (s) occurred or where the subject of the property crime exists. It's also possible to have... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Florida on
Q: My 17 year old has a court appointed attorney and she says she can't talk to him with me present. Is this true

He was arrested for soliciting prostitution from an undercover. She is trying to get him to enter a plea deal and we haven't even went to court

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on May 12, 2023

His attorney probably wants to talk to him about the facts of the case. Anything your son tells his attorney is privileged. The attorney can't be made to disclose what her client told her. On the other hand, what your son says in your presence is not privileged, so, in theory, you could be... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Greetings! I saw this on a friend’s docket: “REPORT RE: BY BONDSMAN SET FOR…” and would like to know what it means.
Jonathan Blecher
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answered on May 10, 2023

The “ …” is needed to be certain. Bondsman may have to appear before a Judge to testify about sources of funds for collateral in serious drug cases. Sometimes they have to report to a judge about whether they are willing to continue writing the bond in cases where the defendant has picked up... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Traffic Tickets and Appeals / Appellate Law for Florida on
Q: I was convicted of a dui back in 2012 and it's my first conviction in fl how do I do the dui class if I live in nv

I have completed mental health program in nv can fl accept it as I did a substance abuse treatment

Kevin John Mawn
Kevin John Mawn
answered on May 10, 2023

You should contact the Bureau of Administrative Review, in Florida, to determine if your NV class will meet the requirements of Florida’s DUI level 1 school. Unless you live or work in a Florida County, you are prohibited from taking the FL DUI level 1 class. Thus, out of State classes should be... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Traffic Tickets and Appeals / Appellate Law for Florida on
Q: I was convicted of a dui back in 2012 and it's my first conviction in fl how do I do the dui class if I live in nv

I have completed mental health program in nv can fl accept it as I did a substance abuse treatment

Jonathan Blecher
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answered on May 18, 2023

You need to contact a DUI program in Florida and request a transfer of DUI school supervision/treatment to your home state. The Florida school will advise you which school and treatment provider in your area will satisfy Florida's requirements, will communicate with the NV program, and will... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Florida on
Q: What do I do if the police search my car without permission for a simple improper lane change
Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on May 8, 2023

Under Terry v Ohio, a police officer is permitted to do a reasonable search for weapons for his protection where he has reason to believe that he is dealing with an armed and dangerous individual, regardless of whether he has probable cause to arrest the individual for a crime. The scope of this... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Florida on
Q: What do I do if the police search my car without permission for a simple improper lane change
Jonathan Blecher
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answered on May 8, 2023

Police misconduct in search and seizure is still around - despite the Exclusionary Rule and thousands of cases trying to rein in police overzealous behavior. If you were arrested as a result of evidence found during an illegal search, your lawyer can try to exclude the seized evidence from court... Read more »

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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 »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: If the arresting officer says that you're only going to 7 months If you give a statement Then Is going To court And

Receiving 10 years first offense Could this be considered Coercion?

Jonathan Blecher
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answered on Apr 7, 2023

It is almost always legal for police to lie during interrogations. Police have long been prohibited from using physical force during interrogations, but they are still allowed to use a variety of powerful psychological ploys to extract confessions from people. Allowing the police to lie to suspects... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Health Care Law for Florida on
Q: How can a past felony be reduced to a misdemeanor status in Florida through legal means?

How can a past felony be reduced to a misdemeanor status in Florida through legal means?

In 2018, I was charged with possessing a fake identification in the state of Florida, which resulted in a felony charge. However, I received adjudication withheld status after successfully completing... Read more »

Jonathan Blecher
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answered on Apr 5, 2023

Sealing your record won't help you when applying for certification in the "Compact". The case will come up in a level II background check AND you must disclose the arrest, regardless of the withhold or a sealing. The time limit has passed to vacate the plea. However, a lawyer would... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Health Care Law for Florida on
Q: How can a past felony be reduced to a misdemeanor status in Florida through legal means?

How can a past felony be reduced to a misdemeanor status in Florida through legal means?

In 2018, I was charged with possessing a fake identification in the state of Florida, which resulted in a felony charge. However, I received adjudication withheld status after successfully completing... Read more »

Jenna Cyra Finkelstein
Jenna Cyra Finkelstein
answered on Apr 5, 2023

Hello-

If you were not convicted of the charge, and have no other criminal and/or criminal traffic convictions, you may be eligible to have that case sealed. It cannot be reduced to a misdemeanor but it can be sealed. However, note that medical boards and similar agencies still require disclosure.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Can you explain what commence the prosecution means in a criminal case?
Jonathan Blecher
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answered on Mar 30, 2023

Commencing the prosecution in a criminal case means that the legal process of pursuing criminal charges against a person or entity has been initiated.

It involves filing a formal criminal complaint or indictment, which outlines the specific charges and accusations against the defendant, and...
Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: Can you be charged with soliciting a prostitute weeks after the encounter
Leonard Louis Cagan
Leonard Louis Cagan
answered on Mar 27, 2023

The answer is yes. Without knowing the details, a charge that comes later is likely - especially if the police are using a Confidential Informant or undercover officer. This is often done to try to protect the identity of the person used. The charge must be brought within the Statute of... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law and Business Law for Florida on
Q: Our pharmacy in FL was burglarized by the alarm company’s tech in 2017. One was caught and sentenced, can we still sue?

The alarm company we hired to install cameras and security system sent out a tech to do the install, that tech later robbed the pharmacy with a help from another person. That second person was caught and sentenced and police immediately knew it was the alarm company’s tech because upon reviewing... Read more »

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 23, 2023

The Fla. Limitations period for negligence suit is 4 years from either the date of incident or from the time the damage was discovered. Either way, the time is probably up for an action based on negligence, such as negligent hiring or negligent retention. I say "probably" because this... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: If the state was ordered to provide such a documents

In the motion of discovery. And failed to submit half of them. Due to there being a lack of evidence now, can we ask for a motion to dismiss based on lack of evidence to convict

Jonathan Blecher
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answered on Mar 22, 2023

Your attorney is the best person to answer this for you, since he/she has a full knowledge of the facts. A Sworn Motion to Dismiss is the pretrial effort to toss the case. That motion lays out what the undisputed material facts are (as established by the evidence) and argues that the facts do not... Read more »

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: Reduce Misdemeanor for petit theft ($55) to infraction in Florida as a first-time offender?

I am on a visa and therefore would like an "immigration-safe" outcome of the case. Is it possible to reduce my misdemeanor charge for petit theft of $55 to an infraction in Florida? If not, do you recommend anything else to not be convicted under USCIS law? I am a first-time offender.

Kevin D. Slattery Esq.
Kevin D. Slattery Esq.
answered on Mar 21, 2023

Consult with a competent and experienced immigration attorney and be prepared to provide copies of your criminal case documents for analysis. If the charge is the petit theft statute (and not the retail theft statute), there is actually good case law as it relates to such an offense NOT being a... Read more »

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: Reduce Misdemeanor for petit theft ($55) to infraction in Florida as a first-time offender?

I am on a visa and therefore would like an "immigration-safe" outcome of the case. Is it possible to reduce my misdemeanor charge for petit theft of $55 to an infraction in Florida? If not, do you recommend anything else to not be convicted under USCIS law? I am a first-time offender.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 29, 2023

In Florida, it may be possible to reduce a misdemeanor charge for petit theft to an infraction, depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the prosecutor's discretion. However, this may not necessarily have an impact on your immigration status, as USCIS may still consider a... Read more »

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