Blog Posts in June, 2014

What Judge am I Assigned to in Hillsborough County?

If you have been assigned to a division in Hillsborough County, you may be wondering what Judge will be handling your case. The division assignments do rotate occasionally. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, you can tell which Judge you are assigned to by last name. As of June 30, 2014, the assignments are: Division A - Judge Greco - G, O, S, U Division B - Judge Myers - B, F, P Division C - ...

Tampa's Best DUI Attorney?

After a DUI arrest, one question comes to mind for many people living in our area: who is the best DUI attorney in Tampa? This is not a simple question to answer. There are many skilled lawyers in the Tampa area who handle Driving Under the Influence cases. If you are trying to make a decision as to who to hire, there are a few questions you should start by asking yourself : 1. What is the ...

Actual vs. Constructive Possession

Possession of a firearm, ammunition, or any electronic device or weapon after being convicted of any felony is a crime in violation of both Florida and Federal criminal law. In order to prove this charge, the prosecution must first establish that you have previously been convicted of a felony. Florida law deems an individual a convicted felon if they have been convicted of an enumerated felony in ...

Cultivation or Manufacturing of Marijuana in Florida

Were you caught growing marijuana by law enforcement officers? A person who violates this commits a felony offense of the third degree, punishable by up to five (5) years in prison. If the person cultivating marijuana is growing marijuana for purposes of trafficking, the offense can be upgraded to a second degree felony punishable by up to fifteen (15) years in prison. It is presumed that the ...

How To Check If Your Florida Driver's License Is Valid

If you are curious as to the status of your license, you can quickly check at the following link: https://services.flhsmv.gov/DLCheck/ If your license is suspended, you need to take immediate action! Driving on a suspended license in Florida is a misdemeanor offense but can become a felony offense if you are considered a habitual traffic offender. Driving on a suspended license is punishable by ...

US Marshals Transfer Cellphone Surveillance from Sarasota Police Department to Prevent ACLU Review

The US Marshal Services has intervened in a dispute between the Sarasota Police Department and the ACLU. The Florida Chapter of the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Sarasota Police Department in an effort to compel the department to turn over records of the "Stingray" devices that the department is using to collect information from cell phones. The Stingray device acts as a cell phone tower in ...

Possession of Marijuana / Paraphernalia Defense Lawyer in Tampa

Possession of marijuana under 20 grams is a misdemeanor offense in Florida punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. More importantly, a conviction for possession of marijuana carries a mandatory two (2) year revocation of your driver's license! Therefore, it is imperative that you do not simply plea guilty or no contest to the charge! If you are charged with felony ...

Florida's Carrying a Concealed Weapon / Firearm Law

Under Florida Statute 790.01, "A person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree" and "A person who carries a concealed firearm on or about his person commits a felony of the third degree." A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine, and/or probation. A third degree felony is ...

Plan Ahead - HCSO to Run Two DUI Checkpoints on Friday, June 20th

On Friday, June 20th the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will be conducting not one - but two - DUI checkpoints in Hillsborough County. Drivers in the area need to be aware that they will be stopped and checked for telltale signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol on their breath, bloodshot/watery eyes, and slurred speech. If officers see signs of impairment drivers will be asked to ...

Tampa Child Pornography Defense Attorney

Being charged with a sex crime of any nature is a terrifying experience. First, society frowns upon sex crimes in general and if your peers find out about the accusations being made against you you will face scrutiny in professional and social circles alike. Second, sex crimes - especially child porn charges - carry extremely harsh penalties at both the state and federal levels. Florida Statute ...

Florida's Cruelty to Animals Law - Florida Statute 828.12

In the State of Florida, "any person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, commits animal cruelty", a misdemeanor of the first degree, which is punishable by up to one year ...