Category Archives: Port St Lucie Criminal Defense Lawyer
(Sometimes) Getting Out of Jail Free
It’s very difficult to mount an effective defense if the defendant remains in jail. Many people accept unfavorable plea bargains just to end things quickly. On a closely related note, since prosecutors know there is little or no risk of a trial, they often do not offer favorable plea bargain agreements. So, the Eighth… Read More »
Five Search Warrant Exceptions in Florida Drug Crimes
Privacy rights are deeply embedded in the Constitution. For example, the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Before they can enter private property, such as a dwelling or vehicle, officers must generally have search warrants based on probable cause. Over the years, the Supreme Court has carved out some search warrant exceptions in… Read More »
Three Key Constitutional Rights in Criminal Cases
The jury trial is the cornerstone of Constitutional rights in the United States. Jury trials are arguably a uniquely American thing, as over 90 percent of the world’s jury trials occur in the United States. In criminal trials, prosecutors must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Constitution gives criminal defendants a number of… Read More »
The Types of Assault in Florida
Other than DUI and perhaps marijuana possession, assault is probably the most commonly-charged misdemeanor in St. Lucie County. Many assaults are basically arguments which got slightly out of control. Other assaults are domestic battery cases. In both these situations, officers must determine who was the aggressor and who was the victim. That’s often difficult… Read More »
Five Search Warrant Exceptions in St. Lucie County Drug Possession Cases
Drug trafficking operations usually involve extensive investigations and multi-agency cooperations. These efforts usually include formal search and seizure warrants. But drug possession cases are different. Generally, these cases might begin at traffic stops. Officers pull over the driver for something completely unrelated to drug possession, such as speeding. During the course of their investigation,… Read More »
Curing Probation Problems in Port St. Lucie
In most misdemeanors, and even in many felonies, St. Lucie County judges often sentence defendants to probation, unless the defendant has an extensive criminal record. This arrangement usually works out better for everyone. For the state, probation is much cheaper than incarceration. For the defendant, being on probation is almost always better than being… Read More »
Seven Constitutional Rights in a Drug Case
Here in Florida, a trial based on the facts is the bedrock of the criminal justice system. But in most parts of the world, a “trial based on the facts” is almost unheard of. 90 percent of the world’s jury trials occur in the United States. In criminal cases, the prosecutor faces off against… Read More »
