Tag Archives: Port Saint Lucie Criminal Defense Attorney
Sorting Out Florida’s Confusing Marijuana Laws
Florida’s middle-of-the-road stance regarding marijuana legalization is already somewhat bewildering, and an ongoing court fight has increased that confusion. Earlier this year, a Tallahassee judge threw out the state’s medical marijuana law. The judge claimed that the Legislature had failed to implement a 2016 amendment which significantly broadened the law. It looked like this… Read More »
The Case Against Cesar Sayoc: Three Things We Know Now
Federal authorities recently arrested 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc, of Plantation, Florida, and charged him with mailing a series of explosives to outspoken, left-leaning public figures. At this point, no one knows very much about the alleged pipe bomber or the case against him. However, the case seems to be moving forward rapidly, and prosecutors appear… Read More »
Debunking Some Port St. Lucie DUI Myths
Driving Under the Influence is one of the most commonly-charged criminal offenses in the Treasure Coast. In fact, in some jurisdictions, half the county’s probationers were arrested for DUI. So, it is little wonder that there are so many myths out there about the Breathalyzer and other DUI aspects. These self-help defenses may not… Read More »
DMT Appears On Port St. Lucie Streets
A new substance — dimethyltryptamine — is making the rounds in the shadowy world of drug trafficking. Its appearance raises two interesting questions which are common in many drug cases. DMT, which has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, is basically a mild form of LSD. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, “The… Read More »
Hit-And-Run Crash Kills Vero Beach Jogger
An early morning run turned fatal after a driver struck a 30-year-old female on the shoulder and failed to stop. The accident occurred near the corner of 12th Street and 58th Avenue. A woman was running on the shoulder of westbound 12th Street when a 2007 Jeep Wrangler struck her, killing her almost instantly…. Read More »
Major Drug Arrest In Port St. Lucie
In a complex case that involves several legal issues, police arrested two men on drug-related criminal charges. After a lengthy investigation, officers executed a search warrant on a Southwest Starflower Avenue residence. Authorities entered one bedroom and seized two handguns, two rifles, ammunition, marijuana, crack cocaine, and a substantial amount of cash. In another… Read More »
Three Hidden Defenses In Port St. Lucie DUI Cases
More often than not, intoxication is basically the only issue in a driving under the influence case. Prosecutors must establish intoxication beyond a reasonable doubt. They either use circumstantial evidence from the field sobriety tests or direct evidence from chemical tests to meet this burden. However, to obtain convictions under the DUI law, prosecutors… Read More »
Hollywood, Real Life, And Search Warrant Exceptions In Florida
In the 1971 movie Dirty Harry, antihero Harry Callaghan pursues a fleeing murder suspect on foot. During the course of the chase, he enters the suspect’s apartment without a warrant and seizes a hunting rifle. In a subsequent conference, the prosecuting attorney informs the befuddled and upset San Francisco Police Inspector that the rifle… Read More »
The Perils Of Probation In Port St. Lucie
Normally, prosecutors almost always offer probation to defendants in St. Lucie County. If the defendant has a job and/or a family, staying in “the free world” is usually better than going to jail. The state gets something as well. Prison inmates represent a significant cost. The State of Florida spends over $20,000 per inmate… Read More »
Challenging The Field Sobriety Tests In A Florida DUI
According to most estimates, Florida has one of the highest chemical test refusal rates in the country. Much of this data dates back prior to the state’s refusal-to-submit law, and that measure may drive down the refusal rate. Section 316.1939 makes refusal to provide a chemical sample a misdemeanor. Faced with that kind of… Read More »
