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Knowing your rights if you are stopped by the police can help you avoid common mistakes and fundamentally influence the ultimate results of your case. To start with, you have the right to remain silent and the right to ask for an attorney. You generally do not have to consent to searches. You need to…

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Criminal Process Getting arrested is scary. Most people have never been through the system before. You hear words like “arraignment” and “discovery” and are unsure what they mean in your case. The criminal process in Florida follows a structure: Arrest → First Appearance → Arraignment → Discovery → Pre-Trial →…

Every attorney talks about penalties but not all explain the collateral consequences, which may bring with it other severe Consequences The decision is not limited to jail versus no jail. For example, a conviction may affect: Future sentencing exposure In DUI cases, penalties may include license suspension, ignition interlock requirements, mandatory classes, fines, probation, and…

And What Questions to Ask Before You Hire One If you have been charged with a crime, hiring the right lawyer matters. Criminal defense is not a commodity. Not all attorneys handle cases the same way. Not all attorneys prepare the same way. And not all attorneys are equally comfortable in a courtroom. Before hiring…

What You Need to Know Before Deciding In most criminal cases, the State makes a plea offer. The offer may reduce the charge. It may limit jail exposure. It may involve probation, fines, or a specific sentence in exchange for a guilty or no contest plea. Accepting a plea ends the case. It also results…

A Fort Pierce police officer believes that I hate cops. He wrote that on my Facebook page. I am sorry he feels that way. I do not hate police in general. I cannot think of one police officer I have ever met that I have ever hated personally. I certainly like some more than others.…

This Judge who forced lawyers to appear in person despite the coronavirus pandemic is now dead, according to a news story in The New York Daily News. Johnny Lee Baynes, a judge in Brooklyn since 2005, died on Thursday of pneumonia related to the novel coronavirus outbreak that has plagued New York City and the…

Recently, the Governor issued a “stay the #$%* at home” order, which he called “shelter in place.” Basically, he ordered all of us onto “house arrest.” But what is “house arrest” really? In Florida, house arrest is called the Community Control supervision. Florida Statute 948.001(3) defines the program as a form of “intensive, supervised custody…

For a couple of weeks now, I have been pondering the concept of solitary confinement. Since I am studying to become a lawyer/scientist, and not merely a criminal defense lawyer, I have done some research. I found one article fascinating: “The effects of solitary confinement have been debated since at least the middle of the…

As St. Lucie responds to the threat of COVID-19, we understand you may be concerned about the impact it’s having on our court system and your cases. In response to the 19th Circuit’s Administrative Order 2020-01, some court dates have been canceled. Meanwhile, our Deputy Clerk Professionals continue to work diligently to ensure your documents…