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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…

According to several media reports, a police raid on the house of a British-Italian family has found almost 50lbs of dried basil, which the family claim is for personal use. Police raided the home of the Russo family after several reports from neighbors of pungent odors coming from the house. The police quickly found almost…

If you are getting divorced, you should consider this to be one of the most significant financial transactions of your life. Paying or receiving alimony is, quite frankly, a very big deal. In a Florida divorce proceeding, the judge may grant alimony to either party, which alimony may be bridge‑the‑gap, rehabilitative, durational, or permanent in…

VERO BEACH — A local woman was arrested early recently after officers said she punched an officer and caused a disturbance at a Vero Beach IHOP. The woman was charged with several crimes including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and trespassing after “acting irate” toward the restaurant’s other customers, according…