Stephen Jones is the current dean of the National College DUI Defense. He also serves as chairperson of the curriculum committee. About a year ago, Jones invited me to lecture at the 2015 winter session in Orlando, and I accepted his invitation. We agreed that my presentation would be on ethics. Frankly, I was surprised ... more
Getting to Not Guilty Despite Two Detectives’ Claims Convicted sex offenders living in Florida are required to register and provide their residence address with their local sheriff’s office. Florida law requires the probation department to confirm periodically that the address for those offenders who are on probation are both current and accurate. Conversely, sheriff’s departments ... more
A few weeks ago, a friend and colleague who lives and works in rural Oklahoma reached out to me for help. It seems a friend of his had been arrested at the Jacksonville airport by employees of TSA. Not for smuggling contraband. Not for terrorism. For battery. On a TSA employee. It seems my colleague’s ... more
A former Texas district attorney entered into an unusual plea bargain recently. He agreed to serve 10 days in jail for withholding evidence that could have stopped an innocent man from going to prison for nearly 25 years. This is apparently the first time a prosecutor has been sent to jail for concealing evidence helpful ... more
In a nationally televised press conference on Thursday, State Attorney Willie Meggs announced that Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston will not be charged with sexual assault. While it sounded as if Meggs found the accuser to be generally believable, gaps in her memory coupled with the discovery of DNA from another man (apparently the complainant’s ... more
John H. hired me to defend him against a DUI charge. He had two previous convictions, so he knew the stakes were high. He also was firmly convinced of his innocence. He’d been riding his motorcycle, and was pulled over only because he was not wearing protective eyewear. No bad driving. No speeding, no swaying, ... more
Had an entertaining trial this week. I defended a man charged with battery, which Florida law defines as touching or striking another person against that person’s will. My client’s version of the events was that he and the other guy, a cousin, had a verbal disagreement that got heated. My client offered to “put up ... more
A former client called me late last Wednesday night, seeking advice. Her son’s former wife had disappeared with their child, and four private investigators had tried to find her without success. Could you please help me, she asked. Of course, I told her. I only work with the best. Within minutes, I was on the ... more
I was delighted to be a Featured Instructor at the Criminal Defense seminar in Miami presented by International Legal and Forensic Science Services (ILFSS) on February 18. I led off the seminar with a session on Pre-Trial Strategies and Tactics, and joined in on the Trial Panels teaching Cross-Examination and Closing Arguments. A special thanks ... more
I spent an enjoyable Tuesday afternoon in Court, playing the role of Freedom Fighter as a stood up for the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits the police from conducting unreasonable searches and seizures. In this case, my guy had a pocketful of pot. As the curtain rises on this drama, several deputies were investigating a reported ... more
