Many people in the Fort Lauderdale area who otherwise have an unblemished criminal record may find themselves accused of a battery or assault related to domestic violence. Without any aggravating circumstances, even someone with no criminal history will likely face a...
Arson is a serious crime where a person’s property is intentionally destroyed by fire. If you are accused of this crime, the prosecution must demonstrate several elements to find you guilty. Arson First, the arson must have been intentional. This means that you set...
Embezzlement, insider trading and other financially motivated crimes are often viewed as nonviolent offenses committed by individuals against financial institutions or organizations or employees against their employers. But sometimes, these crimes may involve...
Why on earth, knowing the potential consequences, would someone confess to a crime they haven’t committed? Would it shock you to find out that 27% of homicide defendants who were later exonerated and listed on the National Registry of Exonerations confessed to the murder they were accused of committing? Here are some of the reasons that scientists (and defense attorneys) believe that…
Intentions are supposed to count for quite a lot in the criminal justice system. The intentions behind an act of violence often make the difference between a charge of manslaughter and murder. That’s why the felony murder rules used to convict many defendants of homicide are so troubling. Defendants charged under Florida’s felony murder laws are often confused about…
People used to think of cities as the place where violent crimes were likely to happen. Today, anyone with any knowledge on the matter knows that rural areas are probably a lot more dangerous than anywhere in a city. These days, cities are far safer than they were in the not-so-distant past. In the meantime, rural areas have become polluted…
What exactly is a second-degree murder charge? In the sometimes mysterious world of criminal law, it can be difficult for defendants and their relatives to understand exactly what any charge means. Here’s a basic explanation that can help you better prepare for the days ahead. Murder in the second degree is a charge that bridges the gap between manslaughter —…
Any time you hear that someone is accused of murder, it immediately makes you think the worst. There are different kinds of murders, though, and not all are as straightforward as you may believe. A second-degree murder is one that was intentional. It was not premeditated or planned. It also wasn’t committed in the heat of the moment. It can…
First degree murder is the most serious criminal offense you can be charged with because it can result in the death penalty, or a lifetime sentence in prison. As such, those accused of this crime will want to review the evidence and information being brought against them carefully to illuminate any flaws in the prosecution’s presentation of the facts. One…
Growing up, many people were told to keep their hands to themselves. This basic kindergarten rule can also help keep adults out of legal trouble. If you keep your hands, feet and anything attached to you to yourself, you aren’t likely to have to face the court for a battery charge. In Florida, battery is either a misdemeanor or a…
