As the opioid epidemic rages throughout Florida and many other parts of the U.S., Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill into law that will mandate harsher penalties for people convicted of possessing at least four grams of fentanyl. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1 of this year. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 100 times stronger than morphine.…
A person can be charged with involuntary manslaughter for a host of reasons. Unlike a voluntary manslaughter charge, which requires that someone intended to kill another person, even if it was in the heat of passion, no such intent to harm or kill is required with involuntary manslaughter. The state does have to show that a person was guilty of “culpable…
If you are charged with any violent crime, such as involuntary manslaughter or murder, you need to take the time to think carefully about the consequences you are facing. These charges can come with some serious penalties. We know that you might be worried and hoping that the charges would just go away. The chances of this happening are very…
Any time you’re accused of a violent crime, you could face a misdemeanor or felony. Depending on the act, a felony can mean severe punishments. Florida still allows the death penalty. It’s typically reserved only for those who participate in the most heinous of crimes, but anyone facing a felony trial that has the death penalty listed as a potential…
If you are among the many Floridians affected somehow by the increasing popularity of fentanyl in the area, know that the state has now enacted minimum jail sentences for anyone who possesses certain amounts of the synthetic opioid. The governor recently signed House Bill 477 into law in an effort to reduce the number of fentanyl-related deaths and overdoses in…
Drug possession charges in Florida can come with some serious consequences. These charges aren’t ones that you can just ignore and hope that the prosecution decides that they aren’t worth pursuing. Instead, you have to spend time preparing your case. We understand that the fun lifestyle of the Fort Lauderdale area has many people living a life that is…
Many drug-related laws involve what are known as “controlled substances” and governed by the Controlled Substances Act. It should be noted that not all drugs listed in the CSA are illegal in all cases. Many are drugs that can be legally obtained with a prescription from a doctor, such as Vicodin, Xanax, OxyContin and even Tylenol with codeine. However, possession…
When you found a building burning nearby, you stopped to watch. You assumed someone else had called for help. When the police arrived, they began to question you. Suddenly, you realize that someone who saw you there believed that you were the one who started the fire. Starting a fire with the intent of burning or charring the property maliciously…
Drunk driving is a serious matter because it can lead to death, injury and property destruction. All of these are reasons why the laws in Florida are so harsh when it comes to drunk driving. If you are facing a first-time drunk driving charge, you might be very worried. The entire process might seem mystifying. It is imperative that you…
The recent DUI arrest of golf great Tiger Woods has brought an increasingly significant danger on our roads to the forefront of American discourse — people driving after taking legal, prescription medicine. Woods was arrested last month near his Florida home on suspicion of DUI after being discovered asleep in his vehicle. His breathalyzer results showed no signs of alcohol…
