Texting while driving is responsible for more accidents than DUIs and The Florida legislature has finally put some teeth into the problem. Section 316.305 went into effect on January 1, 2019. It provides that motorists can be stopped and cited for texting and driving as a primary offense. The second part of the law, which went into effect in October,…
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Year: 2019
Will I need an FR44 Certificate After a DUI conviction in Florida?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Dec 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
Having your car impounded and your license suspended. Steep fines. Higher insurance rates. Jail time. Probation. That’s what you risk if you drive drunk in Florida, a state which has some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the nation. And that’s just a best-case scenario—things get even worse if you cause an accident or injuries while driving drunk. One…
Legal Cannabis Possible in 11 U.S. States Next Year
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Dec 9, 2019 | Firm News
There were efforts around the country to establish legal, adult-use cannabis this year. However, just Illinois enacted its Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA) over the summer, passing the state legislature and earning the governor’s signature. Fast forward to 2020. States that failed in their 2019 legalization efforts could make other attempts at passage. Some others will try their r first attempts at adult-use…
The Real Costs of a DUI in Florida
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Nov 19, 2019 | DUI
The Real Costs of a DUI in Florida Here’s some fairly reliable estimates a first-time DUI conviction could cost (the cost may be higher in some other states). Remember, these numbers are estimates so your mileage may vary. Fines, court and attorneys’ fees: $10,000 Florida has statutory/mandatory fines associated with DUI. Much will depend whether the DUI is a Firth…
What if I Don’t Pay a Fine for a Traffic Ticket in Florida?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Oct 23, 2019 | Criminal Defense
Traffic tickets can be real headaches. They typically involve fines, and they can easily lead to increased insurance premiums, points on your record, traffic school, and sometimes even court. So, what if you fail to pay a traffic ticket in Florida? What if you moved and forgot about the ticket or what if you couldn’t afford to pay it? What would…
Can I Claim Self-Defense in Florida?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Oct 16, 2019 | Criminal Defense
Are you facing assault or battery charges in Florida? If you are, you may be thinking something to the effect of, “But I was defending myself! Don’t I have a right to self-defense?” If you think about it, many fights involve: 1) someone who started it, and 2) someone who was struck first and defending themselves. If you’re the second…
Florida DUI: Do I Have to Take a Chemical Test?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Oct 9, 2019 | DUI
For a lot of drivers, what they learned about driving under the influence (DUI) stops, they gleaned from TV and the movies. In my experience, the average driver doesn’t know much about Florida’s DUI laws, but that’s not just the case in Florida, that’s the case across the nation. Few people have a firm grasp of their state’s DUI laws and that’s…
How Do I Avoid a DUI?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Oct 2, 2019 | DUI
If you’re like a lot of people, you enjoy drinking alcohol on occasion. After all, drinking is practically an American pastime. In the United States, it’s common for people to drink at weddings, holiday gatherings, family barbeques, Super Bowl parties, birthday parties, divorce parties, football games, concerts, and so on. Since alcohol is frequently available at so many places, even…
Are Criminal Records Public in Florida?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Sep 25, 2019 | Criminal Defense
If you were arrested for a crime in Florida, or if you were arrested and convicted of a crime, you may be wondering if your criminal record is public information. Trust me, you are not the first or the last person to wonder about this; clients ask me about this often. Usually, they want to know if their boss, a…
What Are the Shoplifting Laws in Florida?
Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. | Sep 18, 2019 | Criminal Defense
If you were recently arrested for shoplifting in Florida, you’re probably wondering about the applicable laws. Florida does not have a specific law about shoplifting. Instead, Florida’s shoplifting offenses are prosecuted under Florida’s theft law, which is covered under Section 812.014 of the Florida Statutes. Under Florida law, you commit the offense of “theft” when you knowingly obtain or use, or seek to obtain or use…