JONATHAN B. BLECHER, P.A. LEGAL BLOG

A DUI Can Cost More Than You Think

If a police officer pulls you over because they suspect you of a driving under the influence (DUI) infraction, they will ask you to perform certain physical tests before they arrest you and chemical tests after arrest. You may question the validity of those test results because you know that you were not drunk at […]

How do I establish an alibi in a criminal case?

by Jonathan Blecher | August 25, 2022 | Criminal Defense

If you are indicted and charged with a crime, it is in your best interest to take the charges seriously. If you do not and are convicted, you will pay a heavy price. One of the most effective defense strategies you can consider when facing a criminal charge is establishing an alibi. Basically, an alibi […]

How much does the average person drink?

by Jonathan Blecher | August 17, 2022 | DUI

When someone gets pulled over for a DUI, critics will sometimes say that they should have just not consumed as much alcohol. That would have perhaps kept them under the legal limit, or it would have given their blood alcohol concentration time to fall far enough that they could have driven safely. But this leads […]

Your teenager is probably drinking already

by Jonathan Blecher | August 8, 2022 | DUI, Underage DUI

It is certainly true that no one in the United States is supposed to drink until they turn 21 years old. The legal drinking age has moved around a bit over the decades, but it has firmly been set at 21 for quite some time now and all teenagers understand that they are not allowed […]

How is an Alford plea different from a “no contest” plea?

Thanks to renewed interest in the case against author Michael Peterson, whose conviction for the murder of his wife was overturned, the concept of an “Alford Plea” has once again entered the public consciousness. But what exactly is an Alford plea? How does it differ from pleading “nolo contendere” (“no contest”) in court? The end […]

Can you be searched without a warrant?

by Jonathan Blecher | June 28, 2022 | Criminal Defense

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures by the police. It states that law enforcement officials cannot legally search your home or belongings without a valid warrant. However, there are some exceptions. The police can conduct a warrant-less but lawful search of you or your property in some cases. These are described […]

Watch your drink: Drugs could lead to a DUI

by Jonathan Blecher | June 27, 2022 | Drug DUI, DUI

You were out at a club and you had a few drinks–but nothing that should have remained in your system to the point of impairment by the time you decided left for home. However, you left because you started to feel tired and disoriented, deciding that you probably just needed to get some sleep. If […]

Can my charges be reduced?

by Jonathan Blecher | June 17, 2022 | Criminal Defense, DUI

You’re facing serious criminal charges, and you don’t really think that you can totally avoid a conviction – but you may have hope of seeing your charges reduced. Reduced charges (especially when they take an offense from a felony to a misdemeanor) can still benefit you when it comes to sentencing and the overall impact […]

Can breathalyzer equipment give false results?

by Jonathan Blecher | May 25, 2022 | DUI

Even if you have never encountered one, there is a pretty good chance you have heard about breathalyzer tests. Basically, a breathalyzer test is used to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level in a DUI arrest. If the equipment gives a positive outcome, the obtained BAC test result can be used as evidence […]

What is a no-contest plea during a criminal trial?

by Jonathan Blecher | May 23, 2022 | Criminal Defense

If you are charged with a crime in Florida, one of the most important issues you will need to explore is the type of plea you should enter during the arraignment. One of the pleas you can consider is known as a “no-contest plea.” Nolo contendere or no-contest is a Latin term that translates to […]