JONATHAN B. BLECHER, P.A. LEGAL BLOG

MADD Proposes Mandatory IID Installation in Florida

by Jonathan Blecher | May 17, 2021 | Criminal Defense, DUI

Mandatory IID Installation in FL Would Save Lives, Says MADD Drunk driving deaths in West Virginia, Arizona, Louisiana, and New Mexico have significantly decreased after ignition interlock devices were required for all DUI offenders. Florida may be next. Currently, a first-time DUI conviction with no aggravating factors in Florida does not require you to install […]

Can You Go to Canada if You Have a DUI?

by Jonathan Blecher | May 11, 2021 | Criminal Defense, DUI

Convicted for DUI or Reckless Driving? Canada May Not Let You In. If you got a DUI or reckless driving conviction in the US, you may want to reconsider your plans to visit Canada, as the country has strict policies on immigration and tourism for foreign nationals who have a criminal record. Canadian immigration officials […]

Tips for Virtual Court Hearings

by Jonathan Blecher | May 4, 2021 | Criminal Defense

How Do I Prepare for a Zoom Court Hearing? Virtual court hearings have become the new “norm” in the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we don’t know when all Florida courts will reopen for in-person hearings, we do know that video conference hearings are the only available option for most defendants in the state. If you were […]

Can I Have My Mugshot Removed from the Internet?

by Jonathan Blecher | April 13, 2021 | Uncategorized

While plenty of people probably enjoy seeing celebrity mugshots on tabloid covers, the fact is that it can be incredibly embarrassing for the person in question. Mugshots are public information, so even if you are just a regular person trying to leave the past behind you, chances are that you do not want your mugshot […]

Difference Between Hit and Run & Leaving the Scene of an Accident

by Jonathan Blecher | March 24, 2021 | Criminal Defense

Is Leaving the Scene of an Accident the Same as Hit and Run? Simply put, hit and run generally means the same thing as leaving the scene of an accident- it’s the term that’s more familiar to the general public. “Leaving the Scene of An Accident” is used in the legal context. A hit and […]

Is a Hit and Run Worse than a DUI in FL?

by Jonathan Blecher | March 10, 2021 | Criminal Defense, DUI

Hit and Run vs. DUI Regardless of the circumstances, hit and run charges and DUI charges are both serious. Clients often ask me if one is worse than the other, but the bottom line is each charge alone has damaging consequences. Getting accused of both crimes together is even more devastating. Depending on the details […]

Probation Violation Hearings During Covid

by Jonathan Blecher | March 3, 2021 | Firm News

Last year, I blogged about the possibilities of being drug or alcohol tested while on probation. Remember that if you’ve been placed on probation for DUI or any other criminal offense expect the possibility that the probation officer may require you to submit to drug or alcohol testing. A positive result on either of the […]

Rapper Trick Daddy Strikes Plea Deal on Cocaine and DUI Charges

by Jonathan Blecher | February 26, 2021 | Firm News

Rapper Trick Daddy, real name Maurice Young, negotiated a plea deal with prosecutors at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for his arrest on cocaine possession and DUI charges last January. The terms of the plea required accepting the cocaine possession charge, being sentenced to time served in jail (one day), a criminal conviction for the […]

Traffic Violations – and Nonprofit Funding – on a Decline During the Pandemic

by Jonathan Blecher | February 18, 2021 | Uncategorized

Less Traffic Tickets Means Less Funding for Florida Nonprofits As coronavirus cases started to rise across the country, government officials and health professionals urged people everywhere to limit unnecessary travel and stay home when possible. Americans heeded these warnings, and Florida drivers committed fewer traffic violations because of it. However, while safer roads are a […]

Speeding Incidents Are on the Rise

by Jonathan Blecher | February 10, 2021 | Uncategorized

Florida Is Experiencing an Increase in Super Speeder Violations Health officials have instructed families across the nation to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. Floridians have respected these directions, leaving once bustling roadways nearly vacant. The absence of traffic, while resulting in an overall decline in tickets issued, has paved the way for a significant […]