Category: Criminal Defense
Can I Claim Self-Defense in Florida?
by Jonathan Blecher | October 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 […]
Are Criminal Records Public in Florida?
by Jonathan Blecher | September 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 […]
What Are the Shoplifting Laws in Florida?
by Jonathan Blecher | September 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 […]
What Are Florida’s Concealed Weapon Laws?
by Jonathan Blecher | May 15, 2019 | Criminal Defense
In Florida, you need to have a concealed weapon license to lawfully carry a concealed weapon. Florida residents can apply for concealed weapons in-person, by mail, or online. If you’re interested in applying, you must meet the eligibility requirements and you will need the following documents: A Certificate of Completion that says you successfully completed a firearms […]
Do Incarcerated Parents Pay Child Support in Florida?
by Jonathan Blecher | March 18, 2019 | Criminal Defense
Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop when someone is convicted of a crime and incarcerated. When a parent is sentenced to jail or prison, he or she may have to set up a caregiver for their child. They may need to establish temporary legal custody for that caregiver, or they may need to set up a formal guardianship. If […]
Why Should I Get an Expungement?
by Jonathan Blecher | February 4, 2019 | Criminal Defense
There is no doubt that there’s a stigma of having a criminal record, and many people don’t truly realize the extent of this stigma until they experience it for themselves. While a criminal record can affect someone in many ways, there are three particular areas of life that are impacted the most: 1) employment, 2) […]
How Are Sex Offense Charges Defended?
by Jonathan Blecher | November 1, 2018 | Criminal Defense
If you are facing sex offense charges in Florida, you need a knowledgeable and experienced defense attorney – I cannot overstate this enough. In many cases, the penalties for a Florida sex offense are daunting. Sex offender registration, fines, and a lengthy prison sentence are only the beginning. If someone has to register as a sex offender […]
What Is the Difference Between State & Federal Courts?
by Jonathan Blecher | October 8, 2018 | Criminal Defense
In the United States, we have two types of courts – state courts and federal courts. The state courts handle violations of state laws, which are enacted by state legislators. Meanwhile, the federal courts handle violations of federal laws, which are established by Congress. State and federal courts have different jurisdictions. Jurisdiction refers to the […]
What Does Withhold of Adjudication Mean?
by Jonathan Blecher | September 4, 2018 | Criminal Defense
You’re probably aware of the traditional consequences of a criminal conviction – fines and imprisonment, but you may not realize some of the collateral consequences of a conviction, such as losing the right to vote, serve on a jury, and hold public office. A conviction can lead to other consequences as well. Convictions typically affect housing, […]
What Is Restitution in Florida?
by Jonathan Blecher | August 13, 2018 | Criminal Defense
In Florida, certain criminal defendants are ordered by the court to pay what’s called “restitution” to the victims of their crimes. Under Section 775.089 of the Florida Statutes, the court can order that an offender make restitution to their victim(s) for damage or loss caused by the offender’s criminal episode, or indirectly caused by the offense. According […]
