Category: Firm News

Key Takeaways from a Pitkin County Jail Incident

by Jonathan Blecher | October 7, 2020 | Firm News

A recent order from a local Colorado judge requires those who are arrested for DUI in Aspen and Pitkin County to remain in jail until their court hearing. Pitkin County Judge Erin Fernandez-Ely supported her decision with Colorado’s DUI statutes, which require anyone who was arrested for DUI to be brought before a county judge. […]

Can I Seal or Expunge My DUI Charges in Florida?

by Jonathan Blecher | June 24, 2020 | Firm News

Sealing or Expunging public criminal history records in Florida is governed by F.S. 943.0585, 943.059, and new statute 943.0581. The purpose of these statutes is to block public access to criminal records and to grant people the qualified permission to deny the existence of the record of arrest and court case. DUI convictions can never […]

Jonathan Blecher, P.A. Earns 2020 Super Lawyers Recognition

by Jonathan Blecher | June 17, 2020 | Firm News

Not One, Two or Three Times. But Six Times in a Row. It is with great pleasure to announce that I have been named to the 2020 Super Lawyers list yet again. For six years in a row, Super Lawyers has recognized my high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of […]

What to Expect When Miami Reopens

It’s Not “Business as Usual” Quite Yet Cities within Miami-Dade County have slowly re-opened their doors, but strict rules apply in order to enforce safety while getting started with the “new normal.” Speaking of which, Miami-Dade County announced its Phase 1 plan on Monday, May 18th, which allows non-essential businesses to reopen under certain regulations […]

What Curfews Are There in Miami-Dade County?

by Jonathan Blecher | April 24, 2020 | Firm News

Here’s a fairly current listing of municipalities in Miami-Dade County which have imposed a variety of “curfews”, “stay at home” and “safer at home” orders on their citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s a complete list of the emergency orders issue by Miami-Dade. Courtesy of Miami-Dade County: Miami-Dade County’s Juvenile Curfew Ordinance applies to anyone under […]

DUI Diversion Program Proposals in Florida Legislature

by Jonathan Blecher | February 18, 2020 | Firm News

Proposed House Bill HB 1145/Senate Bill SB 1396 (2020) attempt to establish parameters for a statewide DUI Diversion Program. As the bills stand, they create a hodgepodge of poorly designed, impractical, punitive, and sometimes optional, requirements. While I think it’s a great idea in theory, most State Senators and State Representatives on the Criminal Justice […]

Man Steals Weed from Airport Amnesty Box

by Jonathan Blecher | January 28, 2020 | Firm News

Illinois became the first state to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis through its legislative process, starting January 1, 2020. While cannabis is legal in Illinois, it’s not legal to take it on a plane with you. That’s against federal law. Forward-thinking Illinois authorities decided to give travelers a last-ditch effort to dump their weed before […]

Legal Cannabis Possible in 11 U.S. States Next Year

by Jonathan Blecher | December 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 […]

Can Anyone Enroll in the Back on Track Program?

by Jonathan Blecher | September 11, 2019 | Firm News

Every state handles driving under the influence (DUI) differently. In some states, a first-time DUI defendant may be able to get away with probation, while in other states, a jail sentence after a first DUI is almost guaranteed, even if it’s short. Sometimes, the legal alternatives vary from county to county. For instance, here in Miami-Dade County, we […]

When Is a Juvenile Tried as an Adult in Florida?

by Jonathan Blecher | May 29, 2019 | Firm News

“What does it mean for a juvenile to be tried as an adult?” It means the juvenile is charged or otherwise prosecuted as an adult. In other words, the juvenile is charged as if he or she were a legal adult. If a juvenile is prosecuted as an adult in Florida, he or she will face the […]