Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Understanding The Drug Court System In Florida
What is “Drug Court”? Drug courts are an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system, providing intensive treatment and intervention instead of imprisonment for certain drug crimes. Florida pioneered the drug court system in the 1980s to address underlying issues behind arrests due to substance abuse. There are now 93 drug courts in Florida,… Read More »
Is Interference With Child Custody A Crime In Florida?
Child custody is one of the most emotionally charged areas of law, due to the stakes involved for parents and their children. Both parents are generally entitled to spend certain periods of time with their children following a divorce or breakup, and this usually follows a court-ordered schedule. It is all too common, however,… Read More »
What To Know About The Appeals Process In Florida Criminal Cases
Hearing the word “Guilty” at the end of a trial is what every Florida criminal defendant fears. Months of anxiety and tension lead to a devastating verdict and likely jail time. The question, then, is what comes next for a person that feels they may be out of options. In criminal cases, a defendant… Read More »
Open House Parties In Florida And Criminal Responsibility: What Happens When The Fun Stops
Nobody hosts a house party intending to cause problems – run-ins with law enforcement may be the last thing on their minds. Yet, criminal charges frequently arise out of parties thrown near any of the Orlando area’s colleges. Some charges go beyond the typical noise complaints most would expect. When minors attend house parties… Read More »
When Can Police Enter My Home Or Apartment Without A Warrant?
The freedom from unreasonable searches of our homes is one of the bedrock principles of the Bill of Rights, enshrined within the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Specifically, the Fourth Amendment states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not… Read More »
What Is The “Williams Rule” In Florida Criminal Cases?
In a criminal trial, prosecutors are generally forbidden from introducing evidence about a defendant’s character, or acts they’ve done in the past that are not related to the crime in question. This keeps the trial focused on the evidence at hand and prevents the jury from building a biased and negative opinion of the… Read More »
What Is The Difference Between A No Contest Plea And A Guilty Plea In Florida?
You may have heard about different types of pleas a defendant can enter in a criminal case. Pleas of guilty, not guilty, or guilty by reason of insanity are mostly self-explanatory. Less clear for most people, though, is the “no contest”, or nolo contendere plea. A no contest plea means the defendant will not… Read More »
Looking Out For A Child’s Future In The Florida Juvenile Court Process
Juvenile court programs were originally created to oversee cases that would otherwise be handled in criminal court, and to protect children from the harsh (and lifelong) consequences of criminal convictions. The main goal of a juvenile case is to address the conduct involved, help reform the individual, and keep them from appearing on the… Read More »
The U.S. Supreme Court Ruling In Vega And Its Impact For Floridians
A person’s “right to remain silent” has been a crucial and well-known element of criminal arrests since the Miranda v. Arizona Supreme Court ruling in the 1960s. The Miranda ruling and its place among a defendant’s Constitutional rights was considered as part of a recent Supreme Court decision in Vega v. Tekoh. While the… Read More »
How Long Does A DUI Affect Your Record In Florida?
If you are currently facing a DUI charge in Florida, or already have a DUI conviction on your record, you’ll want to know how long a DUI conviction will remain on your record. You also want to know what your options are to limit the impact of a DUI conviction on your future. The… Read More »
