Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Why You Need A Lawyer For A Florida DUI Case
For anybody facing a DUI charge in Florida, the situation can be extremely stressful and confusing. Florida has tough laws for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), with penalties including substantial fines, jail time, and probation. Convicted drivers can also face license restrictions that affect a person’s ability to get back to work and get… Read More »
Traffic Stops And Police Dogs: What Are Your Rights When A Dog Sniff Leads To An Arrest?
Getting pulled over and stopped by police is a stressful experience – whether it is a routine traffic stop or something more. In all traffic stops, a driver has important legal and Constitutional rights. Generally, you are required to identify yourself when asked and provide proof of identification, insurance coverage, and vehicle registration. However,… Read More »
DUI Charges After A Reaction Between Alcohol And Medication – What Floridians Should Know
We normally think of DUI – Driving Under the Influence – as something that happens when someone drinks more than they should and gets behind the wheel. Under Florida’s Statutes for Driving Under the Influence, however, a DUI charge can be filed even if the driver’s blood-alcohol content (BAC) was under .08. If the… Read More »
What To Know About Florida’s Dog Laws
Dogs are lovable companions to millions of Floridians, but sometimes they aren’t always so friendly to strangers. Dogs will occasionally bite for any number of reasons – they may feel provoked, spooked, or protective over a person or property. When they do attack, serious injuries can occur to innocent people. In these situations, the… Read More »
False Imprisonment Charges And Defenses In Florida
When we think of the term “false imprisonment”, we tend to think of a victim being locked away and trapped – not of the many other ways a false imprisonment charge can come about. False imprisonment under Florida law involves any situation where a person is restrained or confined against their will. Under Florida… Read More »
Defending Against Embezzlement Charges In Florida
Embezzlement is a serious crime in Florida, with serious consequences for those charged and convicted. Typically, embezzlement happens when a person with access to money or property due to their employment – or other relationship of trust – takes ownership of that money or property for their personal use. Embezzlement is considered a “white… Read More »
Entrapment In Criminal Cases: What It Is And How It Can Affect Your Case
Entrapment is a common lament among those that have been charged with a crime and feel they were “set up”. More than just a complaint, however, entrapment is a valid affirmative defense to a criminal charge when the defendant committed the crime due to the coercion of a law enforcement official. If the defendant… Read More »
When Can A Threat Be A Crime In Florida?
Sometimes a person’s bark is louder than their bite, and they will say things they don’t mean – including comments that get viewed as a threat. However, written and verbal statements that are threatening in nature can lead to criminal charges in Florida. This can be true whether or not the person making the… Read More »
Signs That You Might Be Under Criminal Investigation In Florida, And What You Can Do In Response
Law enforcement officers use a variety of methods to obtain information on a suspect before presenting criminal charges to a prosecutor’s office. These methods can include what is known as a “pre-file investigation”. Through this investigation, officers collect evidence, including physical evidence and witness statements, to build a potential case that can be referred… Read More »
Asset Seizure In Florida: When Law Enforcement Can Seize Your Property, And What You Can Do To Get It Back
Civil asset forfeiture in criminal cases occurs when law enforcement seizes property that was allegedly used to conduct criminal activity. The most common example would be a vehicle that was confiscated after a drug arrest. While the defendant’s criminal case is pending, law enforcement could hold on to the vehicle and file a claim… Read More »
