In the realm of criminal cases one way a defense attorney can protect a client is to argue self-defense. Some years ago, there were reports of a 'Warning Shot Bill' that would allow Floridians to fire a warning shot. There is no law that specifically 'allows a warning shot'. What in the stand your ground law caused the confusion that has me answering similar questions years later?
Criminal Assault, the Threatened Use of Force and Warning Shots
DUI, the 20 minute observation & DHSMV Hearings
After an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI), if the driver is alleged to have refused to provide a breath sample or provided a sample resulting over .08, then the arrestee's driver license is supposed to be automatically suspended. This suspension takes place after ten (10) days. A driver must apply to challenge the suspension at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) or DMV within those same ten (10) days. DHSMV blog.
Alimony / Spousal Support in a Florida Divorce
In some divorce cases, alimony can be awarded to a former spouse that is in need of spousal support if the paying spouse has the ability to pay. Alimony is considered after equitable distribution. The court may grant alimony to either spouse. The requesting spouse must demonstrate a need for alimony and the ability of the other spouse to pay alimony.
Leaving The Scene Of Crash Involving Death - Actual Knowledge Required
The criminal traffic charge of Leaving the Scene of an Accident (LSA) or Hit and Run from a crash involving a death is a serious felony.
Carrying of Concealed Weapons or Firearms in a State of Emergency.
In criminal cases, this writer has said, "firearm equals felony". In violations of 790.01, Florida's law that criminalizes the carrying of concealed firearms or weapons, the unlicensed carrying on the person of a weapon is a misdemeanor while unlicensed carrying on the person of a firearm is a felony.
DUI Refusal What You Don't Say or Do Gets Held Against You Too
If a person accused of DUI refuses to submit to field sobriety exercises or to submit a breath sample a common concern is whether the refusal can be used against the DUI Defendant in Court. As to the driver's license, being deemed to have refused will cause an automatic suspension unless a review hearing is requested and won at the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
Injunction for Stalking - Enough is Enough, or is it?
In Florida, there is a legal action called an Injunction for Protection against Stalking. Injunctions are also called orders for protection or stay away orders in other jurisdictions. Stalking is defined as whent an accused "willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks another person." Harass means to "engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves no legitimate purpose.
Failure to stop for school bus, a traffic infraction in Florida
In Florida, a traffic ticket for failing to come to a stop for a school is a civil traffic infraction and not a criminal charge. The traffic law states that any driver "shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn." Failing to stop for a school bus is always a moving violation. Then it gets more confusing.
Settling Criminal Cases - Open Plea & the Mercy of the Court
In criminal cases, it is not uncommon for people to call the office after their current lawyer has failed to reach an acceptable agreement with the prosecutors or the caller does not like the offer received. Sometimes, the unfortunate circumstance of the case is that the prosecutor will not make a deal. Sometimes just having a lawyer who answers to the Defendant for their paycheck instead of the government makes a big difference to the Defendant. Sometimes there are things that can be done to present the case in a better light.
Criminal Self-Defense Immunity a.k.a. Stand Your Ground
Self Defense has been an available affirmative defense to criminal cases since the dawn of society. Florida also has long acknowledged the fundamental right to use force in defense of self or others. The essential elements of self-defense have stayed about the same. A person may use deadly force when it is reasonably necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the person or to another person. The procedure and burden of proof required to make a self-defense argument has changed.
