Most states have laws to ward off citizens from hiring prostitutes, a profession which is illegal in all 50 states. Basically, by punishing the Johns that solicit sexual services, the state aims to somehow curb that industry (whether that’s working is another story). Regardless of whether you think escort services should be legal or not, understanding solicitation laws in Florida can help keep you out of jail. In this article, we’ll cover the actual meaning of solicitation in Florida, what it entails and what can happen if you’re charged with solicitation. For the most up-to-date legal advice, however, you should contact Mike G Law. What is Considered Solicitation in Florida? In the state of Florida, solicitation is fairly clear and... Read More »
Being charged with rape can ruin your life. Even if you’re found not guilty, people may treat you differently. Case in point: Kobe Bryant. Talk of his untimely death in a helicopter accident inevitably led to a rehashing of rape charges stemming from a 2003 allegation. The case was dropped because the alleged victim refused to testify. He was never tried for sexual assault (though he did settle a civil lawsuit with the alleged victim), however, he was quickly labeled a rapist. Even after his death, there are plenty of articles about the alleged crime despite the case being dropped. And that’s a man with millions in the bank. How can a regular Joe fight rape charges? Rape, or sexual... Read More »
Probation isn’t quite freedom, but most would agree that it’s a lot better than being locked up. While there are a lot of rules that come along with probation, understanding them and knowing what constitutes a probation violation can help you prioritize your probation activities and stay on the right side of the law. What is Probation? Probation is a court-mandated supervision that requires an individual to abide by certain restrictions and to check in regularly with a probation officer. A judge may sentence an individual to probation instead of incarceration or in addition to incarceration. While probation is better than incarceration for most individuals convicted of the crime, some find the regulations too restrictive and have trouble adhering to... Read More »
On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, February 13, 2020
It’s tough to know the difference between the various degrees and classes of broken laws. We all know that something like murder is wrong and worth a hefty punishment, but how does Florida classify various forms of murder and other crimes? Instead of breaking down the differences between a type of crime, it’s much easier to understand the state’s approach to felonies and misdemeanors. In this post, we’ll be covering felonies, which crimes fall under this class, and the typical punishment for crimes classified as felonies. What Classes of Felonies Exist in Florida Law? In Florida, a few different degrees of felony charges exist. A third-degree felony is the lowest class of felony permitted under Florida law. Drug possession and... Read More »
After the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, the state legislature passed FL Statute 790.401 (also known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act) in an attempt to reduce the possibility of a similar event by allowing law enforcement to confiscate firearms and ammunition for individuals a court deemed dangerous. This act calls for individuals to report their suspicions about a perceived dangerous person to law enforcement, who must then investigate and ask for a risk protection order from the court if they see fit. What is a Risk Protection Order? A risk protection order is a court order that requires an individual (the “respondent”) to surrender their firearms to the authorities as... Read More »
Florida sex crimes are covered under multiple statutes and under different names than what we may expect. While most people understand what sexual assault or statutory rape is, what is meant by lewd and lascivious behavior is a bit unclear because of its name. Here’s what you need to know about lewd and lascivious behavior and the crimes that fall under it. What is Lewd and Lascivious Behavior? Lewd and lascivious behavior, at its most basic, is inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature where the victim is someone under 16 years old. Florida Statute 800.04 divides lewd and lascivious behavior into four categories: Lewd and Lascivious Battery (sexual activity with a child under 16 or forcing a child under 16... Read More »
On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Sex Crimes on Thursday, December 26, 2019
Certain convictions have long-reaching effects. Even after you’ve paid your debt to society and served your time, if you are charged with particular sexual offenses, you may be forced to register as a sex offender or sex predator for the rest of your life. This could make it more difficult to secure meaningful employment, get a degree, borrow money, buy a home, and more. Basically, it can make your life much, much harder. In this article, we’re going to cover the sexual crimes that require life-long registry with the state of Florida. To start, though, it’s important to note that if you’re under investigation for a sex crime or are charged with a sex crime, it’s crucial that you get... Read More »
On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, December 12, 2019
You’ve likely heard a story of a secret camera installed in a hotel room, a public bathroom, or an Airbnb. These stories are often used to scare or urge caution when traveling. One of the most famous of these types of incidents involved ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, who was unknowingly filmed in a hotel room while nude. The individual in that case was convicted of filming the reporter and posting videos of her online. That case, among others, has shone a spotlight on video voyeurism. What is Video Voyeurism? At its most basic, video voyeurism is the act of recording an individual in a private area without their consent. A “private area” in this case would be a non-public space... Read More »
On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, November 28, 2019
Probation is a type of legal supervision that is imposed by the court. An individual can be sentenced to probation instead of being giving jail time, or be given probation following a jail or prison term. Who Can Get Probation? Probation may be an option for individuals charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Who gets probation is determined during the sentencing phase of a trial or during the negotiation process of a plea deal. The likelihood of someone getting probation may be affected by the crime with which they are charged. During sentencing, the court can determine whether probation is a good fit under the law and for the situation at hand. According to Florida Statute § 948.011: “When... Read More »
On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Drug Possession on Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Many Florida patients are happy that they live in a state where medical marijuana is available. Unfortunately, there still remains some confusion about Florida medical marijuana laws (and Florida marijuana laws, in general). In addition, there is growing concern about the state’s involvement in maintaining a registry of medical marijuana patients. One question that we’ve seen a lot is whether the database can be accessed by law enforcement. Here’s what you need to know about Florida medical marijuana laws in order to protect yourself. Who Can Get Medical Marijuana in Florida? To become a medical marijuana patient, you must have a qualifying condition that is recognized by the state’s MMJ program. Currently, the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical... Read More »
