- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Monday, March 4, 2019
When faced with a crisis, it can be hard to make an informed decision. We understand that having criminal charges brought against you or a loved one can leave you reeling and unsure of where to turn. Finding a professional to represent and protect you during this difficult time can be confusing. As you seek a qualified Tampa defense attorney, we hope you’ll keep the following in mind. Experience When your future is on the line, go with someone who can get results. Experience matters in the legal system. Even if your case never goes to trial, having someone on your side that can easily maneuver within the constraints of our judicial system can make a huge difference in your... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, February 19, 2019
When charged with a crime, a defendant has several options. During the arraignment, which is the formal reading of charges, the defendant will be asked to “enter a plea.” This is essentially the defendant “answering” to the charges against him or her. On the advice of counsel—whether that’s a public defender or a skilled Tampa criminal defense attorney—the defendant may plead Not Guilty, No Contest (Nolo Contendere), or Guilty. Defendants can also choose to stand mute and not enter a plea. At that point, a not guilty plea will be entered on his or her behalf. Now, most people have heard of please like “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity” or “Not Guilty by Reason of Self-Defense,” however, these are... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Theft, vandalism, trespassing, fraud, arson—these are all property crimes. While the crimes themselves differ, they each involve the taking of or destruction of someone else’s property without their permission. Because there are numerous crimes that fall under this category, and because the magnitude of the crimes themselves can vary, a Florida property crime may be a misdemeanor or a felony. Types of Property Crimes in Florida The following Florida property crimes are listed in alphabetical order. Arson Arson is a felony in Florida and involves the deliberate setting of property on fire. The severity of the charges will depend on the amount of damage caused and whether the fire posed a threat or injured any individuals. Generally, fires that are set... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence on Thursday, January 31, 2019
Restraining orders are a useful tool meant to help protect the vulnerable. Unfortunately, they are sometimes abused by individuals who think it may help them in some way. Whether it’s a contentious divorce case, a bad breakup, or another kind of dispute, a restraining order can be wielded like a weapon to secure temporary custody, keep an individual from their rightful residence, or otherwise harm another person. At Mike G Law, I fully support the use of restraining orders when legally appropriate and necessary. I believe they can help protect victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable individuals. As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen how restraining orders can help give victims the strength and resolve they need to disentangle themselves... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Drug Possession, Marijuana, Prescription Drug Violations on Monday, January 14, 2019
The nation is gripped in an opioid epidemic. Overdose deaths have made the news, not just because of their prevalence, but because they can affect all communities. While groups attempt to curb the use of opioids and provide help or treatment to addicts, the possession of opioids without a prescription remains illegal leaving law enforcement to crack down in an attempt to save lives and get illegal opioids off the streets. Simultaneously, more states are approving medical marijuana (including Florida) and even recreational marijuana for adult use. What does this mean for drug possession laws? Is it ok to possess marijuana but not fentanyl or oxycodone? Is possession of particular drugs punished more harshly than possession of other drugs? What... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, January 3, 2019
We live in a technological society that has opened new avenues of commerce and growth. At the same time, a new gray area has opened up for prosecution. The internet hasn’t just brought along the onset of social media and online shopping. It has also given us viruses, DDoS attacks, hackers, worms, ransomware, and more. Often, though, the lines between what’s legal online and what’s not can be confusing, especially for new techies who are testing out their computing skills. In this post, I’ll be covering what cybercrimes are and delving into a few specific types of cybercrimes. Florida Cybercrimes With the continual growth and evolution of technology, the scope of cybercrimes also grows. It’s a field that will continue... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Monday, December 17, 2018
As the first state in the nation to enact a “stand your ground” law, Florida has received a lot of attention, both negative and positive. Often, the law is misrepresented or shared in a confusing fashion. Because of its ties to high-profile cases such as those of George Zimmerman for the shooting of Trayvon Martin and the more recent shooting of Markeis McGlockton by Michael Drejka, the Florida Stand Your Ground law is often cast in a negative light. However, this overlooks the true goal of the law. History of the Florida Stand Your Ground Law The Florida Stand Your Ground law is based on the “castle doctrine.” The idea is that an individual who is legally occupying a place—their... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense, Uncategorized on Monday, December 3, 2018
If you watch legal television shows, you’ve probably seen that scene where the defense attorney is able to convince the judge that his client needs some type of treatment rather than jail time. Moved by the compelling defense, the judge agrees and sets in motion some kind of treatment plan for the defendant to pursue. What you probably will not see is a judge whose hands are figuratively tied behind her back because she feels there are better treatment options for a defendant but, by law, she must impose a mandatory minimum sentence. Mandatory minimum sentences are just what the name implies—they are required sentences of a set timeframe that must be enforced for particular crimes. The goal of mandatory... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes on Monday, November 26, 2018
In January, 9 students were charged with hazing which resulted in the death of Andrew Coffey, a junior at FSU who was pledging Pi Kappa Phi. Five of the students chose to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in order to avoid up to five years in prison if convicted on felony hazing charges. The other four individuals charged are awaiting trial. Their cases are currently on hold. The tragedy of the young loss of life is clear — and yet, it’s also tragic to see 9 other young men have their futures possibly ruined because of poor choices made in an environment full of peer pressure. Campus Crimes: Disciplinary Hearings College can be a time of exploration. For many young... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Domestic Violence, Uncategorized on Monday, November 19, 2018
False accusations can have repercussions for many years. Those accused of abusing their spouses — even without any sort of trial — often become social pariahs. It can be difficult to hold down a job or start a new relationship, even though no formal charges have been brought against you. If children are involved, as is the case in many divorces, custody and visitation can be thrown in jeopardy. And if charges are brought, the situation can be even worse. For many people who are accused of domestic violence, there is the feeling that they are “guilty until proven innocent.” No one should have to face false allegations of domestic violence, however, because of how vitriolic some divorces and relationships... Read More »
