- 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 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 »
When charged with federal drug crimes, having an experienced Tampa defense lawyer who can properly represent you in court is essential. A federal drug crime charge will lead to a tough prosecution and heavy penalties if convicted. To ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best legal defense, you’ll need a lawyer with experience at the federal level. Public defenders are often overworked and ill-equipped to handle individual defenses. Seeking qualified representation can help you fight a charge or seek a plea agreement that results in a reduced sentenced. Here’s what you need to know about being charged with a federal drug crime and what your next step should be. The Difference Between Federal and State... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Saturday, April 7, 2018
The criminal justice system is surely not one size fits all. This can be especially true when it comes to serving youth. Unfortunately, many kids do not understand their rights when dealing with law enforcement, and their naivety can be used against them in court. Here is how the criminal justice system fails kids during arrests and interrogations. Few kids understand their Miranda rights Suspects who are under arrest and being interrogated by the police must be read their ‘Miranda Warning’ or legal rights. But a University of North Texas study found that the reading of one’s rights is no straightforward matter. In fact, researchers found that there are over 900 different warnings being read by law enforcement officers across... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, June 30, 2017
Should someone with a serious addiction problem be criminally charged for overdosing? She should if she is pregnant and the overdose harms the child, according to prosecutors in another state. Unfortunately, it’s not at all clear the mother was fully responsible for the harm to her child in this case. Emergency medical technicians, police and emergency room personnel all seem to have missed the symptoms of an overdose, causing a potentially major delay in treatment for the overdose. The 30-year-old woman was seven months pregnant when she was released from jail recently. She had been in jail for much of her pregnancy on charges of retail theft. When she was released, however, she was prescribed Narcan, a substance that reverses... Read More »
- On behalf of Mike G Law posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, April 27, 2017
The Florida House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill that would hold drug dealers criminally responsible when their products cause death. Contributing to a death by distributing a controlled substance would be considered manslaughter. A corresponding bill has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. In addition to the manslaughter charge for contributing to death, the bill also adds regulations regarding the opiate drugs fentanyl and carfentanil. Both would be added to Florida’s Schedule I of controlled substances. Fentanyl, which was ruled responsible for the death of internationally renowned artist Prince last year, is approximately 100 times as powerful as morphine and is sometimes used by opioid addicts. The bill adds... Read More »
