Charged with a Misdemeanor? You Have the Right to a Lawyer
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. If you’ve been arrested for a misdemeanor charge, you are entitled to representation by a criminal defense lawyer. Under the Supreme Court’s ruling on Gideon v. Wainwright, individuals facing criminal charges have the right to representation under the Sixth Amendment. According to the Atlantic, Gideon was a poor petty thief in Florida who argued for his right to be appointed a lawyer for his case. When he was found guilty without the help of counsel, he took his case to the Supreme Court—and won. When his case was re-tried with a lawyer’s assistance, he was acquitted. His case shows how important having proper legal counsel can be. Yet, the victories of Gideon v. Wainwright may be in peril. […]
3 Potential Defenses in a Probation Violation Case
If you violate your probation, the proceedings that follow will be fairly similar to your initial run-in with the law, but there are a few key differences. For example, in the state of Florida, a judge will issue a warrant for your arrest if he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that you violated your probation; however, unlike the first time you were arrested, you will have no right to bond, nor any right to a speedy trial after violating probation. […]
Feds Claim Doctor Illegally Prescribed Millions of Dollars Worth of Pain Relievers
According to NewsTalk Florida, an 18-month investigation has led to the arrest of an 84-year-old Florida doctor. The Drug Enforcement Administration alleges that the physician illegally distributed approximately $10 million worth of pain relievers by issuing prescriptions for more than 16,000 amphetamine pills, 64,000 morphine pills, and 400,000 oxycodone pills. […]
What Are Technical Violations?
Pursuant to Florida Statute 948.011, probation is a privilege, not a right, and violating its terms can have serious consequences. There are two main categories of probation violations, and the penalties you will face depend on the category in which your violation falls. […]
Retired Coral Springs Police Deputy Chief Accused of Punching 69-Year-Old Driver after Collision
Local 10 News reports on the arrest of a former Coral Springs police deputy chief after an altercation in a Home Depot parking lot. The arrest report states that Mark Haydu, 56, who retired from the Coral Springs Police Department in good standing seven years ago, was involved in a minor accident with an SUV. […]
How Can a Drug Conviction Affect My Future? Insights from a Fort Lauderdale Drug Lawyer
If you are facing drug charges in Florida, you may be concerned about the potential penalties of a conviction, which might include hefty fines and jail time. There are also long-term consequences of having a conviction on your criminal record. […]