An alibi defense can be a powerful tool in a criminal case. But presenting an effective alibi defense is more complicated than you might imagine, and begins with special procedural requirements. If you believe you have an alibi defense, it is important to tell...
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Florida, chances are good that you’ll be offered a plea deal also known as an offer. In a plea deal or an offer, the prosecution typically will convey to you or your attorney what they would be willing to accept as a penalty to...
Any criminal conviction can have serious consequences, but the specific penalties and their severity depend on the nature and classification of the crime. The best way to learn what’s at stake in your specific case is to consult an experienced Jacksonville criminal...
Most people never expect to need a criminal defense attorney, and don’t know much about the profession. That means it’s common to pick up impressions of defense lawyers from television, or a crazy story on the internet, or just stereotypes of unknown origin....
In general usage, “mitigating” simply means decreasing the negative aspects of something. For instance, if presented with bland food, a person might mitigate or improve the bland taste by adding sauce or seasoning. Now in the criminal context, the term mitigation has...
When you think about mental health and criminal defense, the first thing that springs to mind is probably the insanity defense. Florida does recognize an insanity defense, which provides if the defendant who has a mental disease or defect with a defense to criminal...
If you’ve been charged with a crime or believe you are about to be charged with a crime, not knowing what to expect can be very stressful. Though it’s hardly the only stressor in the criminal court process, it’s one you can easily address by speaking with an...
Even if you’ve had no prior experience with law enforcement or the criminal justice system, chances are that you’re aware of your right to remain silent. However, most people don’t understand exactly when the right to remain silent applies, when you must be advised of...
In Florida criminal appeals are often misunderstood. A criminal appeal is essentially the legal process by which a defendant seeks to challenge the ruling of the trial court. Now in the criminal context the vast majority of appeals occur after a defendant has been...