Category Archives: Criminal Defense
How Does a Tampa Defense Lawyer Resolve Criminal Charges?
Two hundred fifty years ago, criminal trials, usually jury trials, resolved almost all criminal cases. The percentage gradually dropped over the years. However, even as late as the 1980s, the trial percentage was fairly high. Today, the trial rate is about 3 percent. Some cases plead out almost immediately. Others do not end until… Read More »
Top Five Search Warrant Exceptions
During the Colonial period, Americans resented the fact that British officials used blank search warrants to rummage through their personal property any time they wanted to do so. So, the Founding Fathers added the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. This provision states that search warrants must be based on probable cause. Over the years,… Read More »
What’s the Burden of Proof in Criminal Court, And Why Does It Matter?
In what many people considered the trial of the century, former football star O.J. Simpson was acquitted of double murder charges in the mid 1990s. A short time later, a civil jury considered essentially the same evidence and concluded that Simpson was legally responsible for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman…. Read More »
How Do Tampa Attorneys Resolve Criminal Cases?
Once upon a time, when the Republic was founded, criminal defendants looked forward to their day in court. But these days usually do not happen anymore. Only about 2 percent of today’s criminal cases go all the way to trial. For the most part, these plea bargains are good things. They usually involve reduced… Read More »
Three Common Search Warrant Exceptions
During the Colonial period, British officials used blank warrants to search private property at will. So, the Framers added the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Almost immediately, the courts carved out some exceptions to the warrant requirement. Over the years, these exceptions have broadened to the point that officers rarely bother to obtain search… Read More »
Special Consent Rules in Florida Sex Crimes Cases
Many states very narrowly define consent in sexual battery matters. But Florida’s definition is rather broad. The law defines “consent” as “intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent.” Perhaps most significantly, there is no reference to prior encounters between the two parties. So, in the Sunshine State prior consent could be evidence of current consent. Nevertheless,… Read More »
