CIT Training is saving lives! Many of my family law and criminal cases involve parties with various mental-health issues. Most importantly, these issues complicate the resolution of their legal matters. Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a week-long law enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. The training provides law enforcement officers with the tools they...
Thirty-one years ago, at the ripe age of twenty, I was given a modest amount of training, a revolver, eighteen bullets and put on the streets of Miami-Dade County to enforce the law. I was given the authority by the government to deprive my fellow citizens of their liberty, at least temporarily, and sanctioned to use deadly force against them. I swore an oath to uphold the law and defend the...
DUI, or driving under the influence, kills thousands of people in the United States every year. Florida’s share of these casualties is considerable: according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were 8,476 DUI-related fatalities in the state between 2003 and 2012. Strong public backlash against those accused of drinking and driving has resulted in the passage of harsher...
Child support is meant to help both parents take care of their children following a divorce. Child support laws vary from state to state. In Florida there is a statutory table that determines child support amounts to be paid by each parent based upon their net income. These amounts are the baseline child support amounts. Whether you are paying child support or receiving child support, you...
A question I get asked all the time is should I take the breath test if I get stopped for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Florida? It is a simple question but one I cannot answer. In Florida, we have an implied consent law, once you are granted the privilege of driving in Florida and you accept that privilege, you consent to a breath test, or other tests as outlined in § 316.1932,...
In Florida, the crime of trafficking in marijuana is defined in section 893.135(1)(a) of the Florida Statues. So what is trafficking in marijuana according to Florida law? Any person who knowingly sells, purchases, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of, in excess of 25 pounds of marijuana, or 300 or more marijuana plants....
Your gun rights come with a host of serious responsibilities. Considering the repercussions for a gun crime—which can include jail time, fines, a criminal record, and a loss of your gun rights—you should never treat the matter lightly. Whether you've been arrested for illegal gun possession, shooting an intruder, or another gun-related crime, you must always understand your rights in the...
What does an arrest actually look like? For one thing, it doesn't always start with handcuffs and a booking—it can sometimes begin with a simple Notice to Appear in court. As a Florida resident, it's important to understand each step of the arrest process in your state. Get to know the following steps, so you can have a heads-up in case anything should happen. Step 1: Arrest If a police officer...
When parents are accused of behavior that harms their children, they may face a civil dependency action. The dependency process usually follows accusations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment and can result in the child's removal from the parents' custody. If you are a parent or guardian facing this situation, it's very important to understand how the civil case will proceed in your state. Keep...
When you're involved in a car accident caused by another driver, you might find that the expenses start to pile up fairly quickly. Between medical bills, car repairs, and lost time at work, it can feel as though you're being punished for someone else's mistake. If the injuries or property damage were extensive, the insurance settlement offer may not be enough—you may only be able to recover...
