The United States Constitution grants criminal defendants numerous rights to help ensure that they receive fair hearings. Among other things, the Constitution guarantees the right to a trial before a jury. As discussed in a recent Florida sex crime case, however, the right to a jury trial does not require a trial before a 12-person […] The post Florida Court Discusses the Right to a 12-Person Jury in Criminal Cases appeared first on Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog ..read more

In Florida, the courts generally rely on sentencing guidelines when determining appropriate penalties in criminal cases. The courts can deviate from the guidelines, though, if they determine that doing so is necessary under the circumstances. Recently, a Florida court discussed the grounds for issuing an upward variance sentence in a robbery case in which the […] The post Court Analyzes Upward Variances in Florida Criminal Sentences appeared first on Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog ..read more

It is not uncommon for verbal disagreements to become physical, which can ultimately result in criminal charges. In Florida, a person charged with assault or other violent defenses may be able to avoid a conviction if they can demonstrate they were acting in self-defense. If a court unjustly declines to instruct the jury on self-defense, […] The post Florida Court Discusses Self Defense Jury Instructions in Violent Crime Cases appeared first on Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog ..read more

When attempting to demonstrate a defendant’s guilt in a theft crime case, the State will often rely on both direct and circumstantial evidence. In some instances, the State may attempt to introduce evidence of collateral crimes as well. Such evidence is only admissible in certain circumstances, though, as discussed in a recent Florida ruling. If […] The post Florida Court Discusses Collateral Crime Evidence in Theft Cases appeared first on Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog ..read more

Pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act, people convicted of serious drug offenses may face enhanced penalties if they are later convicted of another crime. There is often a dispute over what constitutes a serious offense, however. Recently, the United States Supreme Court clarified the Armed Career Criminal Act, ultimately adopting a backward-looking approach. If […] The post Supreme Court Discusses Serious Drug Offenses Under the Armed Career Criminal Act appeared first on Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog ..read more

Following the disbursing of loans during the pandemic, the government began to crack down on people who they alleged fraudulently obtained COVID relief. As with all criminal cases, the prosecution must prove each element of a crime in COVID loan theft cases, and if they cannot, the defendant should not be convicted. In a recent […] The post Florida Court Discusses Grounds for Vacating an Identify Theft Conviction appeared first on Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog ..read more

People convicted of felonies often lose certain rights, like the right to possess a weapon. As such, if they are subsequently found with a gun in their possession, they may be charged with a crime. Additionally, depending on their criminal history, they may be sentenced as a career criminal. In a recent Florida gun crime case, the court discussed the grounds for deeming a defendant a career criminal before ultimately determining the defendant was properly classified. If you are charged with a weapons offense, it is smart to meet with a Tampa gun crime defense attorney to determine your options ..read more

People convicted of disbursing drugs often face substantial sentences. While a subsequent intervening change in the law may impact the grounds for imposing a sentence in a drug crime case, it can be difficult to establish that such modifications are grounds for a sentence reduction, as discussed in a recent Florida ruling. If you are accused of distributing narcotics, it is in your best interest to talk to a Tampa drug crime defense attorney about your possible defenses. Case Setting Allegedly, in February 2013, the defendant pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine in vi ..read more

The Florida and United States Constitutions aim to protect the rights of people charged with crimes. This means, among other things, that if the prosecution violates a person’s rights at any point in a criminal proceeding, such violations also may constitute grounds for challenging convictions that were the end result of such proceedings. Merely because a person disagrees with a jury’s verdict does not mean a verdict is unjust, however, as demonstrated in a recent ruling delivered in a Florida burglary case. If you are accused of burglary, it is smart to speak to a Tampa theft crime defense la ..read more

Criminal defendants will often want to mount a vigorous defense against the charges they face. In some instances, though, they will find it beneficial to enter into a plea agreement. Sentences issued pursuant to such agreements must abide by the sentencing laws and guidelines; otherwise, they may be overturned. This was demonstrated in a recent Florida weapons crime case in which the defendant argued that his consecutive sentences were illegal and ultimately prevailed. If you are accused of a gun crime, it is in your best interest to meet with a Tampa gun crime defense lawyer to determine your ..read more