In 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported over 15.5 million licensed* drivers in the state of Florida. That number has surely increased with the recent influx of people moving to the Sunshine State. What is less certain is the number of unlicensed drivers in the state; this category contemplates those who have no driver’s license at all and those who may have a valid license in another state or country but do not have a corresponding privilege ..read more

Red Snapper has become all the rage for fishermen in Florida, thanks to executive generosity.  In May 2023, Governor Desantis announced the longest Gulf Red Snapper recreational season in the history of Florida’s management of the species. In August, the record season was further extended by 17 days to include every weekend in September (including Fridays), Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.  While the government has made no promises as to the duration of future seasons, the ..read more

Fishermen beware: Effective April 1, state regulations substantially reduced the bag limit and recreational season for red porgy in the Atlantic. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) cited “overfishing” and the need for “consistent regulations between state and federal waters” as reasons for the changes. What you need to know: 1. The daily bag limit is ONE (down from three) 2. Open recreational season is May through June (previously year-round) 3. The new ..read more

The 2022-2023 fishing and hunting season is in full swing! Beginning July 1, new FWC rules and regulations took effect (some took effect even earlier). While there are too many updates to list here, below we have summarized the changes that impact fishing and hunting in South Florida. WILD TURKEY – Hunters are now required to report harvested wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) within 24 hours of harvest and record the harvest in a log prior to ..read more

Whether at birth or by social conditioning, we possess survival instincts that inform our behavior during conflict. This is particularly true when we are accused of wrongdoing. Confrontational personalities may jump to an argument in their defense, while those who prefer peace and stability may rush to apologize. Either response to blame is natural and, in most environments, logical and beneficial. But what makes sense in daily life does not necessarily translate to the courtroom ..read more

Most people eagerly await their 5-year anniversary of permanent resident status (or 3 years for spouses of U.S. citizens) to meet the time requirement for applying for naturalization. Becoming a U.S. citizen is a lifelong dream for many, as it confers the right to vote, protection from deportation, and the ability to travel internationally without worrying about reentry. More importantly for some, citizenship is a source of patriotism and self-accomplishment. The added bonus is that ..read more

After returning to normalcy following the pandemic, Casanova Law experienced its best year yet in 2021 and continues to shine in 2022! Our success is visible not only in terms of satisfied clients and firm growth, but also in community recognition.  We are proud to announce the following highlights from 2021 and 2022: 1. Founding Attorney Lourdes Casanova was voted 2021 Member of the Year and 2022 President-Elect for the Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar ..read more

TIPS FOR AVOIDING OR MITIGATING A VIOLATION OF PROBATION Probation is both a blessing and a curse. On the plus side, it functions as an alternative resolution to jail time, restricting the defendant’s liberty with conditions rather than metal bars.  The downside is that the possibility of jail still looms over the probationer for the period of supervision, ready to take shape upon an alleged violation of probation (VOP).  A violation of probation can have ..read more

Juvenile criminal cases, known as delinquency proceedings, are arguably tougher than adult charges due to the intricacy of each proceeding, the number of parties involved, and the special rules in place. Among the added complications of a juvenile case is the presence of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), the state agency in Florida that operates juvenile detention centers and other aspects of the juvenile justice system, such as probation supervision, health screenings, and residential ..read more

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER As our criminal defense law firm enters its 6th year, we continue fulfilling our solemn responsibility to protect our community and our constitution. For most people – especially those without a prior record – a criminal arrest is the start of a deeply distressing experience that consumes the accused with anxiety, frustration, and confusion. It is our job to not only provide a strong defense against the government, but also to empower ..read more