Author Archives: Site Administrator
Can probation impose limits on your use of alcohol?
If you’re on probation, you must abide by the specific rules given to you by the court. For instance, you may be told that you have to meet with your probation officer on a set schedule. If you skip a meeting, even for what you believe to be a good reason, that can be… Read More »
What you and your college student need to know about campus police
If your child is in college, they may or may not take campus police seriously. Many college students don’t even consider campus police to be “real” police. Whether they are or not varies by state and by school. If your son or daughter goes to school at one of the University of Florida campuses,… Read More »
Handling a knock on your door by the police
Consider this scenario: You’re having a party, and things get a little loud. The neighbors in another apartment don’t appreciate your music and the laughter from your guests. The neighbors call the police. The next thing you know, there’s a knock on your door and two uniformed officers are standing outside. Before you open… Read More »
How do the police know if you’re high when they pull you over?
When police suspect that a driver is intoxicated, the can conduct a breath test, get a reading and arrest that person if the breath test indicates that the driver’s blood-alcohol level is over .08. It’s not so easy, however, when police suspect someone of being impaired due to marijuana or another drug. So, how… Read More »
Police searches and your privacy rights
Police in Palm Beach County have considerable powers to search your person or property. But you have a right to privacy under the U.S. Constitution. Where is the balance between law enforcement and individual rights? As with many legal matters, it depends. In this case, the answer depends in part on where the search… Read More »
What is a ‘sneak and peak’ warrant?
With a so-called “sneak and peak” search warrant, police officers typically install secret cameras in a location to obtain evidence of an alleged crime. “Sneak and peak” warrants are controversial for many reasons, and courts in Florida, including the Fourth District Court of Appeal, have recently deemed the practice “extreme” and decided to suppress… Read More »
Undercover ‘sting’ operations and violations of defendants’ rights
It’s not uncommon for undercover police officers to impersonate a drug buyer in order to conduct a “sting” operation. This investigative tactic has led to many arrests and many serious drug charges in Palm Beach County. It’s also not uncommon for the arrested individuals to feel that their rights were violated by police. The… Read More »
3 basic factors to analyze for an effective defense in drug crime cases
Even when a large amount of a drug has been seized as evidence, a drug charge does not automatically lead to a conviction. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and you have a right to defend against the charge. When building a defense, the following three basic factors should be analyzed to determine… Read More »
Study: Many courtroom psychology tests are unreliable
When scientific or expert testimony is to be admitted as evidence, courts are supposed to ensure that the evidence is reasonably reliable. That means sorting out the pseudoscience from the real science. Technical evidence should not be admitted unless it involves techniques and theories that are widely accepted by the field in question. Yet… Read More »
Defendants in criminal cases often make these 3 mistakes
Whether you have been arrested or think you may be, there are steps you can take to minimize the negative consequences. However, being arrested — or simply being questioned by police — can be a very stressful situation, and often people are not thinking clearly when they speak with police officers and investigators. That… Read More »