On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Oct 7, 2020 | Criminal Defense
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...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Sep 30, 2020 | Criminal Defense
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,...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Jul 22, 2020 | Criminal Defense
Most people keep a massive amount of personal information on their phones, and evidence taken from cellphones is increasingly used in criminal investigations. However, your phone is your property, and police can’t just take your phone from you in any given...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Jul 15, 2020 | Criminal Defense
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...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Jul 8, 2020 | Criminal Defense
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...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Jun 1, 2020 | Criminal Defense
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides for multiple rights and protections for people accused of crimes. One of the most crucial aspects of the Sixth Amendment guarantees you the right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury. However, a speedy...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | May 1, 2020 | Criminal Defense
With any criminal conviction, there is the chance of probation as part of sentencing. Probation often serves as an alternative to jail time and may be applied to minor crimes or felonies. However, there are serious consequences when anyone violates their probation,...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Apr 9, 2020 | Criminal Defense
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that anything you say to a law enforcement officer may be used against you or others. You have the constitutional right to remain silent. You should not lie to government authorities, but you can remain silent...
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Mar 23, 2020 | Criminal Defense
When a judge grants a search warrant, it allows police to search for evidence of a crime. The warrant must state the specific place to be searched, as well as the items to be seized. In other words, a search warrant does not give police unlimited permission to search....
On behalf of Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. | Mar 4, 2020 | Criminal Defense
In many criminal investigations, undercover police officers and informants are used to gather evidence to build a case. However, when an informant or undercover cop entices a person to commit a crime, the actions of law enforcement may amount to entrapment. What does...
