Miami Criminal Defense Insights
Aggressive representation for DUI, Domestic Violence, Gun Crimes & more
Getting your criminal record expunged or sealed is never an easy task. You probably assume that once you have completed all the paperwork and had it approved that that will be the end of the matter. It seems that it’s not as simple as that as there are some unscrupulous businesses preying on vulnerable people […]
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles put out a new ad earlier this year to try and stem the number of crashes that take place when drivers are stoned. ‘Drive Baked, Get Busted’ it says, but how easy really is it for police to spot a ‘baked’ driver and how easy really […]
Aggravated assault in Florida is a serious criminal act. Under Florida Stat. §784.021 anyone convicted of aggravated assault, a felony crime in the third degree, can be jailed for up to five years and pay a fine of up to $5,000. But what exactly is aggravated assault? What makes assault ‘aggravated’ and are there any […]
Pinellas County’s Attorney General has decided to settle on a manslaughter charge against the killer of Markeis McGlockton, Michael Drejka, but it is expected that Drejka’s attorneys will probably use Florida’s 2005 ‘stand your ground’ legislation to defend him. Drejka was involved in a deadly altercation in a car park outside a Clearwater convenience store […]
Probation is a way of avoiding jail if you have entered a plea of guilty or no contest or have been convicted of a crime in Florida. Generally, probation is granted to people who have a good attorney, are not considered dangerous and have up to that point had a clean record. If you violate […]
It’s an easy thing to happen. You got into an argument with someone in a bar who was annoying you. There wasn’t any violence, but the bar manager told you to leave. Fair enough. You weren’t keen on staying anyway. But then you find you left your wallet behind at the bar and go back […]
You may have have been arrested for criminal possession and are wondering just how you could have been charged when you didn’t have the items in your possession at the time. We at the law offices of Albert Quirantes – your Miami Criminal Defense Lawyers, can explain how the law works and how we can […]
Street racing, or drag racing, as it is also called, is a crime in Florida if it takes place on a public highway. What many people don’t realize is that it’s not just an offense to drive a car in a street race. You can be charged for being a passenger in a car that […]
You hear the term ‘assault and battery’ used frequently and may think that they are somehow stuck together, or they are just two different words used for the same sort of crime. In fact, in Florida, the two terms describe two separate but related criminal acts. Someone can be accused of carrying out an assault […]
The Stand Your Ground Law made headlines in Florida when it came into force on October 1st 2005, but even today many ordinary residents in the state are ignorant of what exactly this allows a person to do when confronted with a potentially violent situation. The various stand your ground laws and castle doctrine laws […]
It’s never right to take something that doesn’t belong to you, but some shoplifting crimes are worse than others and some people are addicted to the thrill of stealing, even if they don’t really even need anything! The new self-check out registers are contributing to rise in shoplifting cases. A Walmart employee helped save his […]
Knowingly driving while on a suspended drivers license in Florida punishable by an arrest and a potential jail term. DWLS with knowledge can be either a misdemeanor which is punishable up to a year in jail or a felony which can be punishable by over a year in jail. Even unknowingly driving on a suspended […]
Have you ever wondered why you hear well known people making outrageous comments that may not seem to match their usual viewpoint, especially if they appear on well known publicly accessed social media sites? An incident happened some weeks ago following the re-launch of ‘Roseanne’ the popular 1990s sitcom. The leading character, Roseanne Barr, was […]
People get arrested in Miami every day for a variety of reasons. If you have been arrested in Florida, how it will impact your life will typically depend on the seriousness of the alleged offense you have committed. You are entitled to be represented by a Miami criminal defense attorney of your choice, who willargue […]
If you have been caught shoplifting in Miami because you have been found in possession of a product you haven’t paid for outside of a store, this could be a serious matter. Your case could be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Many stores these days won’t just let you off after an apology […]
In an era where digital footprints are as significant as physical ones, computer hacking has emerged as a formidable crime, drawing severe penalties in Florida and across the nation. Hacking—the unauthorized access to or manipulation of computer systems, networks, or data—can lead to criminal charges that carry the potential for substantial prison time, highlighting the […]
In the realm of personal relationships, words can sometimes wield as much power as actions. In Florida, the law acknowledges this by recognizing that verbal abuse can indeed constitute a form of domestic violence, especially when it inflicts significant emotional or psychological harm. This legal perspective underscores the importance of understanding the boundary between heated […]
As states across the nation increasingly embrace the legalization of marijuana, both for medical and recreational purposes, the landscape of cannabis law continues to evolve. However, in Florida, the line remains clearly drawn: while medical marijuana has found legal footing, recreational use continues to be prohibited. This discrepancy between state laws creates a complex legal […]
In Florida, the sun-kissed streets and highways can be a backdrop for not just picturesque drives but also, unfortunately, reckless driving incidents. Defined by a wanton disregard for safety, reckless driving in the Sunshine State isn’t just a minor traffic violation—it’s a criminal offense that can lead to significant penalties, including jail time. The law […]
A recent case outside Florida has underscored the serious consequences that can arise from making violent threats online. A 20-year-old man from Michigan received a prison sentence of 12 months and a day for using social media to issue threats against Jewish people. This sentence, while shorter than the nearly three-year term sought by prosecutors, […]
Being stopped by a police officer in Florida can be a stressful experience, whether it’s for a routine traffic violation or something more serious. Knowing how to navigate this situation can make a significant difference in the outcome. While cooperation is key, it’s equally important to understand your rights, particularly when it comes to speaking […]
Finding yourself in a traffic stop is stressful enough, but the stakes are significantly higher if you’re unaware that a passenger is carrying cocaine or any illegal substance. In Miami, Florida, as in the rest of the U.S., the ramifications of being found with controlled substances can be severe. Here’s how to navigate this precarious […]
An indictment marks a significant phase in the criminal justice process, signaling the formal charge of a serious crime. In Florida, understanding the steps following an indictment is crucial for navigating the legal system effectively and preparing for what lies ahead. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the process and what individuals can expect after being […]