Miami Criminal Defense Insights
Aggressive representation for DUI, Domestic Violence, Gun Crimes & more
Some people think that getting a traffic ticket for some offenses is trivial and may delay doing anything about it or ignore it altogether. If you are traveling out of your home state, you may think that you can get away with not paying a fine. The chances are that for many traffic violations a […]
Even though there are millions of people throughout the country who dedicate both their lives and money to pets and also use animals as a means of making a living, this doesn’t mean animal cruelty doesn’t exist. Unfortunately, it does. Florida has harsh penalties for anyone caught overdriving, overloading, killing, mutilating or depriving an animal […]
Sometimes, crazy people do crazy things. Even if you were sleepwalking and committed a crime, this may be considered “temporary insanity” and you could have the charge against you dismissed. Sane people who know throughout their actions that what they are doing is wrong and is against the law are unlikely to get away with […]
Graffiti is many things to many people, but if it involves spraying paint on to other people’s property without their consent, it could be considered a crime. If your teenage son or daughter or even you yourself have been caught allegedly decorating the side of a store, a wall, a train or anything else that […]
Cannabis laws are changing all over the U.S., but nowhere is it legal to drive while stoned (DWS). If your driving is erratic, you could be stopped by a law enforcement officer and asked questions about your driving and in particular if you have been drinking or taking drugs. You could be asked to perform […]
It happens to everyone at some point in their lives. They find some money or an item that seems to have been left behind somewhere on their travels. Can they keep it? Is the saying “finders keepers, losers weepers” legally sound? As with a lot of law, it all depends on the exact circumstances. At […]
It can be a frightening and worrying experience if you have just been arrested for the first time, especially if you don’t believe you committed a crime. The first thing you should do is to ensure you have good representation by an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney. If you have been arrested for any […]
If you believe that you can make a difference and vote in an election, whether it is for the U.S. President, or for the state Senate or Congress, the fact that you have a criminal conviction could affect you. Until recently, convicted felons, i.e. those people who had served their terms in prison, yet had […]
Every American theoretically has the right to hold and bear arms. This is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. The right is not as universal as some may think as it doesn’t extend to those who have been convicted of a felony, even when they have been released from prison. Until recently, the right […]
Stalking is a crime in Florida, as it is in all other states. If convicted, it could mean imprisonment, fines and other longer term effects that could impact on your family, job and career prospects. You could be accused of stalking by someone you didn’t even know, or it could be an ex partner or […]
You could face imprisonment if you are found in possession of stolen property. Penalties for possession of stolen property are in proportion to the value of the goods that have been alleged to have been stolen. If you have been accused or arrested for possession of stolen property you will need aggressive representation by an […]
If you take any type of medication prescribed by your physician, you need to know whether taking it regularly can affect your driving ability. Even if you have proof that your medication was approved by a doctor, it won’t help if you are stopped by a police officer who then goes on to arrest you […]
What’s the difference between possession of a drug like marijuana or cocaine and trafficking it? To begin with, the amount is important. Also, the intent, i.e. what you were intending to do with the drug. The third main difference is the penalties if you are convicted. The penalties, including minimum prison sentences, are much more […]
Shootings of individuals or groups are becoming more and more frequent across the country. When such an incident is announced on the news the immediate reaction is that it’s an act of terrorism. Of course not all mass shootings are acts of terrorism and federal law does have a method of determining whether a shooting […]
In Florida, it’s a crime to assist anybody who has been involved in committing a crime. Aiding and abetting as a charge can’t take place unless the crime has been affirmed as having taken place. The person accused of assisting a criminal is called an accessory, and doesn’t actually have to be a witness to […]
A 17-year-old accused in a September 1 shooting at the Aquabella apartment complex in Hialeah appeared in adult bond court on Wednesday after prosecutors moved the case out of juvenile court. According to police, several young people had gathered to settle a dispute with a physical fight when shots were fired. No injuries were reported. […]
A Miami-Dade judge this week denied bond to a 33-year-old man arrested on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, along with drug charges, after a delivery driver was allegedly shot and pistol-whipped at an apartment complex near Dadeland early Monday morning. According to the arrest report, the driver was grazed […]
Dashcam video released this week shows a van striking the back of a stopped Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office cruiser near Northwest 32nd Avenue and 79th Street. According to the arrest report, the 72-year-old driver then tried to hide an open alcohol container, and deputies ended the field sobriety exercises for his safety. He is charged with […]
Florida Driver Reportedly Had a .377 Alcohol Level: What a High BAC Means for Your DUI Case By Albert Quirantes, Esq. A recent Florida DUI arrest made headlines after a driver reportedly registered a blood alcohol concentration of .377, nearly five times Florida’s .08 threshold. That number gets attention. But as a criminal defense attorney, […]
What Is a Second-Degree Misdemeanor in Florida? A second-degree misdemeanor is Florida’s lowest misdemeanor classification. That does not make it a civil infraction or something that should be ignored. The charge can lead to jail, probation, a fine, and a criminal court record. It may also appear on background checks and create problems involving employment, […]
What Is a First-Degree Misdemeanor in Florida? A first-degree misdemeanor is the most serious misdemeanor classification under Florida law. It is not a felony, but it can still result in county jail, probation, a fine, and a criminal record that creates problems long after the court case ends. Common examples include simple battery, petit theft […]
What Is a Third-Degree Felony in Florida? A third-degree felony is Florida’s lowest felony classification, but the word “lowest” should not be confused with minor. A conviction can result in state prison, probation, a $5,000 fine, and a permanent felony record. It can also affect employment, professional licenses, housing, immigration status, and the right to […]
What Is a Second-Degree Felony in Florida? A second-degree felony is punishable by as much as 15 years in Florida State Prison. That makes it a serious criminal charge, even for someone who has never been arrested before. Examples include aggravated battery, manslaughter, vehicular homicide, unarmed burglary of a dwelling, certain theft and exploitation offenses, […]