ARRESTED? INVESTIGATED?
ARRESTADO? INVESTIGADO?
Miami Criminal Defense Insights
Aggressive representation for DUI, Domestic Violence, Gun Crimes & more
Florida Just Rewrote These Traffic Laws, and Most Drivers Have No Idea Most people think of a traffic stop as a fine and a bad afternoon. In Florida, that’s changed. Starting October 1, 2025, several traffic behaviors that used to mean a ticket, or a minor misdemeanor at worst, can now mean a felony and […]
Your Probation Officer Filed a Violation. Here’s What Actually Happens Next A probation violation in Florida is serious. But a lot of what you’ll read online about it is either outdated or scarier than the law actually is. Here’s the real picture. First, Take a Breath If you just found out a violation was filed, […]
Caught With Drugs in Florida for the First Time? You Might Not Realize How Many Options You Actually Have Prison isn’t the only outcome. But only if you know about these programs before you walk into court. The Charge That Feels Like the End of Everything A drug charge in Florida has a way of […]
Arrested for DUI in Florida? Here’s What Happens in Your First 10 Days You didn’t see this coming. Maybe you had a couple of drinks at dinner and felt fine, then saw the lights in your mirror. Maybe it was a checkpoint on the causeway. Either way, once those handcuffs go on, a clock starts […]
Domestic Violence Charges in Miami: The System Is Already Working Against You Before You Say a Word Even if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges, it may not matter. Here’s the truth. One Phone Call. That’s All It Takes. In Miami-Dade County, domestic violence calls don’t get handled like other calls. The moment […]
Florida Has a Law That Can Wipe Your Criminal Record Clean, and Almost Nobody Knows About It You applied for a job you were more than qualified for. No callback. You applied for an apartment you could easily afford. Denied. You went for a professional license and got flagged. Same reason every time: a background […]
Florida has officially taken a hard stance on crime, and the consequences are immediate and severe. Governor Ron DeSantis has signed multiple laws that will dramatically impact how serious criminal cases are handled across the state. If you or someone you know is accused of certain crimes, everything just changed. THIS IS NOT A SMALL […]
Florida has passed a new law that will significantly change how driver’s licenses are issued starting January 1, 2027. Under this law, all Florida driver’s licenses and identification cards will include a designation reflecting the holder’s citizenship or legal status. While this may seem like a simple administrative update, it has serious implications, especially for […]
If you are being stopped by the police in Miami, Florida, what you do in the first few seconds can determine the outcome of your entire case. Whether it is a traffic stop, DUI investigation, or criminal investigation, knowing your rights is critical. At CriminalDefendant.com, we have been defending clients for over 35 years and […]
If you are driving 100 miles per hour or more, regardless of the posted speed limit, you are now subject to arrest. That means being taken to jail or having to bond out. Likewise, if you are driving 50 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, the result is the same: arrest, […]
It’s a question more and more people are asking: Can someone secretly record me in a grocery store, post it on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and get away with it? With smartphones everywhere and social media turning everyday moments into viral content, many Floridians are shocked to discover themselves online without permission, without warning, and […]
Florida has enacted a significant change to its license-plate laws, and every driver needs to understand the consequences. As of October 1, 2025, under House Bill 253 and the amendment to Florida Statute 320.061, it is now a criminal offense for any object to block, cover, distort, or even slightly obscure any portion of a […]
If you or a loved one has been labeled as a sex offender in Florida, one of the most pressing questions is: Where can I live? In Miami-Dade County, residency restrictions are some of the strictest in the nation. The rules can be confusing between local ordinances and state law, and the consequences for violating […]
Road rage is a significant and dangerous problem on Florida’s roadways. With the state’s rapidly growing population, frequent tourism, and often congested highways, the potential for road rage incidents is higher than ever. Road rage, broadly defined, includes aggressive driving behaviors motivated by anger or frustration with other road users. These behaviors can range from […]
Florida is known for its conservative stance on law and order, reflected in its approach to theft. Unlike in some states where minor theft might be treated with leniency, Florida imposes severe penalties for those convicted of petty theft. You are mistaken if you believe you can steal and escape punishment in Florida. The state’s […]
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, […]
