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 […]
What Is a First-Degree Felony in Florida? A first-degree felony is one of Florida’s most serious criminal classifications. For an ordinary first-degree felony, the maximum sentence is 30 years in state prison. That does not mean every person charged with one will receive 30 years. The actual exposure depends on the offense, the Criminal Punishment […]
What Is a First-Degree Felony Punishable by Life in Florida? A first-degree felony punishable by life is one of the most misunderstood classifications in Florida criminal law. It is not technically a life felony. It remains classified as a first-degree felony, but the statute defining the offense allows the judge to impose a sentence of […]
Florida’s transportation law changes take effect October 1, 2026. One change is already prompting questions from drivers: the amount of apparent property damage that triggers an immediate duty to notify law enforcement after a crash rises from $500 to $2,000. The change is part of Senate Bill 488, Chapter 2026-39. The new threshold appears in […]
What Is a Life Felony in Florida? A life felony is one of the most serious criminal charges Florida law recognizes. It does not expose a defendant to the death penalty, but it does permit a judge to impose a sentence of life in prison. That distinction matters. When someone is charged with a life […]
What Does a Capital Felony Mean in Florida? Florida law places capital felonies in a category of their own. They are not scored and sentenced like ordinary felonies under the Criminal Punishment Code. A conviction can expose an adult defendant to life imprisonment without parole and, in a case where the State Attorney seeks it, […]
The Parent’s Guide to a Juvenile Arrest in Florida A free resource from Albert Quirantes, Esq. Criminal DUI & Ticket Lawyers If your child has been arrested, this guide will help you understand what is happening and what to do next. Keep this page handy, and call us anytime. 1. Take a Breath. Then Take […]
Florida’s July 1, 2026 Criminal Laws: What Changed in Miami-Dade Cases Florida’s new laws took effect on July 1, 2026, and several of them have a direct impact on criminal cases. More than 100 laws took effect that day. Most have nothing to do with criminal defense. But three changes stand out if you are […]
Florida Veterans Can Now Seek Treatment Court Without Prosecutor Approval A new Florida law changed who gets the final say when a veteran asks to enter Veterans Treatment Court. Since July 1, 2026, a prosecutor can still weigh in on the request, but the prosecutor no longer has the power to approve or reject eligibility […]