Miami Criminal Defense Insights
Aggressive representation for DUI, Domestic Violence, Gun Crimes & more
Drivers often ask whether it is legal for police officers to stop them on whim and check their driver’s licenses. The answer is that like all police stops, there must be ‘probable cause’ that the driver has being doing something wrong. In other words, the officer who stops you and asks to see your license […]
If you were stopped by a police officer because he/ she said that there was a visible crack in your vehicle’s windshield, the stop may have been illegal. That means that anything the officer discovered during that stop may not be admissible in court if the officer decides that you had committed any other crime […]
The internet has opened up a can of worms when it comes to some types of crime. Communication with a minor could be misinterpreted as an arrangement to meet up to have sex. This is a very serious crime in Florida and if convicted, could lead to up to 15 years in prison. Even worse, […]
Shoplifting is sometimes called the “Five Finger Discount,” and in the public perception has a reputation as a minor crime. Young people often steal things from big stores as a dare. Older people just steal because they think they can get away with it, or they are poor. As a category of theft it is […]
Florida has finally caught up with the rest of the U.S. as far as legislation on texting and driving is concerned. Law enforcement officers can now stop or pull over a driver who they see is texting and driving and issue them with a warning. Until January 1st next year, those warnings, however many you […]
Possession of marijuana in Florida is a crime. The law may have changed in some other parts of the U.S., but it hasn’t here. If you are stopped by a police officer and s/he discovers you are in possession of a quantity of marijuana, it is likely that you will be arrested for possession. You […]
Interactions with police officers can be intimidating, even if you have nothing to feel guilty about. Police officers are trained to exert their authority and often act as if they have the power to make you do what they want you to do. There are circumstances in which it is important to know that as […]
Distracted driving has been around as long as driving itself, but evidence suggests it has gotten steadily worse. In fact, distracted driving has become a problem of plague proportions. Records collected by the National Highway Transportation Safety Authority (NHTSA) reveal that nearly 40,000 Americans are killed every year, with about 16% of those caused by […]
If you have been given a speeding ticket in Florida by a law enforcement officer, you can fight it with the help of a traffic ticket attorney like Miami based Albert Quirantes, Esq. You cannot be convicted of a speeding offence if the way your speed was detected was inaccurate. Florida uses 5 different ways […]
If you get a speeding ticket and decide to fight it, you are better off hiring a ticket lawyer like Miami based Albert Quirantes, Esq. to help you. Some people think it is not worth the cost of hiring a lawyer and decide to represent themselves. Here are three good reasons why this is not […]
The legal status of cannabis possession has slowly been changing around the U.S. and elsewhere in the western world, so if you travel a lot it’s possible you may not be aware whether accepting a joint is illegal or not . If you are in a social gathering and are offered a joint, you do […]
It may seem quite old fashioned in modern America that soliciting somebody to take part in a sexual act is illegal but this is the case in Florida, one of the strictest states in the country. Solicitation is defined as requesting or ordering another person to carry out a crime and in this case soliciting […]
Getting your record sealed or expunged is not as easy as you might think. The first key requirement is typically having a valid “Certificate of Eligibility,” or COE. If you don’t have this document which you can get from the Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement (FDLE) you can’t pursue the matter any further. This takes […]
No one likes to pay too much for safe, comfortable accommodation while on vacation if they can help it. With the rise in prices of hotels, private home owners have been increasingly taking advantage of a gap in the market for tourists or travelers who don’t always need the privacy of a self contained motel. […]
Many states are trying to avoid jailing people for minor offenses, as the results of such actions can determine the role played by that person for the rest of his/her life. However, Miami Beach sees this differently and has been taking steps to hire a prosecutor to pursue anyone who is caught violating the city’s […]
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 […]
Staged accidents are a growing problem in Florida, especially in areas like Miami. These fraudulent schemes are designed to exploit the state’s no-fault insurance system, allowing criminals to collect large sums of money while leaving innocent drivers, insurance companies, and society as a whole to bear the consequences. The Scope of Staged Accidents in Miami […]
Florida is a state known for its rich biodiversity, especially in areas like Miami and the Florida Keys. The state’s waters are home to a variety of fish species, including snappers, groupers, and lobsters, which are popular among recreational and commercial fishers. However, with this abundance of marine life comes a responsibility to adhere to […]
Soliciting prostitution is a serious offense in the state of Florida, carrying severe penalties and long-term consequences. In Miami, where law enforcement agencies actively combat prostitution-related activities, individuals accused of this crime face not only legal repercussions but also significant social and personal stigma. This article will explore the Florida statutes prohibiting soliciting prostitution, the […]