Having your safety threatened so much that it compels you to take someone's life is an experience most people cannot relate to. It can be traumatic. Having homicide charges thrown at you on top of that trauma can only make things worse. Fortunately, Florida offers...
Felonies
Why you should talk with an attorney before you talk to police
If you are facing arrest or law enforcement interrogation, you may feel you have no other option than to cooperate. By doing so, you may think that you will protect yourself against an unfavorable outcome. Yet, talking with officers or investigators can put you at...
Voting rights for felons in question once again
A federal trial began this week over felons’ voting rights in Florida. Two years ago, the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative allowed many felons to regain the right to vote. This “Amendment 4” garnered more than sufficient support among Floridians to...
What are the pros and cons of pleading no contest?
Many people view the potential pleas in a criminal case as binary: guilty or not guilty. In reality, there is a third option for an accused individual. They could file a plea of no contest. What does a no contest plea actually mean for someone facing criminal charges?...
Tips to getting the right people on your jury
If you are facing criminal charges, there is a high likelihood that your case will never go to trial. Your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped. You may come to a plea deal with the prosecution. However, if none of these options are realistic for you, then...
The myth of the lie detector test: why you don’t have to worry
The lie detector test – also known as the polygraph test – has been around for decades. Soon after it was released onto the market, the validity of the test’s results fell under scrutiny.A 2003 report by the National Research Council found that there is little...
Tips for starting your career with a criminal record
Nowadays, many companies require mandatory background checks for every new job applicant. If you have a criminal record, this could create obstacles for you in getting hired – regardless of whether you were convicted. It’s a system that makes it difficult for many...
How U.S. law makes it easy to become a felon
It’s easy for people to think of felons as “bad people” who did something wrong and deserve to be punished. But U.S. criminal law is more complicated than you might think. Many people get convicted of a felony for doing something they had no idea was even illegal....
Do all ex-cons in Florida have voting rights?
Florida voters made a choice in November 2018 that affected more than 1 million other Floridians. They voted to approve Amendment 4, which gave Floridians with felony convictions the right to vote. This did not apply to felons with murder or sexual offense...
Ignition interlock devices can cause distracted driving
Many states, including Florida, require certain people convicted of a DUI to use ignition interlock devices in their cars. These devices make drivers test their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) with a breath test before being able to start the vehicle. While many...