Jacksonville Criminal Attorney Blog

Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the biggest threat to the United States according the the Department of Justice. They control most of America's drug market and have many routes across the country. It is believed that they have strong ties to gangs.

Latin gangs include the Latin Kings, Mexican Mafia, Mongols, Tango Blast, and Texas Syndicate. The Florida cities that have reported the presence of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations are Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami.

If you have been arrested for drug crimes in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Drug Lawyers at (904) 634-0900. We answer the phones 24 hours a day 7 day a week. Speak to an experienced Jacksonville Lawyer now!

More and more, we hear about prescription drug abuse and arrests in Florida. People can get non-prescribed drugs in a variety of ways:

1. Sharing of drugs with friends and family.

2. Theft from pharmacies and doctor offices.

3. Theft of prescription pads

4. Doctor-shopping, which is when a person goes from doctor to doctor with the same "ailment" in order to get a prescription for their drug of choice.

5. Internet distribution

If you have been accused of possessing prescription drugs, prescription drug fraud, or doctor-shopping in Northeast Florida, contact our Jacksonville Drug Attorneys at (904) 634-0900 to discuss your rights.

Anheuser-Busch's website, AlcoholStats.com, is devoted to providing general alcohol information as well as Driving Under the Influence information.

Some DUI statistics from 2007 in Florida are:

- Of all the traffic crashes causing death in Florida, 66% were not alcohol related.

- 6% involved a driver with a blood alcohol level between .01 and .07, below the legal limit.

- 28% involved a driver who had a blood alcohol .08 or over, which would make them legally impaired.

- There has been a 16% decline in total deaths in drunk driving crashes in Florida since 1982.

- 73% of 12-20 year-olds do not drink.

- There has been a 47% decline in total deaths in Teen drunk driving crashes in Florida since 1982.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Jacksonville, call our experienced DUI Lawyers in Jacksonville now at (904) 634-0900. You will speak to an attorney NOW!

Heroine is produced in Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and South America. According to the Department of Justice's National Drug Threat Assessment, demand for heroine in the United States is at most stable, but probably decreasing. The study found that heroine trafficking occurs mostly in eastern states. Heroine's availability in America is relatively low compared to the est of the world.

If you have been arrested on drug charges in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Drug Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

The Florida Times Union's website, www.jacksonville.com, keeps a criminal database with information on people who were arrested in Jacksonville within the last 31 days.

As of today, information about people arrested in Jacksonville is:

- 2,701men were arrested in Jacksonville

- 464 women were arrested in Jacksonville

- 2130 people in Jacksonville were charged with felonies

- 774 people in Jacksonville were charged with misdemeanors

- 90 arrests were murder-related

- 478 arrests were Burglary / Robbery related

- 79 were arrested for DUI in Jacksonville

- 50 were arrested for sexual battery / rape in Jacksonville

If you have any questions about criminal charges of if you were arrested in Jacksonville, call our experienced Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that marijuana (pot) is the most used drug in America. There are large-scale marijuana cultivation operations across the country, as well as smaller grow houses in every city. Despite all of the domestic cultivation, marijuana imported from Mexico remained high in 2008.

It is estimated that 25,085,000 people 12 and up used pot in 2007, more than prescription drug use (16,280,000) and cocaine st 5,738,000.

If you have been arrested on marijuana charges in Jacksonville, call our Marijuana Defense Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Methamphetamine, also known as speed, meth, ice, and crystal, is a drug that is gaining popularity in the United States. This drug can be made from over-the-counter decongestants. The Justice Department, in its National Drug Threat Assessment, reports that domestic meth production will increase in the next year because of "smurfing"

"Smurfing" is a method used by meth dealers to get large amounts of the chemicals by buying small quantities of the medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine at several retail locations. The traffickers also use many friends or associates to make the purchases. If they buy quantities under the legal threshold, they have a better chance at remaining undetected.

If you have any questions about criminal drug charges in Jacksonville, contact our Jacksonville Drug Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

Burglaries are up in Duval County, Clay County, and St. Johns County, according to the Florida Times Union. Burglary is when someone 'breaks" into a home or business with the intent to commit a crime once inside.

Jacksonville has about 1,000 burglaries reported a month this year. Clay County had a 2% increase and St. Johns County had a 23% rise.

JSO solves around one in 10 burglaries.

If you have been arrested for burglary in Jacksonville or anywhere in Northeast Florida, contact our experienced Burglary Lawyers in Jacksonville at (904) 634-0900 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Florida police have been increasing arrests for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) between Thanksgiving and New Year's in Jacksonville and all over Florida with the program, "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest". You may have seen the flashing signs on the highway.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 992 people were killed in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver in December last year.

If you have been arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville DUI Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

The Department of Justice (Department) claims that trafficking in cocaine is the largest drug threat to America in its most recent National Drug Threat Assessment.

According to the report, Columbia remains the biggest supplier of coca cultivation in the world. Cocaine availability went down in 2007 and early 2008 because of a crack-down in production in the country, leading to shortages in U.S. drug markets. The Department believes that the shortages in cocaine availability will continue into 2009, but demand will stay high.

If you have been arrested on cocaine charges in Jacksonville, Nassau County, Clay County, or St. Johns County, contact our Jacksonville Cocaine Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has a new tool to protect Florida's elderly population. The Silver Alert, similar to an Amber Alert for missing children, coordinates law enforcement all over Florida to respond to a missing elderly person.

The missing person:

- Must be 60 years-old or older
- Must have a deterioration of mental faculties verified by the police.

Police must determine that the person's welfare and safety are threatened.

The United States Department of Justice releases a National Drug Threat Assessment every year. The entity just released the 2009 version and it analyzes illegal drug crimes nationally and by state, including Florida.

Some statistics from the report:

- Our government has put aside more than 14 billion dollars for fighting the drug was in America.

- More than 35 million people have used illegal drugs or abused prescription drugs in 2007.

- More than 1.8 million people have been arrested for drug crimes in America.

- Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the largest crime threat to our country.

- Cocaine is rated the most dangerous drug, followed by methamphetamine, marijuana, heroine, prescribed drugs, and ecstasy.

- Marijuana potency has increased the the highest it has ever been because of higher levels of indoor grow houses.

If you have been arrested for drug crimes in Jacksonville, Nassau County, St. Johns County, or Clay County, contact our Jacksonville Drug Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

The state of Ohio will spend around 7 million dollars on the Intoxilyzer 8000, a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) breath test machine. This is the same breath test machine used in Jacksonville and all of Florida.

The Alcohol Testing Program within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is responsible for regulating the operation, registration, and inspecting of these machines. The reliability and accuracy of the machines is very important because the results are used against the person arrested for DUI in Jacksonville and all of Florida. If your blood alcohol level, as shown by your blow into the machine, is .08 or higher, there is an automatic presumption that you are impaired by alcohol. This presumption can be challenged by other evidence, such as your performance on the field sobriety exercises.

If you have been arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Jacksonville or anywhere in Northeast Florida, call our Jacksonville DUI Attorneys immediately at (904) 634-0900. We answer our phones 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You will NOT get an answering machine. You will speak to a Jacksonville Attorney.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation keeps a national registry and all 50 states also have their own. In Florida, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the sex offender registry. Every person convicted of a sex crime in Jacksonville and all of Florida must register. Their names, addresses, and pictures are available to the public 24 hours a day.

There are very strict rules about when and how the person has to register. The problem with this system is it is not equipped to handle homeless offenders. The police will not allow someone to register as "homeless" with no address, but will also then arrest the person for not registering. Often, these people also have mental problems that prevent them from understanding what exactly they must do. The Florida Legislature and police must come up with a solution that is fair to everyone.

If you or someone you know is being investigated or has been arrested for a sex crime in Northeast Florida, contact our experienced Jacksonville Sex Crimes Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

A police officer in Palm Beach County, Florida was arrested on December 13th for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Lieutenant Phillip Griffith was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol and was later released on his own recognizance. (ROR)

Palm Beach County includes Belle Glade, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Springs, Palm Beach, and West Palm Beach.

If you have any questions about DUI charges in Jacksonville, call our Northeast Florida DUI Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

In Jacksonville and all of Florida, a citizen can file for an Injunction if they are a victim of repeat violence.

"Repeat Violence" means there were at least 2 incidents of violence or stalking committed by someone, one of which happened in the last 6 months of the filing.

"Violence" is defined as any

Assault
Aggravated assault
Battery
Aggravated Battery
Stalking
Aggravated Stalking
Kidnapping
False Imprisonment
Any criminal offense which causes physical injury

If you have any questions about an injunction in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Injunction Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

In Florida and all over the country, the general public wants people accused of crimes locked up with few questions asked. As a result, prisons are overcrowded in already tight quarters.

According to the Justice Department, the number of inmates in Florida went up by 5,250 in 2007. The state is preparing for the increase by having tents on hand to shelter the excess inmates.

If Florida uses the tents, it joins other states, including Arizona, which puts inmates in tents.

With the number of police shootings in Jacksonville rising by the day, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office does not want a citizen's review board. They claim the process will become political and that the shooting review now is driven by evidence.

Evidence from officers, by officers, reviewed by fellow officers.

As a Jacksonville Criminal Lawyer, I believe at the very least, there needs to be more media coverage of the existing review board. The police say it is open to the public, but the hearings are held on Wednesday mornings and you have to go through security at the Jacksonville Police Memorial Building stating the reason you are there. Many citizens of Jacksonville are working on Wednesday mornings, making it hard for them to come downtown.

Why not broadcast the review hearing live? Jacksonville police have claimed that the coverage will make the police officers nervous while testifying. Nervous? If they are telling the truth about what happened, what is there to be nervous about? Police officers go into the field every day having to make life or death decisions. Testifying at a hearing will break them?

The majority of police shootings may be justified, but it is hard to believe there has NEVER been an unjustified police shooting in Jacksonville.

When you are arrested in Jacksonville or anywhere in Duval County, you will be taken to the pretrial detention facility. There you will be processed and booked.

If you have been arrested for a felony in Jacksonville, you must go before a judge that next morning or afternoon. The judge will determine what bond is appropriate for you or will release you on your own recognizance (ROR).

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor in Jacksonville, if it is not a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or Domestic Battery, the jail may set your bond and you may bond out of jail before you have to go before a judge.

If you have any questions about your rights after being arrested in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Recently, Plaxico Burress was arrested in New York for criminal possession of a weapon. It has been reported that he did have a Florida Concealed Weapons Permit. The only problem is, Burress was in New York.

Only certain states recognize Florida's permit to carry handguns or pistols in their area. They are:

1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. Colorado
6. Delaware
7. Georgia
8. Idaho
9. Indiana
10. Kansas
11. Kentucky
12. Louisiana
13. Michigan
14. Mississippi
15. Missouri
16. Montana
17. Nevada
18. New Hampshire
19. New Mexico
20. North Carolina
21. North Dakota
22. Ohio
23. Oklahoma
24. Pennsylvania
25. South Carolina
26. South Dakota
27. Tennessee
28. Texas
29. Utah
30. Vermont
31. Virginia
32. West Virginia
33. Wyoming

When you have the permit in Florida, you can carry concealed "weapons". That includes guns, knives, clubs, and tasers. In the states that recognize the Florida license, the permit extends to firearms only.

For more information on the rules regulating concealed weapons permits, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

If you have any questions about gun crimes in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Clay County, Nassau County, and St. Johns County, please contact our Jacksonville Gun Crimes Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Not only do you have to worry about someone stealing your identity, but you also have to watch your child's. The Florida Attorney General's Office has had around 200 reported cases involving children identity theft since 2002. You should check your child's credit report for any activity. It is believed that in many cases, the child's parent or parents are involved in the theft.

For more information about identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Jacksonville's University of North Florida just completed "Operation Bad Trip", which was a 4 month long investigation into drug dealing on campus. Eight students were arrested for sale of pills, sale of acid, possession of marijuana, and cultivation of marijuana.

This investigation relied heavily on "confidental informants" They are people working with police and they are used to set up others in drug deals. UNF has had 38 drug arrestes and incidents this year. In 2007, there were 53.

If you have any questions about drug charges in Jacksonville, call our experienced Jacksonville Drug Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Many criminal law firms claim they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but when you call them, you get an answering service.

At The Forbess Law Firm, you will speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at any time of day or night, seven days a week. That is our commitment to the citizens of Jacksonville who have been accused of a crime.

Our Jacksonville criminal attorneys represent those accused of crimes in Northeast Florida, including Duval County, Clay County, Nassau County, and St. Johns County.

Both the city of Jacksonville and Clay County are putting up billboards up in their counties telling criminals they will be caught if they commit crimes in either county. Both Sheriff Rutherford and Sheriff Beseler have cooperated to tackle the crime problem, telling would-be criminals if you commit a crime in Jacksonville and flee to Clay County, you will be caught by either department.

There was a concern that when Jacksonville started coming down hard on crime, criminals would spill over into Clay County. Both sheriffs are determined to reduce crime in both areas, with a "police without borders" concept.

The jail located in Downtown Jacksonville is called the Pretrial Detention Facility. The jail employs 686 corrections officers and other personnel. The 12 story facility was opened in 1991 and houses a maximum of 2189 inmates.

The inmates cannot smoke, there is no coffee, and no television. The inmates do get to play basketball at recreation time. Inmates can become a "Trusty", which gives them access to different parts of the jail to perform work duties. Becoming a Trusty can allow the inmate to earn "gain time", which reduces the time they are incarcerated.

If you have any questions about someone who is in jail in Jacksonville, Clay County, St. Johns County, or Nassau County, call our Jacksonville Criminal Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving State Progress Report, Florida ranks #9 among all 50 states in drunk driving related deaths.

The Report lists Florida among the states with the lowest percentage of deaths due to DUI. In Florida 27.7% of deaths are related to DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and there were 890 DUI deaths in Florida in 2007.

If you have any questions about a DUI arrest in Jacksonville, call our experienced Duval County DUI Lawyers at (904) 634-0900.

If you are convicted of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) for the first time in Jacksonville, Florida, there is a minimum punishment called the DUI First Minimums.

At a minimum, you will be placed on 6 months probation to do the following:

- Perform 50 hours of community service.

- Complete DUI school.

- Complete the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel

- Lose your license for 6 months if you blew into the intoxilyzer or if you refused, 1 year.

- Impound your car for 10 days.

- Pay a fine.

A DUI carries a mandatory adjudication. That means that for the rest of your life, you will have been convicted of a crime. At a maximum, you could receive 6 months in jail on a first DUI. Any DUI, even a first, carries significant consequences and should be looked at by an experienced DUI lawyer.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Jacksonville, Clay County, St. Johns County, or Nassau County, contact our Jacksonville DUI Lawyers at (904) 634-0900 today!

Technology is making it easier for police to track down the real suspects in crimes all over the United States. DNA evidence has exonerated many people wrongly accused and convicted of crimes.

The state of Florida has the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to handle DNA detection. The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) was started in 1990 and is FDLE's DNA database. DNA can be used in many criminal cases in Florida, but it is utilized mostly in burglaries, murders, and rapes.

In Florida, if you are convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, you have to submit your DNA to this database. At the conclusion of your criminal case in Jacksonville, if you are convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, your cheek will be swabbed in court and the swab will be sent to FDLE to store your DNA.

If you or someone you know is charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Felony and Misdemeanor Attorneys 24 hours a day at (904) 634-0900. You will speak to an experienced lawyer now.

Until the past few months, if you went to the Police Memorial Building in downtown Jacksonville to buy an arrest and booking report, the charge was $5.00. It had been that way for years and no one questioned the price until recently. After news stories about the fees for public records, the price drastically down to 15 cents per page. (the average arrest and booking report in Jacksonville is 4 pages) The government can only charge a "reasonable" fee for public records and JSO's price clearly was not reasonable.

ANYONE can request public records from the government. You should not have to show identification, state your reason for the request, or put your request in written form. If you have any questions about requesting public records from JSO or any other government agency, contact the First Amendment Foundation.

If you are ever in the Duval County Courthouse and enter a criminal courtroom, you will almost always see a person sitting in the pews holding someone's hand. These people are called victim advocates. They are employed by the State Attorney's Office and have a specific job description.

They help these victims and their families throughout the legal process. These victim advocates contact alleged victims of crime and their families in Jacksonville. The victim advocates help them find services, such as counseling, and maintain in personal contact with them while the defendant's case makes its way through the system.

If you have been arrested on criminal charges and the prosecutor has filed certain criminal charges against you, you have options. You can fight your case and take it to trial. You can also "plea to the charges".

When you enter a plea, such as plea guilty or plea no contest, your case is essentially over. You can either plea directly to the judge or accept a negotiated sentence with the prosecutor. If you have entered a plea, you have certain options.

You can choose to appeal the sentence the judge gives you within 30 days of being sentenced. You always have this right, but the only basis it can be successfully appealed is if the sentence is "illegal". The judge almost always will sentence you to a legal sentence.

You can also try to get a sentence reduction. A competent Jacksonville Criminal Attorney can file a motion to reduce your sentence. There has to be a significant change in circumstances for a motion of this type to be granted.

If you have any questions about sentence reductions in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Criminal Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.