Jacksonville Criminal Attorney Blog

Former Jacksonville Jaguar, Jimmy Smith, has entered a no contest plea to DUI and Possession of Marijuana in Jacksonville. Smith was sentenced to 12 months probation to perform the standard first DUI minimum conditions. They are:

50 hours of community service
DUI School Level 1
Attend and Complete the Victim Impact Panel
180 day driver's license revocation
10 day motor vehicle impound
Pay a fine

Smith was also arrested, after the DUI arrest, for possession of crack, pot, and drug paraphernalia in Jacksonville as well as driving on a suspended license. Those criminal charges are still pending in Jacksonville.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorneys at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Drug Law Firm is available 24 hours a day.

Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville, Police Chief is being investigated for inappropriate behavior toward a female. Michael Classey denies any harassment, but the woman claims Classey would find her wherever she was in the department.

If you have been arrested in Atlantic Beach, call our Jacksonville Beaches Criminal Defense Law Firm at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorneys are available 24 hours a day for a free consultation.

There has been much debate about legalizing gambling in Florida. There is actually Florida law about gambling and bookmaking. To be convicted of Bookmaking, you have to:

1. Engage in Gambling

2. While engaged in Gambling, you took a bet.

3. The bet was on contest of skill, power, speed, or endurance. (sports)

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Law Firm at (904) 634-0900.

If you deliver drugs to a child and are arrested in Florida, you could be facing 30 years in prison. In order to commit the crime of Delivery to or Use of a Minor, you must:

1. Deliver, or transfer, the illegal drug to someone under 18 years-old.

2. The substance has to be a controlled substance.

3. You were an adult at the time.

Drug crimes are complex and you need a serious Jacksonville Drug Lawyer to protect your rights. Call our Jacksonville Drug Law Firm today for a free consultation at (904) 634-0900.

In Jacksonville, if you are arrested for possessing or selling drugs in certain places, the penalties you face could be higher. In Florida, you could be facing more prison time if you have drugs within 1000 feet of:

A child care facility

Any elementary, middle, secondary school between 6:00 a.m. and midnight

A public housing facility

A college

A park

A church

A convenience store

If you have pending drug charges in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Drug Attorneys at (904) 634-0900. Our Drug Law Firm in Jacksonville is available 24 hours a day for a free consultation.

We have all heard of "trafficking" in drugs, but what does that really mean? When we hear trafficking, we think you have to be selling drugs or moving them in some way.

In order to be arrested for trafficking in drugs in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida, you don't have to traffic at all. You just have to be in possession of the drugs and the drugs possessed have to be over a certain amount. The drug can be anything illegal, such as marijuana, oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroine, morphine, cocaine, and crack. The prosecution must prove you had the drugs on you or in your reach and control.

If you have been arrested for trafficking in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Drug Attorneys at (904) 634-0900. Our Trafficking Defense Lawyers are available 24 hours a day for a free consultation.

A police officer in Virginia who specializes in arresting people for DUI is on trial for his own DUI. Bryan Womble is on the DUI unit and was arrested with a .15 blood alcohol level. That is nearly 2 times the legal limit of .08. Womble crashed his car into another car and fled the scene. He was later apprehended and performed poorly on the field sobriety exercises.

The trial has been continued to September because Womble's criminal defense attorney told the Court that there was possibly new evidence.

An police chief in Alexandria, Virginia has been arrested for DUI with an accident. David Baker was in a city car at the time and his blood alcohol level was .19, over 2 times the legal limit of .08.

Baker hit a woman's car and she was transported to the hospital. Because Baker's blood alcohol level was over .15, he could face a mandatory 5 days in jail according to Virginia law.

If you are arrested for DUI in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida and blow over a .15, there is no mandatory jail time, but there is a drastic increase in the fines and you may be required to put an interlock device on your car. The interlock device is a portable breath test machine attached to your car and the car won't start if the alcohol level is over .08.

If you have questions about a DUI arrest in Jacksonville, contact our DUI Attorneys in Jacksonville at (904) 634-0900.

The FBI keeps statistics every year on crime in America. Their analysis is called the Annual Uniform Crime Report. Part of the report is the number of crimes reported by region. For the "South", here are the statistics on specific crimes reported to the police:

Arson - down 1.1%
Grand Theft Auto - down 9%
Theft - up .1%
Burglary - up 2.8%
Robbery - down 1.4%
Rape - down 3.4
Homicide - down 6.7%

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Criminal Attorneys at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Law Firm is here for you.

Oregon State University found an interesting way to analyze drug usage among the state's population. They tested 96 sewage plants in Oregon for the presence of a variety of illegal drugs. The study was a one day snapshot. The study found:

80% of the cities tested positive for cocaine

40% of the cities tested positive for ecstasy

100% of the cities tested positive for crystal meth

The University intends to conduct a longer study in the future.

Jacksonville has its share of drug arrests. Call our Jacksonville Drug Law Firm with any questions you have about drug arrests in Duval County. Our number is (904) 634-0900 and our Jacksonville Drug Attorneys are available anytime for a free consultation.

The House Judiciary Committee has just introduced a law to equalize mandatory sentences for people who possess crack and powder cocaine. As the law stands now, if you have 1 gram of crack, you are punished the same as someone who was caught with 100 grams of powder cocaine. Many groups have petitioned the government to make the mandatory sentencing fair and equal.

The proposed change in the law is called the "Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act". The law now has to be approved by Congress.

If you have been arrested on cocaine charges in Jacksonville, contact our Jacksonville Cocaine Possession Attorneys at (904) 634-0900 for a free consultation.

Not only is it legal to sell marijuana in California for medical reasons, but cities are now taxing the sales. Oakland, California voters have approved a tax on medical marijuana sales. For every $1000 sold, there will be an $18 tax. City planners estimate the tax to bring in about $1 million per year.

In Jacksonville, when you are arrested for possessing pot, if you have less than 20 grams, it is a misdemeanor. If you have over 20 grams, it is a felony. Marijuana is not legal in Florida for any reason, even medical.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville for pot related charges, call our Jacksonville Marijuana Defense Law Firm at (904) 634-0900.

A University of Florida football player has been arrested for Driving on a Suspended License charges. Dustin Doe was arrested for the criminal charge shortly after he received a ticket for the same thing. After being arrested, Doe posted the $1000 bond set in first appearance court.

In Jacksonville, if you are pulled over for Driving on a Suspended License for the first time, the officer will probably write you a ticket. For every time after that first time, you will most likely be arrested. About 40% of the arrests in Duval County are for Driving on a Suspended License. Some people don't even know their license is suspended because they paid off all their tickets. The problem is, if you have many tickets that you pay at one time, you will receive all the points from the tickets and the DMV will then suspend your license.

If you have been arrested for Driving on a Suspended License in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Driving Attorneys at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Suspended License Lawyers are available anytime to discuss your case.

Duval County ranks #2 in Florida for the number of drivers who have caused 3 or more crashes between 2006 and 2008. Here are the top 5 number of drivers cited out of every 100,000:

Miami - 20.9 drivers

Duval County - 55.4 drivers

Pinnellas County - 37.9 drivers

Hillsborough County - 27.6 drivers

Broward County - 12.4 drivers

If you have been arrested on driving charges in Duval County, call our Duval County Criminal Defense Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

Jacksonville Beach residents may get to vote on whether or not to decriminalize possessing small amounts of pot. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is trying to get enough signatures to put the issue on the 2010 ballot.

Right now, if you are caught with any marijuana, you can be arrested on drug charges in Jacksonville. If the amount you have is less than 20 grams, the arrest is for a first degree misdemeanor punishable for up to 1 year in jail.

If you possess more than 20 grams of pot in Jacksonville, that is a third degree felony punishable for up to 5 years in prison.

If you have been arrested for possession of marijuana in Jacksonville, contact our Jacksonville Marijuana Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

The NAACP is providing a platform for victims of police misconduct/brutality. The association now provides a way for victims to upload images and video of police brutality.

The program is called "Rapid Report System" and allows people to respond to the videos/pictures.

If you are arrested for DUI in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida, that information is collected by law enforcement. The Florida Department of Highway Safety keeps statistics for DUI charges in Florida.

According to the Department:

DUI Accidents in Florida

2008 - 22,259
2002 - 21,533
2000 - 24,411

DUI Deaths in Florida

2008 - 1,169
2007 - 1,244
2000 - 979

If you have been arrested for DUI in Jacksonville, DUI in Clay County, DUI in Nassau County, or DUI in St. Johns County, call our Jacksonville DUI Law Firm at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Criminal Lawyers are available 24 hours a day for a free consultation.

Nine drug cases have been dropped in Indiana because of one police officer's misconduct. Andrew Collins, who is now serving 37 months in prison, was accused of taking the drugs he took from people he arrested instead of turning them into evidence. He was also accused of lying to judges to get them to sign search warrants and stealing money from the Benton Harbor police department.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville on drug charges, contact our Jacksonville Drug Attorneys immediately for a free consultation. Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Law Firm is available 24 hours a day.

A police officer in Anchorage, Alaska has been arrested for:

- 4 charges of 1st degree sexual assault

- 6 charges of 2nd degree sexual assault

- 4 charges of criminal use of a computer

- 6 counts of official police misconduct

Anthony Rollins is accused of raping many women while on duty as a police officer. Both the Anchorage police department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been looking into these charges.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville on rape charges, call our Sex Crimes Lawyers in Jacksonville at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Sex Crimes Attorneys are available anytime for a free consultation.

Four JSO corrections officers were fired last week for kicking and kneeing juvenile inmates when they were in cuffs. The officers were:

Christopher Woods
Juan Luyando
John Verwey II
Kenneth Brown

There is video of the whole incident.

If your child has been arrested on Juvenile Criminal Charges in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Juvenile Crime Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

A JSO officer has been fired for shooting a fleeing burglary suspect in the back. The suspect, Jerrick Hall, lived through the ordeal and his burglary case in Jacksonville was ultimately dropped by the State Attorney's Office.

Former officer, R. Fraser, is no longer on the force because he used "excessive force". Sheriff Rutherford said that there is no room for error when using deadly force.

We agree. There are very few citizens in our city or country that are allowed to kill someone with virtual immunity, as police officer are. Their actions should be held to a higher standard than the average person because they are trained to have sound judgment. When an officer's judgment is shown to be lacking, that officer should not be on the street.

Gary Pignato, a New York police officer who has been fired, is going to prison for sexual coercion. The disgraced officer was convicted of misconduct, accepting a bribe, and coercion. He will spend 2-6 years in a New York prison.

Pignato had sex with a woman he met after being called to a domestic dispute involving that woman. The woman was on probation and was not allowed to drink while on probation. After they had sex, Pignato did not report her drinking, which would have been a violation of her probation.

If you have been arrested for violation of probation in Jacksonville, contact our Jacksonville Probation Lawyers at (904) 634-0900. Our Jacksonville Probation Law Firm is available anytime for a free consultation.

A police officer in New Brunswick, New Jersey has been arrested after an indictment came down on the criminal charge of vehicular homicide. Keith Buckley was a lieutenant in the police force and allegedly crashed his car into a pole after traveling at high speeds and the crash killed another police officer. Buckley is also accused official misconduct for leaving his handcuffs and weapon out of the car. Buckley was on-duty at the time of the accident.

If you are arrested in Florida for Vehicular Homicide, the prosecutor must prove that you failed to use ordinary care and:

1. The victim is dead.

2. The death was caused by the operation of a car by you.

3. You operated the car in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of or great bodily harm to someone.

The prosecutor does not have to prove you had the intent to hurt anyone.

If you have been arrested on driving charges in Jacksonville, Florida, call our Jacksonville Driving Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

A Detroit, Michigan police officer has been arrested for uttering, theft, identity theft, and criminal misconduct. Stevie Perry was arrested for the felonies after an investigation into allegations that he pretended to be tipsters for "reward" money. He is accused of pocketing the money intended for people who tell police information on crimes.

In Jacksonville, Florida, if you are arrested for uttering, the prosecutor would have to prove that you cashed, or tried to cash, a check you know was forged or counterfeited with the intent to defraud someone.

The conduct of Perry should call into question all arrests he has made in his career. The felonies he has been charged with are crimes of dishonesty. The most important characteristic a police officer should have is honesty, because police are the only people in our society who can take your life and liberty with virtual immunity.

A Sainlas, California police officer has been arrested on felony charges of assault and intent to commit rape. Jesus Sanchez has been with the police force for 10 years. Police have been working with one victim, but are looking for more.

Sanchez is on paid leave and was let out of jail on bond.

If you have been arrested on sex charges in Jacksonville, contact our Jacksonville Sex Charge Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

An Indiana detective in Huntington has been suspended for misconduct. Melbourne Hunnicutt has been accused of looking at porn websites against the department's policy. Hunnicutt could be fired for this misconduct.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville, contact our Jacksonville Criminal Law Firm at (904) 634-0900.

An ex-Florida Corrections Officer has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for throwing extremely hot water on an inmate. We wrote about former Sergeant, Paul Tillis, in a prior blog when he was convicted of the assault.

Even after the inmate was severely injured, Willis refused to get him medical help. When released from prison, Willis will be on probation for two years.

Washington ex-mayor Marion Barry was arrested recently for stalking.

In Florida, you can be arrested for stalking if you willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follow or harass someone. If you did this, the charge will be misdemeanor stalking punishable for up to a year in jail.

If you also make a legitimate threat with the intent of placing the person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury, the charge can be elevated to felony Aggravated Stalking. If arrested in Jacksonville for Aggravated Stalking, you are facing up to 5 years in prison and a felony conviction.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville for stalking, call our Jacksonville Stalking Attorneys at (904) 634-0900.

As of July 1st, the rules dictating when the government can take your DNA have changed.

Under the old law, the government can forcibly take a sample of your DNA when you are
convicted of a felony in Florida. Now, the police can take your DNA if you are arrested for a felony in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida. Even if the felony charge is eventually dropped or you are found not guilty at trial, your DNA will be forever preserved by the government. Even if the felony charge you are arrested for is writing a worthless check, the police are entitled to a piece of you forever.

If you have been arrested for a felony, call our Jacksonville Felony Attorneys for a free consultation. Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Law Firm is available at (904) 634-0900.

On July 1st, many new laws went into effect in Florida.

One of the new laws directly impacts juvenile crime in Florida. The law requires that school boards all over the state relax their zero-tolerance policies as it concerns student discipline. The law tells the boards only to call the police on students that pose a serious risk to the safety of other students. Before the law went into effect, boards would expel or call the police even on minor offenses. The goal of this law is to direct kids away from the criminal juvenile system.

If your child has been arrested as a juvenile in Jacksonville, call our Jacksonville Juvenile Attorneys at (904) 634-0900 for a free consultation. Our Jacksonville Juvenile Law Firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Eleven police officers in Boston, Massachusetts have been suspended following an investigation into their involvement with a club that involved drugs and sex. Of the eleven officers suspended, two were detectives according to thebostonchannel.com.

Three of the officers have been arrested and charged with crimes surrounding the club.

Contact our Jacksonville Criminal Attorneys if you have any questions about criminal charges in Jacksonville, criminal charges in Clay County, criminal charges in Nassau County, and criminal charges in St. Johns County. Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyers are available 24 hours a day at (904) 634-0900.