Criminal Defense News

Criminal Defense experts agree that when the stakes are high, in a death penalty case, a Judge has to be extremely careful. 10, 15, or 20 years later when the ultimate price is to be paid the courts will be very careful to avoid executing someone who has not received a fair trial. Judge William…

Florida Criminal Defense Attorney has been researching a new law that may make anyone with a cell phone or computer with Internet access a person possessing an illegal gambling device. Specifically, the definition of “slot machine” may now include most web devices. When a law captures innocent conduct it can be void for vagueness. The…

Cell Phone Search Warrant Update Florida Criminal and DUI Defense Attorney notes a Federal Court has lined up with the Florida Supreme Court in condemning warrantless cell phone searches “ on a cell phone, carried on the person. Allowing the police to search that data without a warrant any time they conduct a lawful arrest would,…

Search Warrant for Cell Phone Handset Required Florida Supreme Court Says a police officer is not authorized to search through photographs and information within a cell phone that was on defendant at time of arrest. Cell phone had been separated from defendant at time of search. Factually, images from defendant’s cell phone depicted a weapon that…

Boston Marathon Bombing Criminal Complaint is available here: Excerpts from Special Agent’s Affidavit: “I submit this affidavit in support of an application for a complaint charging DZHOKHAR TSARNAEV with (1) unlawfully using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction (namely, an improvised explosive device) against persons and property within the United States …”…

Federal Criminal Prosecutions are up for 2012 in the Middle District of Florida says a United States Department of Justice report. USDOJ national statistics reveal in 2012, there were 84,307 criminal filings in the nation. In the Middle District of Florida for 2012 there were 1,505 Filings and 2011 had 1,290 filings. Sadly, drug cases,…

Federal Pretrial Diversion The Eligibility Criteria for the DOJ Pretrial Diversion Program have been updated.  The disqualifier for having a history of substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) has been removed. Federal Pretrial Diversion Eligibility Criteria According to the Feds, “Pretrial diversion (PTD) is an alternative to prosecution which seeks to divert certain offenders from traditional criminal…

Employee Drug Testing Unconstitutional Criminal Defense Attorney has just obtained the full text of a Florida Federal District Court ruling on employee drug testing. The court found where there is no legitimate safety concern, drug testing without probable cause violated the Fourth Amendment. Case Excerpt: Great news for Employees subjected to Florida Employee Drug Testing  – Unconstitutional Court…

Finished another Criminal Defense morning at the United States Attorney’s Office Building in the Middle District of Florida – Tampa Division in Florida. 400 N Tampa St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA Help Need Here? Call Casey (813) 222-2220.

Crime scene evidence goes here for prosecution of cases by the Pinellas State Attorney’s Office. Located across the street from the Courthouse and the jail. Evidence Used Against You? Call Casey at (813) 222-2220.