Criminal Law

If you are arrested for domestic violence battery the bond amount is automatically set at “No Bond” and  you will be brought before the first appearance Judge within 24 to 48 hours (typically w/in 24 hours) to address probable cause for arrest and the possibility of a bond.  The first appearance Judge will take into consideration numerous factors as to…

Yes. The state attorney’s office has complete discretion to file charges in adult court against a juvenile.  You may think that being under the age of 18 insulates you from adult charges, but it doesn’t.

Yes, if you meet certain criteria. If you completed Pretrial Intervention, Pretrial Diversion or your charge was nol prossed (dismissed)   you can petition for Court to expunge your record. If your records are expunged, the records will actually be destroyed. However, if you pled no contest or adjudication was withheld, you can only seal the charges.  If your charge…

Burglary of a vehicle is a felony and as such our local schools (Santa Rosa and Escambia counties) will most likely expel the child if charged. Typically, the child is not expelled or suspended for a misdemeanor charge. There are appeal procedures with the school district which allow you to bring an attorney to represent your child. Make sure to obtain…

In juvenile court, the probation if ordered can be up to  the child’s 19th birthday. The hope is that the child will complete all of the conditions and terms of the probation and terminate the probation quickly.-BUT if they delay completing their tasks, probation keeps on til age 19.

If you look on your driver’s license, you will see in fine print that the state of Florida deems the right to drive as a privilege.  If an officer has a reasonable belief that a driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol, the person is brought to the county’s jail. There, the individual is asked to breathe into a breathalyzer.  The…

Yes, in the state of Florida, if you are adjudicated guilty for a drug related offense (other than possession of drug paraphernalia), you will lose your driver’s license for 2 years.