Recent Blog Posts
What Is a Grand Jury?
April 15, 2015 Marc Wabafiyebazu, a Canadian diplomat’s son, was arrested recently after a shooting. The 15-year-old and his 17-year-old brother called drug dealers to buy two pounds of marijuana. A shootout followed, during which the older brother and a 17-year-old suspected drug dealer were killed. A grand jury will convene to determine whether… Read More »
Collecting Support Payments from an Out-of-State Parent or Spouse
April 15, 2015 In the event of a divorce, the prompt payment of child and spousal support can be essential to the financial well-being of a custodial parent or an ex-spouse. But if your co-parent or former spouse moves to another state, you may worry about getting support orders enforced against the payer spouse…. Read More »
Florida’s Motor Vehicle Theft Laws
April 9, 2015 Police in St. Petersburg have recently warned citizens to lock up their cars and valuables because of a recent rash of car thefts. Police attributed the thefts to students on spring break. In one recent weekend, there were 18 auto thefts and 44 auto burglaries, which is approximately double the numbers… Read More »
The Role of Mediation in a Florida Divorce
April 9, 2015 Many people believe that getting divorced means spending lots of time in court. But actually, even in contentious divorces, most couples are able to settle disagreements and make compromises through the use of mediation. The Mediation Process Mediation is the process in which the parties consult with a neutral third party,… Read More »
Slungshot Legalization Makes Headway in Florida
April 7, 2015 In Florida, the rise in popularity of the slungshot has made the legislature reconsider the law making it illegal to carry concealed slungshots. A slungshot is a length of rope, the end of which is knotted over a weight such as a steel ball or rock. Traditionally, sailors used them to… Read More »
The Exclusionary Rule of Search and Seizure: An Overview
April 2, 2015 The prohibition against unlawful search and seizure is fundamental to our country’s justice system. Both the U.S. and the Florida Constitutions guarantee freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement officers. Sometimes, however, police officers and other officials violate this rule, and sometimes that leads to the discovery of evidence that would not… Read More »
Alimony and Cohabitation in Florida
April 1, 2015 In Florida, four types of alimony are available after a divorce has been finalized. Bridge-the-gap alimony is designed to cover short-term needs to facilitate the transition to single life. Rehabilitative alimony helps a spouse become self-sufficient through education, vocational training, or work experience. Durational alimony gives economic assistance for a set period… Read More »
Child Pornography Laws in Florida
March 31, 2015 Daniel Scott Saull, a youth basketball coach for the city of Boca Raton, was arrested recently and charged with possession of child pornography. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office traced images of child pornography to Saul’s IP address, and found pictures and videos of children, mostly girls, engaging in sexual acts with… Read More »
Establishing Paternity in Florida: an Overview
March 30, 2015 In Florida, a child can legally have only one father. However, determining who that father is and establishing parental rights can be somewhat complex. If a mother is married at the time of her child’s birth, Florida law presumes that her husband is the child’s father. However, if the mother is… Read More »
Proposed Changes in Florida’s Direct File Law
March 26, 2015 Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, is sponsoring a bill that would limit the instances in which juveniles can be tried as adults in Florida. House Bill 783 would limit the use of “direct file,” or charging a juvenile as an adult. Currently, prosecutors may charge juveniles who are at least fourteen years old as… Read More »
