Recent Blog Posts
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 »
Parenting Plan Enforcement: Parenting Coordinators, Part 1
March 23, 2015 When minor children are involved in a divorce, some of the most important issues in the divorce are custody and time-sharing. Coming to agreement on these issues can be contentious and can involve significant disagreement. However, the disputes are eventually resolved, whether by the parents’ agreement or by the court’s decision,… Read More »
Concealed Carry Laws in Florida
March 22, 2015 The Florida House Criminal Justice Committee recently approved HB 4005, a proposal to permit the concealed carry of firearms on college campuses. Lawmakers began reconsidering the ban after a November shooting at Florida State University. However, the bill is likely to face opposition in the Senate. Florida is one of twenty states with… Read More »
Community Corrections
May 20, 2015 In Florida, there are several alternatives to jail time available. Depending on the type of offense, an offender may be able to avoid incarceration by complying with certain conditions and restrictions. Probation Probation is court-ordered supervision for a specified period of time, which may not exceed the maximum sentence available for… Read More »
Criminal Contempt of Court in Florida
March 18, 2015 When a court issues an order, such as for child or spousal support or to enforce a parenting plan, that order must be obeyed. Unfortunately, sometimes parents and ex-spouses do not fully cooperate with the court’s orders. If that happens, courts have several tools at their disposal to encourage cooperation or… Read More »
Open Carry Laws in Florida
March 17, 2015 The Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled last month against Dale Norman, who was convicted of a second degree misdemeanor after his 2012 arrest for openly carrying a holstered gun. Norman appealed his conviction, arguing that it was a violation of both the state and federal constitutions to ban the open carry… Read More »
