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A petit theft arrest in Florida may sound minor—but in Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties, even a low-level theft charge can result in serious and lasting consequences. Employers, landlords, licensing boards, schools, and immigration authorities often treat theft allegations far more harshly than other misdemeanor offenses because theft is viewed as a crime of dishonesty.

The good news is most first-time petit theft cases are highly defensible and frequently resolvable without long-term damage—if handled correctly and early. This guide explains how petit theft cases are handled locally in Northeast Florida and outlines proven strategies for minimizing their impact. Continue reading

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Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida is a serious matter that can affect your freedom, finances, and future. The legal process can seem intimidating and confusing, especially if this is your first encounter with the criminal justice system. Understanding the stages of a DUI case can help you prepare, protect your rights, and make informed decisions. This article discusses the major stages of a DUI case in Florida from the moment of your arrest to your case resolution.

  1. The Traffic Stop and Arrest

Most DUI cases begin with a traffic stop. A law enforcement officer may pull you over for a moving violation, such as speeding or swerving, or may stop you at a DUI checkpoint. During the stop, the officer will observe your behavior, speech, and physical appearance for signs of impairment.

If the officer suspects impairment, you may be asked to perform field sobriety exercises.  If the officer believes there is probable cause to believe you are impaired, you will be placed under arrest and transported to the county jail. Continue reading

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Being arrested is one of the more frightening experiences anyone can face. In that moment, confusion, fear, and uncertainty can take over—but what you do next can have a powerful impact on the outcome of your case. Whether you were stopped for DUI, accused of a drug offense, or facing a serious felony, understanding the steps to take immediately after an arrest in Florida is essential to protecting your rights and your future.

This article explains the process and offers practical advice on what to do—and what not to do—if you or a loved one has been arrested in Florida. Continue reading

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Being involved in a traffic accident is stressful under any circumstances. But when you’re accused of leaving the scene—sometimes called a “hit-and-run”—the stakes rise dramatically. Florida law takes these charges very seriously, and the consequences can be life-changing. If you or someone you know is facing this situation, hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.

Understanding Florida’s Law on Leaving the Scene

Under Florida Statutes § 316.061 and § 316.027, drivers have a legal duty to stop immediately after an accident that results in property damage, injury, or death. Failing to do so is a crime. The severity of the charge depends on the circumstances: Continue reading

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The “Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act” has passed the U.S. House of Representatives (June 26, 2025) and is now in the Senate. It is not law as of today (September 1, 2025). If enacted in its current form, it would make any DUI—even a misdemeanor—an explicit ground to deny admission to the U.S. and a separate ground to deport non-citizens after a conviction. That’s a major shift from current federal immigration law, where most simple DUIs do not automatically trigger deportation.

Where the bill stands and what it says

The House-passed bill (H.R. 875 in the 119th Congress) would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in two key ways:

  • Inadmissibility (INA §212): A non-citizen would be inadmissible if they were convicted of, admit having committed, or admit committing the essential elements of a DUI/DWI (as defined by the state/tribal/federal jurisdiction), whether classified as a misdemeanor or felony.
  • Deportability (INA §237): A non-citizen would be deportable upon any DUI/DWI conviction, again regardless of misdemeanor/felony label under local law.

The text explicitly includes impairment by alcohol or drugs and defers to the law of the jurisdiction for the definition of the offense. Continue reading

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In the State of Florida, sexual offenses are taken extremely seriously, especially those involving minors. One of the more severe charges that can arise in such cases is Lewd and Lascivious Battery, a felony offense that carries significant legal consequences. This article will explore what this charge entails, the statutory framework surrounding it, potential defenses, and the long-term implications if you’re accused or convicted of this crime.

What Is Lewd and Lascivious Battery?

Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 800.04(4), Lewd and Lascivious Battery involves adults engaging in sexual activity with a minors aged 12 years or older but younger than 16, or encouraging, forcing, or enticing such a minor to engage in any lewd or lascivious act.

The law is designed to protect minors who, under Florida law, are deemed legally incapable of giving consent to sexual activity—even if they appear willing or initiate the contact. Therefore, a person over the age of 18 who engages in sexual activity with someone aged 12–15 can be charged, regardless of whether the act was consensual. Continue reading

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With the proliferation of the internet and other electronic communication media, the crime of traveling to meet a minor for sex is of growing concern in the United States. Often referred to as “traveling to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts,” the crime is considered very serious in both state and federal courts. However, the way the crime is investigated, prosecuted, and sentenced differs significantly depending on whether it is prosecuted at the state or federal level.

The Nature of the Crime

The crime of traveling to meet a minor for sex is defined by federal and state law to address the issue of adults attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors. In Florida, as in other states, individuals can be charged if they travel to meet a minor with the intent to engage in sexual acts or solicit the minor for such acts.

The federal law governing this offense is found in the Sexual Exploitation and Other Abuse of Children section of the U.S. Code at 18 U.S.C. § 2423, while in Florida, it is governed under Florida Statute Chapter 847, specifically Section 847.0135. Both state and federal law imposes serious penalties, but the approach to investigating and prosecuting these crimes varies significantly depending on whether the case proceeds in state or federal court. Continue reading

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The State of Florida has taken a firm stance against the exploitation of children, particularly when it comes to online predation and child sexual abuse. One of the more serious crimes of this type is traveling to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. This offense is a violation of Florida law and carries severe penalties that reflect the state’s commitment to protecting children from exploitation. In this article, we will explore the crime of traveling to meet a minor for sex in Florida and the implications to you or a loved one either under investigation or arrested for this crime.

Legal Definition and Elements of the Crime

Florida Statutes § 847.0135 addresses the crime of traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity. Under this statute, it is illegal for an adult to travel to a location within the state for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The law applies regardless of whether the adult has already communicated with the minor directly or through an intermediary, such as a parent or guardian, provided their intent is clear and established.

To be convicted of this offense, the prosecution must prove the following elements: Continue reading

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Were you arrested or given a notice to appear for leaving the scene of an accident in Florida?  Or, have you received calls from the police requesting to discuss you leaving the scene of an accident with them?  If so, there are steps you can take to avoid being found guilty even if you really did hit a car and then leave the scene.

Leaving the scene of an accident, or “hit and run” as it is commonly called, is governed by
Florida Statute section 316.061. Under that section, the offense of leaving the scene is committed when you:

  1. are involved in an accident or crash with another person’s property; such as a vehicle, building, or structure; and
  1. willfully leave the scene of the accident or crash without providing your name, address, registration information, and driver’s license to the owner of the property.

If the owner of the property is not present for you to provide your information or cannot be readily located, you are required to report the accident or crash to the nearest law enforcement agency and provide your name, address, registration information, and driver’s license. Continue reading

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Have you  been arrested, or received a notice to appear or citation, for petit theft?  If so, you will soon need to be even more careful how your case is resolved due to a recent proposal to strengthen Florida laws concerning theft crimes.

Up until now, persons committing petit theft in Florida generally did not have to worry about going to jail or prison for their offense.  But earlier this week Governor Ron DeSantis announced proposed legislation aimed at slowing the increasing numbers of retail theft and porch piracy throughout the country. According to Governor DeSantis, retailers nationwide lost $112 billion to retail theft, with notable increases in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

“If you commit a crime in Florida, you are going to be held accountable,” Governed DeSantis warned.  “We will not tolerate retail crime, porch pirates and the lawlessness that they allow in California and New York.” Continue reading

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