Wow! Another week and another police chief out of a job. This time it is Plant City Police Chief Steve Singletary. Just like the Lakeland Police Department scandal, this firing also included allegations of sexual misconduct. The city manager did not fire Chief Singletary for allegedly having an affair. However, the chief was let go...
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Proposed medical marijuana amendment approved by Florida Supreme Court. How will it affect criminal cases
The medical marijuana amendment has made it to Florida’s ballot in time for the next governor’s election. Voter polls currently indicate that the amendment will pass easily and medical marijuana will become legal in the state of Florida. How will this affect criminal cases? The potential effect on the police, when law enforcement can search...
Read MorePinellas County law enforcement and federal law enforcement conduct “Operation Home Alone” targeting travel to meet a minor suspects.
Federal law enforcement agencies along with various law enforcement agencies in Pinellas County conducted a criminal sting operation this past weekend. 35 people were arrested. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which has run nine (9) of these child sex crime stings in the past, also assisted in “Operation Home Alone.” The charges suspects were arrested...
Read MoreJustin Bieber arrested for DUI in Florida with allegedly a low breath test and urine results to come
As everyone has now heard, Justin Bieber was arrested for DUI in South Florida. Numerous videos of the incident have come out including a cell phone video and a homeowner’s surveillance camera video. These videos can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh0MKeZdHNA – driving video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqR_iOXwcz0 – surveillance video This is a copy of the police report...
Read MoreFlorida police officer charged for having sex, but not telling his partners he was infected with HIV.
A police officer in Palm Beach County is facing two felony counts for failing to tell his sexual partners he has the HIV virus. Chapter 384 of the Florida statutes governs Sexually Transmissible Diseases. Under Florida statute 384.24 "Unlawful acts" it is a crime if: (1) It is unlawful for any person who has chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma...
Read MoreFormer Dallas Cowboy Josh Brent sentenced for DUI Manslaughter conviction
Former Dallas Cowboy Josh Brent was found guilty of DUI Manslaughter and was quickly sentenced. That is because in Texas, the jury determines the sentence. He was facing up to 20 years in prison. The jury sentenced him to 10 years in probation, but there is a 180 day minimum jail sentence on DUI Manslaughter...
Read MoreLakeland Police Cheif Womack resigns
LPD Chief Lisa Womack resigned today. Womack's resignation is effective May 1. The chief's resignation comes only two (2) days after a "no confidence" vote by employees of the Lakeland Police Department. This comes after a scandal filled year at LPD including sexual misconduct, "bra-shaking" searches of females, my DUI case where issues with the...
Read MoreDistinguishing a Florida Misdemeanor from a Felony: A Basic Guide
People are often confused by the distinction between felonies and misdemeanors. Simply put, the difference lies in the severity of the penalties applicable. Criminal law in the State of Florida is usually divided into two categories: felonies and misdemeanors. There is another classification, called “common law crimes”, but those designations usually have attributes of the...
Read MoreFormer Dallas Cowboy's DUI Manslaughter trial goes to the jury.
Busy week for NFL football players in the criminal courts. The latest is the DUI manslaughter trial of former Dallas Cowboy Josh Brent. He is on trial for DUI Manslaughter in Texas when he was driving home from a strip club and his teammate was killed in the accident. Prosecutors allege the car was driving...
Read MoreLakeland Police department blames State Attorney for past problems with some cases
Today, the Lakeland Police Department released a 68-page report to Lakeland city commissioners regarding problems with criminal cases investigated by L.P.D. The report, prepared by members of Lakeland P.D.'s internal affairs division, detailed case by case what efforts have been taken or are in the works to address Polk State Attorney Jerry Hill's concerns. While...
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