A Canadian juvenile was arrested in the recent Polk County "swatting" case. "SWATting" is when an individual attempts to lure the SWAT time to respond to a location for a fake threat of some type. Polk County deputies allege the teen anonymously placed hoax calls to law enforcement officials in an effort to lure SWAT...
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Another Christmas Prostitution sting in Polk County results in 61 arrests.
Sheriff Grady Judd will hold a press conference today to announce the results of the latest Polk Prostitution sting from last week. The sting was part of a undercover operation targeting individuals who respond to online advertisements on Backpage.com. The online ads are usually listings for escort or massage services, but once the person responds to the hotel,...
Read MoreMedical marijuana amendment fails in Florida, pot still illegal to possess.
Florida's medical marijuana amendment did not pass yesterday in the election. Even though a majority of the voters voted in favor of passing the medical marijuana amendment, receiving 58% of the vote, it fell 2% shy needed to pass. In 2006, Florida voters decided all constitutional amendments needed a "super majority" to pass (60% instead...
Read MoreHow do you get your mugshot off the internet websites? Feds may be helping defendants.
As a criminal record sealing and expunging lawyer, many people call me because they need to get their mugshot off the internet because they can not find a job or obtain housing because of their criminal background. For now, you must seal or expunge your record to get your mugshot off the sheriff's webpage. You...
Read MoreWoman arrested for DUI wearing a "Hello Kitty" costume.
Halloween is almost here and that means candy, costumes, and parties. Remember to be safe and responsible. There are a lot of children out on the streets Trick-or-Treating and drinking and driving at this time of year can be dangerous. Already, on Sunday a woman in Maine was arrested while dressed as "Hello Kitty". She...
Read MoreBartow high school teacher arrested for possession of cannabis and paraphernalia.
Over the weekend, a Bartow high school teacher was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia (a grinder). WFLA channel 8 is reporting that Polk County Sheriff deputies allegedly went to the teacher's house in response to a tip that the teacher was in possession of the marijuana. Once the deputies arrived, they alleged smelled...
Read MoreI was arrested, what are my obligations under Florida's "Discovery" Rules of Criminal Procedure.
If you have been arrested, one of the first things a criminal defense attorney does is file a "Demand for Discovery" and serve it on the prosecutor. This helps prepare the defense of your case by requiring the prosecutor to turn over information and evidence to the defense lawyer. This is an essential tool in...
Read MoreFlorida Pill Mills Fuel Rising Number of Deaths by Drug Overdose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics for 2011 indicate an increase in Americans fatalities from prescription painkiller overdoses. Many Americans associate death by drug overdose with cocaine, heroine and other street drugs, but medical drugs can be just as lethal. Opioids, once only used for cancer patients, are now used in mainstream medicine...
Read MoreSome Sex Crimes, Such as Sexting, Do Not Always Involve Force
By definition, a sex crime is committed using threat or force to coerce someone into performing an unwanted sexual act. State governments usually prosecute these types of crimes. Should the commission of such an offense occur in two different states, it is usually the federal government that prosecutes. Penalties are more severe if the crime...
Read MoreWhat Does the Crime of Involuntary Manslaughter Involve?
Involuntary manslaughter can defined in several different ways, depending on the circumstances of a case. While involuntary manslaughter may, of course, be involuntary, it may also include a deliberate act. In some situations resulting in a death, the death was an accident or a caused by a careless individual. However, even in circumstances where a...
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