An update on my blog post regarding 10th Judicial Circuit Judge Harlan and her Judicial Assistant (JA) Alisha Rupp's criminal case. Yesterday, I posted that Ms. Alisha Rupp's defense attorney was requesting a continuance of her trial set for next week. In Polk County, we have "Mandatory Docketing" on the Friday before the trial. At...
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Aggravated felony Domestic Violence arrest warrant issued for NFL Buccaneer Mike Williams' brother for allegedly stabbing the wide receiver.
Another day, another criminal story about an NFL football player. This time the Buc's Mike Williams is allegedly the victim of a domestic violence dispute at his home. There are multiple witnesses to the incident, but it allegedly involved horseplay between the two brothers. Because of their relationship as brothers, the incident is categorized as...
Read MoreFamily Physician Arrested for Alleged Underage Sexual Crimes
Dr. Brian Lee, an Escambia, Florida family physician, has been arrested for employing a two-way device to expedite the commission of a felony and for traveling to meet a juvenile for sex. Lee's arrest followed a long investigation into his online life and persona. According to the local sheriff’s office, the county computer crimes unit...
Read MoreIn Florida, Domestic Violence Charges Cannot Be Sealed or Expunged
In Florida, domestic violence charges cannot be sealed or expunged if you plead to the charge. In Florida, the working definition of domestic violence refers to any criminal offense that causes physical injury to, or the death of, a family or household member when perpetrated by another family or household member. False imprisonment, stalking, assault,...
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 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 MoreDentist sentenced for Halloween DUI Manslaughter accident.
Yesterday, a Hillsborough county dentist was sentenced to 12 years in prison pursuant to a plea agreement with prosecutors for causing the deaths of two people in a horrible DUI Manslaughter accident during Halloween. The drivers blood alcohol level was 0.13 which is over the 0.08 legal limit. The case took 3 years to resolve...
Read MoreNews Channel 8 continues investigating Lakeland PD
Last night News Channel 8 did a story regarding the Lakeland Police Department. The station reported a "bombshell" announcement regarding further problems at LPD. You can see the story at this link: http://www.wfla.com/story/22856459/lakeland-police-scandals-could-place News Channel 8 also has copies of the letters the State Attorney sen Chief Womack regarding some of the LPD officers. In...
Read MoreCan a convicted felon be a bail bond agent in Florida?
This week a spoke to a great group of students studying and training to become bail bond agents in Florida. Eventually, after a 120 hour course and training under a licensed bondsman, they too will receive their bail agent license. Many people ask me though if they can be a bondsman if they have a...
Read More2nd District Court of Appeals rules police holding driver's license is a seizure
Last week, the Second District Court of Appeals overturned a Defendant's conviction for possession of a controlled substance (carisoprodol). The rulings by the 2nd District Court of Appeal are binding on the county and circuit court's of Polk County. That means the felony or misdemeanor judge in Polk County must follow the appellate court's rulings...
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