Can a police officer tell you that you have to let them inside?
A police officer rings your doorbell in Florida. You open the door slightly to speak with them, and they ask if they can come inside. You don’t feel comfortable with this, so you refuse. The officer then tells you that you don’t have a choice. They claim that, as a...
Can Florida police require you to exit your vehicle? It depends
Many of our readers may recall a widely reported incident last month when Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was stopped by Miami-Dade County police just outside the stadium on the way to his game. Hill was pulled out of his car by police, ending up face down on...
Types of bail bonds in Florida
Being arrested and charged with a crime can be very stressful. Part of the stress is wondering when or if you will be released. For many crimes, it will be possible to be released on bail. Bail is a monetary value that must be paid to ensure that the accused turns up...
Why you shouldn’t run from the police
Being approached by police officers can be daunting, particularly if you have been identified as a suspect. Your fight-or-flight response will likely kick in, but neither fighting nor running are good options. Here are some of the main reasons why you shouldn’t run...
How overdoses are turning into murder charges
The “War on Drugs” has been an unmitigated failure for years – but that hasn’t stopped authorities from continuing to wage it. The newest weapon in their arsenal is turning drug overdoses into murder charges. In the past, overdoses were regarded as tragic outcomes of...
Florida is set to take a harsher stance against street racing
Street racing is a potentially dangerous pastime that has surged in popularity in many Florida locations. These high-speed chases have prompted state lawmakers to implement stringent measures to curb such behavior. Those caught street racing can expect the possible...
Is it legal to drive drunk in an emergency?
People who are arrested on drunk driving allegations will sometimes try to explain their actions. They’ll have a reason why they think that what they did was justified, even while admitting that they technically broke the law. One example of this is when there is a...
A no-contact order includes social media
Have you been issued a no-contact order? This sometimes happens in domestic violence cases. If one person is accused of domestic violence, even though they haven’t been convicted yet, the court may issue a no-contact order to keep them away from the other party. Most...
Important information you should know about search warrants
Search warrants are orders authorized by a court that allow law enforcement to lawfully conduct property searches and seize evidence for criminal investigations. Obtaining a search warrant requires law enforcement to demonstrate probable cause to a judge or magistrate...
What is the fruit of the poisonous tree?
The "fruit of the poisonous tree" is a legal doctrine that is used to exclude evidence at trial that was obtained through some sort of illegal action by law enforcement. This doctrine is based on the idea that if the initial action – such as an illegal search or...