Category: Criminal Defense
Treasure Coast Marijuana lawyer Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal substance in Florida and the United States. Although states throughout the country have amended their laws regarding marijuana, Florida’s marijuana laws remain particularly harsh. Charges and convictions can lead to severe punishments, including both criminal punishments and additional indirect consequences. One of the most severe consequences of a marijuana offense is its effect on your ability to legally drive. A conviction for any marijuana charge under Florida law will result in a six-month driver’s license suspension. Other indirect consequences may include being unable to obtain certain financial aid for… Read More →
What is the difference between expungement and sealing a record? Sealing a criminal history record prevents the public from having access to it. However, certain governmental or related entities, especially those listed in S. 943.059(4)(a), Florida Statutes, have full access to sealed records in their entirety. An expunged record allows entities that would otherwise have access to a sealed record to be informed that the subject of the record has had the record expunged. However, an inquiring entity is not allowed access to the record itself without a court order. They will receive a caveat statement indicating that, “ CRIMINAL… Read More →
If you flee on foot after being stopped by law enforcement, know that anything you dispose of (‘abandon”) will be able to be used against you, because you lose the right to challenge the constitutionality of the stop and seizure of your person. This is a direct result of your flight. Thus, even if the initial stop is deemed unconstitutional, you lose constitutional protections, so that evidence otherwise inadmissible will now be used against you. For example, you are in a car that is stopped by police looking for someone. The car’s description given to police is so vague as… Read More →
Sex crimes are considered some of the most serious crimes that carry draconian penalties. They are also the most socially stigmatizing crimes in existence which will jeopardize your life in ways you can’t even imagine. Simply being accused of a sex offense will have devastating effects on your life, long before guilt is actually proven in court by a judge or jury. If you are facing allegations of committing a sex crime in Florida, never make the mistake of cooperating with law enforcement without hiring a criminal defense attorney first. A criminal defense attorney understands the importance of gathering exculpatory… Read More →
Have you or a loved one been arrested for driving under the influence? Do you feel like there is no way to defeat your charges? Often times people charged with DUI tend to want to admit guilt and move on. Don’t fall into this lure! You can fight your charges, no matter what the circumstances are. As an experienced DUI defense lawyer, I understand the ins and outs of the court system. That being said, I know the most effective defense strategies that can be used against DUI charges. Some possible DUI defenses include the following: Lack of reasonable cause:… Read More →
Attorney T. Charles Shafer recently used his skill and experience to secure the dismissal of a client’s felony charges in St. Lucie County, FL. The firm’s client was out on bond for charges of possession of cannabis and resisting arrest when he was charged with armed burglary of a dwelling and aggravated battery. In the state of Florida, these felony offenses are punishable by up to 30 years and 15 years in prison, respectively. According to the prosecutor, the client and two others were involved in a dispute with a woman about money at her apartment complex. The prosecution alleged… Read More →
Possession of Cannabis Case of State v. T.L. Dismissed Attorney T. Charles Shafer recently secured the dismissal of a client’s case for possession of cannabis charges. The client had been charged with the crime on the morning of September 17th, 2014, when a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputy pulled over his truck for suspicious driving behavior. Although the client consented to the deputy searching the vehicle, he had not consented to being personally searched. Upon exiting the vehicle, the client, who cooperated with instructions and was unarmed, was then patted down by the deputy. The deputy discovered rolling papers, and… Read More →
Most people think that getting arrested or accused of a crime will never happen in their lifetime, but did you know that you could be arrested for simply not showing up to a traffic ticket court date? Though that may seem extreme, some judges will issue a bench warrant that allows officers to arrest the defendant. Most people don’t realize what bench warrants are and what type of authority they give to law enforcement. Basically, a bench warrant is issued when you fail to follow the orders of the court. Some of the most common examples include: Not showing up… Read More →
Have you ever been accused of shoplifting? According to statistics, close to 1 in 11 people shoplift. That is nearly 27 million people in the United States. People in all walks of life are accused of shoplifting; from young teenagers to adult crime rings. Whether you have been wrongfully accused or were involved in a misunderstanding, it is important that you are aware of the laws surrounding your case. In the state of Florida, shoplifting is considered retail theft. The following are examples of retail theft crimes: Changing labels or price tags Taking a shopping cart Carrying away or taking… Read More →
Being arrested or accused of a crime can be a very scary and intimidating thing. Not only that, but the legal and criminal process that follows can be extremely confusing. What should you say to police officers? How do you post bail? Will you have these charges on your record for the rest of your life? All of these questions can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to navigate the legal system at the same. When you have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, you can rest assured knowing that your case is in qualified hands. A… Read More →