3 New Florida Criminal Laws Lower Penalties

It appears Florida is attempting to keep people out of jail, help our first time offenders stay out of jail and keep the revolving door process under control. Three new laws are being looked at by our legislature and although they are far from passing, it  is a start to change our criminal justice system attitude. Many young people start a prison process for a minor offense and their lives are changed as they become a part of the prison system rather then important members of our society.  Law one Increases in the monetary felony theft from $300 to $1,000.  Law two Allows judges to depart from mandatory-minimum sentencing for low-level drug offenses.  Law Three Reduce driver’s license suspensions for non-driving offenses. The bills although  far from becoming actual  laws may start to  free up prisons in Florida and help first time offenders. License Suspension and Revocation Penalties The Florida House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee approved House Bill 1095, a measure that would remove license suspension and revocation penalties for a number of offenses unrelated to driving. It would also prevent people from losing their licenses because of an inability to pay court fees. “It’s intended to keep people out of the ‘snowball effect’ that often comes with being caught in the judicial system,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, told the subcommittee Tuesday. “Studies show that suspensions do not serve as a deterrent, and by legally allowing people to get to and from work, school and grocery stores, there will be less arrests and incarcerations, which will relieve big burdens on our judicial and corrections systems,” he said. With...

Caught With Marijuana in Fort Lauderdale? It Ain’t Legal Yet

Yes, Medical Marijuana will be back on the ballot this November. But, right now if you are caught with it in Fort Lauderdale you have committed a crime. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means that the drug has a high potential for abuse and has no currently accepted medical use. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.03.) The possession for personal use, or manufacture, sale, or distribution of marijuana is a crime in Fort Lauderdale. Marijuana trafficking, and possession or sales of drug paraphernalia is a crime.  Florida imposes a range of penalties  under (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13.) Possession for Personal Use Possessing 20 or fewer grams of marijuana is a first degree misdemeanor. In Fort Lauderdale this is  punishable with up to one year in jail. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13(6)(b).) Purchase or possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a third degree felony, punishable with up to five years in prison. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13(2)(a).) Manufacture and Sale Of Marijuana It is illegal to manufacture  or sell marijuana in Fort Lauderdale.  Penalties vary based on   the amount manufactured or sold. , It also depends on whether the crime was committed in a drug free area, such as a school or church  (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13(1)(c).) Manufacturing, selling, or possessing marijuana with the intent to do so, is a third degree felony, punishable with up to five years in prison. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 775.082.) Marijuana sale or possession within 1,000 feet of a school (between 6 a.m. and midnight), public recreation area, place of worship, public housing facility, or...

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer

What Can A Fort Lauderdale  Criminal Defense Lawyer  Do For You? An experienced and  competent criminal defense lawyer, like Guy Seligman, can negotiate to avoid charges being filed,  negotiate a plea bargain, prepare your criminal  case for trial, and come up with the best strategy for your defense based on the charges and any prior arrests.  If you’re facing a criminal charge, you must  hire a Fort Lauderdale  criminal defense lawyer  who has experience in the exact charges filed against you or the crime that you are arrested for. This lawyer musrt know  the right defenses, plea bargain deals, and what  a criminal conviction could mean for you. Why Hire a Local  Criminal Defense Lawyer? If you are suspected of a crime or charged with a crime  you require the services of a local criminal defense attorney  who knows the local judges and state attorney.  Different rules and penalty’s exist for different charges.  You need a criminal defense attorney who has defended your particular criminal charge to give you  the best defense. An experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney will know the information the state attorney  will need to prove your guilt. Yiur  defense attorney should also know what information you need to prove your innocence. With over 20 years experience defending people arrested in Broward County, I know   whether there are any legal rules justifying your actions. Call me today. Let’s get started defending your...