For many people, the words "burglary," "robbery" and "theft" mean pretty much the same thing. After all, a burglar breaks into a Ft. Myers business or home to rob it, right? Legally, this is not correct. Under Florida law, burglary and robbery are separate crimes. You...
Shoplifting is a common crime in Florida. In some cases, the shoplifter is a teen who wanted something they couldn't afford; in other cases, it is someone with a history of stealing, drug addiction or mental illness. In other words, shoplifting can be a one-time...
Police officers in Florida and around the country must usually obtain a warrant before searching a suspect’s home or office, but the courts have consistently ruled that warrantless vehicle searches are permissible as long as the officer involved acted with sufficient...
The Constitution provides every American the same rights. The fourth amendment protects American citizens from illegal, invasive searches and seizures of items. Law enforcement can still legally search private property, but there are still scenarios in which a search...
The legalization of drugs has become a rather hot topic. Many people hold different stances and the controversy is still open for debate. Many have continued to argue that possessing and using marijuana should at least be legalized and, though it has happened in some...
Smartphones contain much or nearly all of our personal data, and that potentially offers the government gigabytes of evidence that can be used against you if you are arrested or charged with a crime. But the government’s ability to view that data depends upon several...
In what was called a retaliation shooting in a Fort Myers community on July 4, 2017, one man was left dead, and another critically injured. The 3000 block of Thomas Street, in the Dunbar neighborhood, was shot up. Police claimed to have found a 35-year-old man by the...
Many people in Fort Meyers may know almost intuitively that if they are charged with a felony offense, they really should seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney. After all, the possibility of going to jail is a scary prospect. Moreover, a felony...
From television and movies, many people in America might think that every criminal case is destined to end up in front of a jury, with both sides making impassioned pleas about the guilt or innocence of the accused. But, the reality is that there are simply far too...
High-speed vehicle chases that involve police officers and criminal suspects present a danger to many people on the roads. Public safety needs to be weighed when police officers engage in these chases. In one case, it appears that law enforcement officials believed...