Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Florida Bus Driver Charged With Child Pornography
A school bus driver in Florida is facing 13 charges of possession of child pornography. The 56-year-old Green Cove Springs man was arrested on August 2 after law enforcement found videos and images of child exploitation in the trash at his home. Some of the materials found depicted sadomasochistic abuse of children. The U.S…. Read More »
What is Traveling to Meet a Minor?
Under Florida law, there are many acts that can constitute child pornography. Even the act of traveling to meet with a minor in an attempt to engage in sexual relations is considered a crime—a second-degree felony, to be exact. The penalties are steep and can affect your life in many ways. Read on to… Read More »
Sex Crimes in Florida
The term “sex crime” is a rather broad term that many people hear on the news and immediately associate with rape. However, there are far more variations of sex crimes in the state of Florida then you may be aware of. Regardless of the charge, being convicted of a sex crime can have disastrous… Read More »
Cyberstalking in Florida: What to Know About This Crime
Virtually everyone has heard of stalking. You may have seen movies where a man or woman is constantly pursuing another person—typically a love interest. In the past, this was primarily done in person. In the age of technology, however, stalking is much easier. You can now use email, text, social media and the internet… Read More »
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a crime under Florida and federal law. It refers to the transportation or solicitation of another person primarily for sexual purposes. A person can also be trafficked for domestic servitude for forced labor. Human trafficking can involve minors or adults. When an adult is involved, the prosecutor must prove that the… Read More »
Sexting and Florida Law: What You Need to Know
In the age of cell phones, texting has become ubiquitous. Everywhere you go, someone is on their phone texting someone. Some are even sexting, which involves sending sexually explicit messages and photos to others. Sexting is used to flirt with others and is especially common among high school and college students. Sexting among adults… Read More »
Target “Peeper” Sentenced In Federal Court
Former United States marshal, Michael Rivera (defendant), was sentenced recently in connection to his peeping case at a North Dakota Target store. Rivera pled guilty to one count for the receipt of images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. Federal Judge Ralph Erickson sentenced the defendant to seven years in federal prison followed by… Read More »
Understanding the Federal Criminal Appeal Process
Across the U.S. media landscape, Americans are inundated with television reporters throwing around the word “appeal” when referring to federal criminal cases. However, few people truly understand what this term means and the process it entails. A guilty verdict to a criminal offense is obviously a crushing blow, however, it is important to understand… Read More »
Conviction Overturned? You Are Entitled To A Refund
The United States Supreme Court recently ordered in the case of Nelson v. Colorado that an individual whose criminal conviction has been overturned on appeal is entitled to receive a refund for the court fees and restitution they may have paid. This ruling comes in response to a Colorado state law (known as the… Read More »
Florida Man Sentenced For World’s Largest Child Porn Website
Naples, Florida resident, Steven Chase, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for running what the FBI called the “world’s largest child pornography website.” The sentence comes after Chase’s February 2015 arrest when the FBI determined found him to be the creator of the Tor network website “Playpen” with over 150,000 members…. Read More »
