While an insanity defense plays well on television and in the movies, it’s very difficult to prove in a court of law. Most jurors are skeptical of such a defense and believe that the defendant is trying to get off by faking mental illness and incapacity. Secondly, the burden is on the defense to prove …
Florida’s legislative session has drawn to a close without any significant reform to alimony laws. There were proposals to make significant changes to how alimony is awarded in divorce cases but they died in committee. Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell filed SB 1596 on March 1st, hoping to create a fair and balanced approach at determining …
Florida Alimony Reform Will Have to Wait Until Next Year Read More »
Veterans who have legally obtained medical marijuana prescriptions to deal with chronic pain and other ailments related to military service face a real quandary when it comes to seeking employment. No one will hire them. U.S. veterans who use medical marijuana say they face losing job training or other benefits even though it’s legal in …
Military Vets in a Catch-22 Over Marijuana Use and Employment Read More »
As expected, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill approved unanimously by the legislature to ban child-like sex dolls. The law goes into effect October 1, 2019. A legislative analysis of the bill said that child-like sex dolls imported from China, Japan and Hong Kong are becoming increasingly prevalent in the U.S. They are part of …
The 8th Amendment to the the US Constitution is another important provision for those facing criminal charges. It states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” It serves as a safeguard that the “punishment should fit the crime” and that incarceration before adjudication of guilt or …
Eighth Amendment Another Constitutional Protection Read More »
I started with the 4th Amendment earlier this week. There is another important amendment that guarantees rights in cases where one stands accused of a crime. The Fifth Amendment creates a number of rights relevant to both criminal and civil legal proceedings. In criminal cases, the Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to a grand jury, …
More Rights Afforded to Alleged Criminals and Why That’s Important Read More »
The 6th Amendment guarantees a defendant the right to a fair and speedy trial but how is that a useful right if it’s rarely used? The U.S. Courts government website says about 10% of cases go to trial. For federal charges, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys did a study and found only about …
Plea Deals Endangers Privileges of 6th Amendment Read More »
Last Monday’s ruling by Palm Beach County Judge Leonard Hanser was a huge victory for Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft who was one of dozens of spa patrons allegedly caught on camera receiving illicit massages at the spa in January. He and other defendants pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from the footage and other …
Prosecutors Appeal Exclusion of Video Evidence in NFL Owner’s Sex Sting Case Read More »
The right to counsel is a bed rock principle of our legal system. As such, it’ s rarely questioned. It’s an assumption that we all take pretty much for granted. Well, not anymore. Harvard University Deans Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. and his wife, Stephanie Robinson, may continue to teach at Harvard Law. But they lost …
Right to Counsel Threatened in Harvard University Debacle Read More »
In November 2017, I wrote a blog post entitled, “Sex Sells and the Bodies Are Falling Everywhere”. This is a follow-up to that earlier post. Laura McLeod told Politico that her relationship with Latvala was “complicated” but admitted that the first phase of their relationship was indeed consensual. He was married and she was in …
Weaponized Sex and the Downfall of Senator Jack Latvala Read More »