A Clearwater police officer has been dismissed from the force after an internal investigation revealed he used excessive force on a 13-year-old boy at a youth shelter. Surveillance video shows Michael Leonardo grabbing the teenager across the upper chest and slamming him face-first onto the concrete sidewalk just outside the front doors of the shelter. […]
Clearwater Cop Fired After Excessive Force on 13-Year-Old Read More »
Attorney-client privilege is a hallmark of American jurisprudence and a violation of that privilege can lead to severe penalties for the attorney who violates it. I take that privilege, really, a relationship seriously and a matter of sacred trust. However, is it inviolable? Is it like the Catholic priest-penitent relationship where a priest can’t even
What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas? Read More »
Adultery is a misdemeanor in Florida. According to statute 798.01, it’s a second-degree misdemeanor to be Living in Open Adultery: Living in open adultery.—Whoever lives in an open state of adultery shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Where either of the parties
If Adultery is a Crime in Florida, Why Doesn’t It Impact My Divorce Case? Read More »
Cops are stepping up efforts to catch texting drivers across the country. In some departments, officers pose as construction workers or homeless along the sides of busy roads to nab the distracted drivers. Once they spot a texting driver, they call ahead for waiting uniformed officers to stop the texting driver and cite him for
Cops Going Undercover to Nab Texting Drivers Read More »
The short answer is yes. Police officers can lie, deceive, and falsify their true identities to obtain information from a suspect. Undercover sting operations are based on the premise of deception in order to catch criminals. It is a dangerous myth to think police have an ethical duty to tell the truth in all circumstances
Can a Cop Lie to You? Read More »
Lifetime’s “Dance Moms” star Abby Lee Miller found out the hard way that you can’t fool around with federal bankruptcy laws and get away with it. She has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, in addition to being fined $40,000 and ordered to
Bankruptcy Fraud Is Not Something to Dance Around Read More »
In an all together disappointing but unsurprising move, the Florida Legislature closed its 2017 session without making a decision to put a medical marijuana bill into effect. While somewhat controversial, Floridians voted overwhelmingly last November in favor of medical marijuana. In spite of its popularity, Florida lawmakers didn’t embrace it in case it might hurt
Florida Legislature Plays Kick the Can with Medical Marijuana Read More »
The presumption of innocence is a bedrock principle in our criminal jurisprudence and guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. However, that principle may have been tested when a judge in a case involving a USF football player spoke out against the accused, his coach, and USF in general. On Wednesday, USF defensive end LaDarrius Jackson
Is USF Football Player Still Innocent Until Proven Guilty After Judge’s Remarks? Read More »
Last November, more than 72% of voting Floridians said yes to medical marijuana for those who are suffering terrible pain as a result of debilitating and life altering diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, just to name a few. However, ever since then the elected leaders of the Sunshine State have had difficulty coming to grips
Marijuana Legalization and the Rest of Your Life Read More »
Ladarrius Divonta Jackson, 22, a defensive end for the University of South Florida Bulls, has been arrested and charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment of a female student. The alleged incident occurred on Monday in the afternoon at one of the on-campus housing apartments. The woman immediately called university housing staff who assisted her
USF Football Player Arrested and Charged with Sexual Assault Read More »