Stand your ground has always been controversial and this week’s ruling by a Miami judge will only add fuel to the controversy and debate. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch wrote that Florida legislators overstepped their authority when they passed a bill that many prosecutors criticized. Under the law, prosecutors must prove by “clear and convincing” […]
Florida New Stand Your Ground Law Ruled Unconstitutional Read More »
The police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile after a routine traffic stop in Minnesota has been acquitted on all charges. The shooting occurred in July 2016. Officer Jeronimo Yanez had been charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering safety by discharging a firearm in the shooting. A dash cam video of the incident was released
Reasonable Fear for Life and Police Shooting Read More »
Having already served 8 years of a 9-33 year prison sentence for armed robbery, kidnapping and other charges stemming from a confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas casino hotel in September 2007, OJ Simpson has a parole hearing set for July 20th in Nevada. Simpson will appear by video from Lovelock
OJ Simpson’s Parole Hearing Set for July, May Be Free in October Read More »
Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial ended in a mistrial over the weekend after a jury could not agree as to his guilt or innocence. While the outcome was not entirely unexpected given the long deliberations of the jury, it left some legal scholars scratching their heads as to why the jurors had so much difficulty
Cosby Mistrial and the Difficulties with “He Said, She Said” Cases Read More »
Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed legislation into law that essentially shifts the burden of proof from defendant to prosecutor in “Stand Your Ground” cases. This is a significant shift in the law since prior to this bill’s signing the Florida Supreme Court had ruled in 2015 that defendants have to prove in pretrial hearings
Burden of Proof Shifts in Florida Stand Your Ground Cases Read More »
If you’ve ever been arrested in Florida, you know the feeling. You panic and wonder who do I call to get me out of this? When you’ve been arrested, there aren’t a lot of options in most cases. Some you wouldn’t want to call out of embarrassment, others you wouldn’t call because they can’t help.
Arrested in Tampa Bay? Call Me First! 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 »
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 »
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 »
The US Supreme Court has waded into a controversial case that pits two Constitutional principles against each other, namely, the 2nd Amendment, the right to bear arms and the 4th Amendment, the right to be protected against unreasonable searches and seizures. The case concerns the police entering a dwelling without a warrant and shooting a
Supreme Court Tackles Police Shooting Case Read More »