Florida Criminal Attorney Blog

A 47-year-old former Miramar police captain convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct for forcing a teenage girl to strip naked in a car to prove she wasn't having sex with her 19-year-old boyfriend was sentenced to four years in prison Friday.

A Broward Circuit Judge later set a $30,000 bond so that the ex-cop could be out of jail while his attorneys appealed his conviction. The man retired a month after his June 2012 arrest. He is ordered to remain under house arrest during his appeal, unable to get a job or leave his home. He is allowed no contact with minors, except for his own teenage stepchildren.

In addition to the prison sentence, the man has been ordered to serve five years of probation as a sex offender following his release.

The judge reprimanded the man before delivering the sentence, claiming he abused his authority as a police officer in order to gape at the exposed body of a 15-year-old girl.

A jury found the man guilty of one count of lewd and lascivious conduct last month.
The ex-police officer apparently approached the girl and her 19-year-old boyfriend as they were making out in a parked car at the Fountains of Miramar on Dykes Road on June 18, 2012. The girl and her boyfriend testified that the man told her to show her genitals and used a flashlight to gawk at her bare body. Broward jurors acquitted the man of another count that accused him of directing the girl to expose her breasts.

The man's defense lawyers argued several key points, including that the incident took place in the middle of the afternoon, that it was never clear whether the accused was the officer involved and that the girl and her boyfriend invented the entire story to cover up their illegal relationship. The boyfriend received immunity from statutory rape charges in exchange for his testimony against the ex-officer.

Jurors sided with the couple's account of the incident.

Family members and supporters of the former police captain gathered into the courtroom on Friday hoping the man would receive a lenient sentence. He faced a maximum of 15 years in prison.

The man's appeal is pending.

Continue reading "Broward County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Ex-Miramar Police Captain Sentenced to 4 Years for Ordering 15-Year-Old Girl to Expose Genitals" »

Former NBA All-Star Mookie Blaylock, facing charges of driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain his lane in a Friday head-on crash in suburban Atlanta, has now been charged with vehicular homicide.

Authorities claim that Blaylock, 46, was driving an SUV that crossed the center line of Tara Boulevard, about 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta, when he struck a van. A 43-year-old female passenger of that van died from her injuries hours later. The woman's husband, who was also riding in the van, was treated for his injuries at a hospital and released later.

Following the crash, Blaylock was placed on life support at the hospital, but his condition has since been upgraded. According to an Atlanta Medical Center spokeswoman, as of Monday, Blaylock was in fair condition.

Officials said that Blaylock was also wanted in Spalding County on charges of failure to appear in court, DUI and drug possession.

Police are currently investigating the cause of the crash, but do not believe alcohol played a factor.

Blaylock allegedly told investigators that he blacked out right before the crash. Authorities are currently looking into his medical history.

More than 6 million motor vehicle accidents occur annually across the United States. Sadly, a great number of these accidents result in the death of drivers, passengers and pedestrians. If you were behind the wheel of a car that caused a tragic collision, you are most likely facing immense stress over your own injuries, but a vehicular manslaughter charged can quickly pile on more tension to your current situation.

Continue reading "Florida Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Lawyer :: Ex-NBA All-Star Mookie Blaylock Charged with Vehicular Homicide in Georgia Woman's Death" »

A federal judge sentenced a 51-year-old Palm Beach Gardens resident and former New Jersey lawyer to more than 24 years in federal prison Tuesday for his involvement in a foiled kidnap plot of a wealthy Palm Beach County businessman for a $20 million ransom.

The man believed the elderly victim was engineering private high-stakes poker games which had personally cost him more than $100,000.

Prosecutors played secretly recorded tapes of the man, for the first time in public, threatening what he believed was the elderly victim's wife with terrible violence if she didn't meet his demands.

The man was unaware that the woman he was threatening was an undercover FBI agent posing as the victim's wife.

While the man pleaded guilty to kidnapping conspiracy, prosecutors believe the case could have ended tragically if witnesses had not tipped off the FBI.

The Palm Beach Gardens man apparently planned the crime for 18 months with a 37-year-old Jupiter man, who pleaded guilty to his role and is serving a little more than 10 years in prison.

The FBI became involved with the kidnapping plan after the former lawyer confided in his girlfriend. She introduced him to her friend who allegedly had ties to Russian mobsters. After meeting with the man, the girlfriend and the friend reported the man to the FBI. Undercover agents were introduced to the former attorney, who had no clue he had been fooled until he was arrested.

The man was sentenced Tuesday on the eve of the anniversary of his May 29, 2012, arrest in the parking lot of a home improvement store in Palm Beach County where he thought he was showing up to receive a $12 million ransom. This amount was negotiated down from the initial demand of $20 million.

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Former New Jersey Lawyer Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Kidnapping Scheme" »

A Sarasota man and woman, both 21, were arrested Monday on charges of felony child abuse after the woman's 3-year-old daughter died from a slew of injuries, including broken ribs and internal bleeding.

The man and woman are currently being held in jail without bail in connection to the toddler's death on April 11.

Police allege that on April 10 the girl received treatments for asthma, vomited and had complained about being in pain. The couple apparently told a family friend they were taking the girl to a doctor's appointment, but investigators claim that did not happen.

According to reports, the friend called 911 the next day, after the couple refused to take the girl to the hospital. The friend told deputies that the child was "flopping" around and became non-responsive.

The child was later pronounced dead. The mother told doctors the child had suffered from asthma, however an autopsy of the child revealed that blunt force trauma to the toddler's abdomen caused a lacerated and crushed liver, other severe internal injuries and bleeding, which is what investigators believe caused her death.

The medical examiner noted that the young girl also had two broken ribs and various bruises on her body.

Police claim the injuries to the child occurred while she was being solely cared for by the couple.

Both the man and woman have a criminal record. Five of the woman's previous arrests were for violent offenses, including aggravated battery causing bodily harm. Records show the man has been arrested at least 10 times, for a various charges including battery, driving without a license and selling cocaine.

Continue reading "Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Sarasota Couple Charged with Child Abuse in Toddler's Death" »

An Internet sex sting in Tallahassee last month dubbed "Operation April Fools" yielded 20 arrests in 5 days.

All of the men arrested are accused of soliciting minors for sex. According to police, 14 of the men showed up in person.

Police posed as 12, 13 and 14-year-olds online. According to reports, none of the men arrested stopped chatting with the teens about sex once they found out their age.

Police claim that one man traveled three hours all the way from Andalusia, Alabama with the hopes of meeting a 14-year-old boy for sex. He was immediately arrested once he showed up at the decoy house.

Tallahassee Police and Leon County Sheriff's Office worked together on the sting along with other state and federal officers.

Among the men arrested include an attorney with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and a reserve deputy with the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Both men have been fired.

Undercover Internet child sex stings, like "Operation April Fools," happen every day throughout the state of Florida and across the country. Law enforcement agents are constantly increasing their enforcement of the Internet in relation to alleged child sex predators by conducting undercover sting operations. Whether detectives pose as minors or the parents or guardians of young children, much time and money is poured into these undercover schemes. The purpose of these Internet sex traps is to make a considerable amount of arrests in a short period of time, and the Internet has only helped police achieve the desired outcome.

Continue reading "Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer :: 20 Men Arrested in Tallahassee Child Sex Sting" »

Med-Care Diabetic and Medical Supplies Inc., based in Boca Raton, FL has fallen under intense scrutiny after a recent investigation into medical equipment suppliers has indicated signs of Medicare fraud.

The federal government is concerned that loopholes in the law and a lapse in management has allowed the Boca Raton company, and others like it, to exploit Medicare, resulting in tax payers footing the bill.

Democratic Missouri U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, who has opened a congressional investigation into the company, claims that these medical supply companies are harassing the elderly and their doctors through phone calls and unsolicited faxes for everything from diabetic testing materials to power scooters, even though the patients do not need these items. This is apparently a problem that has cost Medicare - and taxpayers - $27 billion over the past four years.

From 2009 to 2012, Medicare apparently paid $43 billion for medical equipment supplies such as back braces, sleep apnea monitors and power scooters. However, according to research by staffers of a Senate subcommittee on financial oversight lead by McCaskill, more than 60 percent of those payments - $27 billion to be exact - may have been improper. According to reports, the federal government has only been able to recover around 3 percent of overpayments.

The Boca Raton company was asked by McCaskill to testify before her subcommittee on April 24, but reports indicate that no one showed up. At this time, the senator is considering compelling testimony by subpoena on the grounds that because the company makes a profit on taxpayer money they are obligated to provide that information to the government.

Continue reading "Florida Criminal Defense Attorney :: Boca Raton Company Accused of Medicare Fraud Targeting Senior Citizens" »

Police are under investigation for jokingly filing in a witness statement in the name of a force dog.

Officers in the UK became exasperated when prosecutors asked for an account of a crime from a "PC Peach'" not realizing Peach was the name of a police dog. So they completed the form as if it had been written by the K-9, and signed it with a paw print.

The dog's statement read: 'I chase him. I bite him. Bad man. He tasty. Good boy. Good boy Peach.'

Peach's statement has gone viral on both cop humor pages on Facebook as well as Twitter, where it was retweeted over 150 times.

The prosecution, who usually works hand-in-hand with the police, did not find the prank as amusing, asking for an internal affairs investigation. It is unlikely that the officer involved will be penalized for this prank.

Joking aside, being charged with a crime is no laughing matter. The government has vast resources to not only investigate and target suspects, but to follow through with prosecution-- many times demanding prison time even in exchange for a guilty plea. The stakes are high; this is why it is important to have zealous Florida Criminal Defense Attorney fighting for your rights. At Whittel & Melton, our attorneys are all former prosecutors who know how the beat the prosecution at their own game.

We have represented clients charged with State and Federal drug charges, including: Drug Possession, Drug Cultivation, Drug Production, Drug Manufacturing, Grow House cases, Drug Trafficking, Intent to Distribute Drugs, Drug Distribution, Intent to Sell Drugs, Drug Sale or Drug Purchase and Obtaining Controlled Substance by Fraud. Due to our constant legal involvement in these types of drug arrests we are also prepared to defend your rights against any Asset Forfeiture or Asset Seizure by the government.

Our Florida Criminal Lawyers also handle all phases of Florida State and Federal economic or White Collar Criminal allegations including Fraud and Financial Crimes, Bank Fraud, Worthless check and Insurance Fraud, Money Laundering, Racketeering & RICO, Public Corruption, Arson, as well as the gamut of Florida Gun crimes. In addition, our Florida criminal law firm has experience handling more rare crimes such as Animal Abuse; Computer or Cyber Crimes, Child Pornography; and Manslaughter and Murder.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact us online or call 1-866-608-5LAW (5529) to discuss your case with an attorney.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Florida v. Harris, a case originating in Calhoun County circuit court. At issue was whether a K-9's alert could establish probable cause for a warrantless search of a car. Under review was the Florida Supreme Court's opinion that a K-9 alert could establish probable cause--but only after the Government produced a long litany of evidence during the suppression hearing to support the reliability of the K-9's training. The U.S. Supreme Court Justices, in a unanimous decision, disagreed with this exhaustive checklist, ruling it was inconsistent with a common sense approach to probable cause. Aldo, the drug-sniffing dog at the center of the case, was deemed reliable by the trial court and ultimately, the highest court upheld Mr. Harris' conviction for possessing pseudoephedrine for use in manufacturing methamphetamine.

In this case, an officer with a canine partner stopped a truck for a minor traffic violation, and sensed that the driver might be on drugs. Because the truck's driver refused to let the officer search the truck, the officer led Aldo around the exterior of the vehicle. The dog made movements that showed he smelled something suspicious on the driver-side door handle. Taking that as a signal that drugs were inside the truck, the officer checked out the interior, and found a stash of drug-making equipment.

Law Enforcement across Florida utilize trained dogs for a variety of law-enforcement tasks, including investigation in potential drug-trafficking cases. Dogs can be trained to react, by specific kinds of movements, sometimes called an alert, when they smell an odor that emanates from a stash of drugs. What is important to understand is that K-9s do not smell drugs; they smell odors. When they show that they have picked up the scent, that usually leads the police officers to follow up with a search to see if drugs are, in fact, present in such a spot. Normally, police can use a drug-sniffing dog without having to get a search warrant from a judge--especially if the officers are in the field and having to get a warrant would frustrate the investigation.

The impact of this ruling will be minimal, as it maintains the status quo in Florida. The Florida Supreme Court's ruling that was under review was in direct opposition to the law in 48 other states on this issue, and this opinion essentially aligns Florida with the rest of the United States. One upside for defendants is that the Supreme Court also held that the accused must have the opportunity in court to challenge the dependability of the training evidence and to test whether the police handler might have "cued" the dog to make an alert. Thus, the bottom line of the ruling was that the dog does not always win, if the accused individual can undercut its training record.

Have you been arrested for a drug related offense in Florida? Let us put our years of experience to work for you. Our Florida Criminal Attorneys are well-versed in search and seizure law and can fight to keep illegally obtained evidence out of court, many times, resulting in a dismissal or a favorable plea agreement.

Call us at toll-free at (866) 608-5529.

Investigative news reports are claiming that Florida is the new hotbed for tax identity fraud in the United States, concentrated mostly in Tampa and Miami.

According to the report, Miami has 46 times the per-capita rate of false tax refund claims than the rest of the country, and 70 times the national average in terms of dollars.

Florida's high proportion of older residents, who may be more vulnerable to fraud, may be one reason for the high levels of fraud in the state. Victims in Florida have varied from hospital patients, to Holocaust survivors at an elderly Jewish community center, as well as active duty military serving overseas.

Nationwide, the number of cases of tax identity theft detected by authorities sky-rocketed to more than 1.2 million cases in 2012 from only 48,000 in 2008, according to the Treasury Department.

The tax ID theft problem is particularly troubling to law enforcement, because unlike Medicare fraud, it is associated with violent crime and armed gangs.

For example, police records show that in 2010, Tampa police first detected an identity tax fraud scheme that was run by street criminals who were holed up in hotels with laptops churning out tax claims on Turbo Tax, the tax preparation software. The suspects had lists of personal information containing more than 1,000 names and confidential personal information, multiple re-loadable debit cards, and records of numerous financial transactions.

The schemes are very basic--all suspects need are a target's name and tax ID number and they can electronically file refund claim, making up other details on the form, including addresses, employer data, income and deductions.

The Feds are taking this crime very seriously. Last week, the IRS said that it is intensifying a crackdown on identify theft, with 3,000 agents devoted to tackling the problem, which is double the number assigned in 2011. Many times, these felonies result in prison time.

If you have been charged with a Florida Identity Theft, you need experienced attorneys to fight for your rights. The Florida Identity Theft Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are former prosecutors who know how the Florida criminal justice system works, and how to work the system for the best interests of their clients. Please call us today to discuss your case, the sooner you call us the sooner we can help you understand your options.

Call us toll free (866)608-5529
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We represent clients throughout the state of Florida.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Vero Beach, Florida couple, Richard and Susan Olive, for allegedly raising millions of dollars selling investments for a purported charitable organization while defrauding senior citizens and exaggerating the amount of contributions actually made to charity.

The SEC complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida, charges the Olives with aiding and abetting violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws as well as violations of the securities and broker-dealer registration provisions of the federal securities laws.

The SEC complaint against the Olives lays out a scheme where the Olives were hired at We The People Inc., a Tallahassee-based non-profit organization that obtained $75 million from more than 400 investors in Florida, Colorado, and Texas by selling an investment product they described as a charitable gift annuity (CGA). Allegations are that the CGAs issued by We The People differed from legitimately-issued CGAs-- namely that they were issued primarily to benefit the Olives and other third-party promoters and consultants. Only a small amount of the money raised was actually directed to charitable services. Meanwhile the Olives received more than $1.1 million in salary and commissions, and they also siphoned away investor funds for their personal use.

The SEC further alleges that the Olives lured elderly investors with limited investing experience into the scheme by making a number of false representations about the purported value and financial benefits of We The People's CGAs. The Olives also lied about the safety and security of the investments.

At one point, the SEC claims the group claimed to have donated $21.8 million toward initiatives for orphans with AIDS in Zambia, but We The People in fact made only a small payment to a third party that was shipping supplies to Africa.

Meanwhile, Mr. Olive is currently facing criminal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in federal court in Tennessee. In that case, he allegedly oversaw the National Foundation of America and obtained $20 million in another CGA plan. That case is ongoing.

According to the SEC's complaint against the Olives filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, investors were coaxed to transfer assets including stocks, annuities, real estate, and cash to We The People in exchange for a CGA. We The People claimed to operate as a non-profit organization while it was offering the CGAs from June 2008 to April 2012. However, We The People was not operating as a charity but instead for the primary purpose of issuing CGAs and using the proceeds to pay substantial sums to the Olives, third-party promoters, and consultants. On rare occasions when We The People did actually direct money raised toward charitable services, it was insignificant.

The SEC also filed separate complaints today against We The People as well as the company's in-house counsel William G. Reeves. They both agreed to settle the charges without admitting or denying the allegations. The settlements are subject to court approval. The SEC is seeking disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus pre- and post-judgment interest and financial penalties against the Olives.

Did you know that as a corporate executive, if you do not cooperate with an SEC investigation, you could lose your job? However, by testifying, you could strengthen the government's case against you--which could result in a criminal indictment. Before participating in any investigation, contact a Florida Securities Fraud Attorney at Whittel & Melton first. While losing your job can be distressing, prison time is far worse. We can help you determine the best solution for your unique situation, and create a strong defense strategy to combat the charges against you while protecting your future.

If you have found yourself the subject of a federal securities fraud investigation, contact a Florida Securities Fraud Lawyer at Whittel & Melton online or call us statewide and toll- free by dialing (866) 608-5529.

Gainesville, FL - The Alachua County Sheriff's Office arrested three men this weekend in an Internet sex sting, including the Risk Manager for a University of Florida fraternity and a mechanic.

The men, ages 20, 23 and 40, were taken into custody after allegedly engaging in online chats and agreeing to meet an underage girl for sex.

The sting, dubbed "Operation Nightlight," started Thursday and ended Sunday morning.

According to the sheriff's office, undercover detectives used unspecified chat forums to talk with the men.

Once they arrived at the predetermined locations, they were arrested immediately.

The 20-year-old fraternity member is accused of conversing with the father of a 14-year-old girl about engaging in sexual activity with the girl.

He is charged with two third-degree felonies and one second-degree felony.

The 23-year-old man was allegedly involved in a former sting called "Tailspin," but was never arrested because he did not actually show up at the arranged meeting spot. The man was arrested this time and charged with two second-degree felonies and three third-degree felonies. His bond is set at $250,000.

The 40-year-old mechanic is facing charges of one second-degree felony and two third-degree felonies. His bail is set at $75,000.

Internet sexual predator stings, like the one above, aim to protect underage children from online predators. Undercover detectives will place ads online or hang out in chat rooms and lure unsuspecting individuals into engaging in sexually explicit conversations. Once a location is agreed upon to meet at, the suspects will be placed under arrest as soon as they show up. The location of the decoy spot is usually never revealed so that police can use it again in future stings. These undercover operations can result in serious criminal charges so it is important to act fast and enlist the help of a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Sex crimes involving children are prosecuted quite aggressively in the state of Florida. All of the men arrested in "Operation Nightlight" face a second-degree felony charge, which if convicted, carries a maximum of 15 years in prison. These charges should never be taken lightly, as they can negatively impact a person's personal and professional life permanently. The repercussions of a felony sex crime charge can cost a person their job, get them kicked out of school and worse, brand them a sexual offender for the rest of their life.

Continue reading "Gainesville Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer :: Three Men Arrested in Online Predator Sting" »

A 56-year-old former child actor and voice of Charlie Brown in several "Peanuts" specials on television in the 1960s entered a plea of not guilty Wednesday to 12 felony counts of stalking and making criminal threats.

Peter Robbins is charged with threatening a former girlfriend and a La Jolla plastic surgeon that performed a breast augmentation on her. Police claim Robbins was upset with the way his girlfriend looked after the surgery and wanted his money back.

Robbins is accused of hitting his former girlfriend's dog after she refused to help him get his money back.

The plastic surgeon obtained a restraining order from the court three weeks ago to keep Robbins away from her and her family.

A San Diego judge set his bail at $550,000. A readiness hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22 and a preliminary hearing for March 22.

Robbins was the voice of Charlie Brown in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and other TV specials. He was also featured in the television shows "F Troop," "Get Smart" and "Rawhide."

Stalking refers to any continuous unwelcome contact from another person, and can include telephone calls, text messages, emails, physically following someone and even making violent threats. Stalking is a form of harassment that can embody many different crimes, and depending upon the facts of the alleged crime, the accused could be facing misdemeanor or felony charges.

Sadly, stalking allegations are often grossly exaggerated or completely false. Anyone can accuse someone of stalking - friends, neighbors, roommates, business associates and even ex-lovers. Some people accuse others of stalking after an intense argument or bad break up in order to seek revenge against the other person. Others may do so because they are just paranoid. Regardless, after accusations are made, the courts usually issue a restraining order to keep the accused away from the victim.

Depending on the circumstances, a person accused of stalking could face severe consequences such as imprisonment, lifelong restraining orders and hefty fines. Moreover, people accused of stalking often face additional charges such as threatening acts of criminal violence, trespassing, burglary and assault.

Continue reading "Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Voice of Charlie Brown Arrested for Stalking" »

Bartow, FL - A three-day undercover operation targeting online prostitution ads has resulted in dozens of people being arrested.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted the operation between January 10 and January 13. At the end of the sting, a total of 78 people were arrested, including a porn star and a police recruit.

Of those arrested, 31 have criminal histories, including nine registered felons. Deputies claim that one of those felons has been previously arrested 38 times in the Tampa Bay area.

According to detectives, those arrested for solicitation of prostitution either posted or responded to online advertisements offering sex. Many of those arrested face additional charges, including possession of drugs, aiding and abetting, escape, traffic offenses, battery on a law enforcement officer, violation of probation and failure to register as a sex offender.

In recent years, law enforcement agents throughout the state of Florida have increased their enforcement of solicitation for prostitution by conducting sting operations using police decoys. In fact, numerous time and resources are poured into undercover prostitution stings in hopes of making a considerable amount of arrests.
The Internet has only helped undercover detectives catch unsuspecting men and women engaging in or soliciting prostitution.

If you were arrested for prostitution anywhere in Florida, in order to receive the best possible outcome for your situation you must consult with a sex crimes defense lawyer immediately. The consequences attached to a prostitution offense can be harsh, even if this is your first arrest. A first-time conviction can result in up to 60 days in county jail. A second conviction can land you in jail for up to one year. A third or subsequent conviction for prostitution can be classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Along with time behind bars, a prostitution conviction can tarnish your good name within the community, wreck your personal relationships and limit future career options.

A Polk County Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton can look into your arrest and make sure police followed proper protocols. In these types of cases, there is always the possibility that you were the victim of police misconduct or entrapment, which can be used as a defense against the charges against you. We will advise you of your legal rights and make sure you fully understand the options available to you. We will exhaust every effort available to make sure you receive a successful outcome.

Continue reading "Bartow Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer :: Polk County Prostitution Sting Nets 78 Arrests" »

New Port Richey, FL - Pasco County deputies caught up with a man believed to be a suspect in an armed robbery of an Achieva Federal Credit Union branch just minutes after the robbery occurred on State Road 54.

According to a sheriff's office media release, a man entered the bank branch at 9:58 a.m. on Dec. 20, flashed a gun at the teller and left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Witnesses claim the man was driving a black Pontiac.

Deputies were able to catch up to the man a short time later and detained him for questioning.

Armed robbery is a very serious crime to be charged with, as the consequences of a conviction are quite harsh. Because armed robbery carries the potential to harm others, you will likely face maximum penalties if convicted in a court of law. When a person uses a weapon to commit a robbery, despite whether or not it is used, police, prosecutors and judges are quick to conclude that the accused intended to use that weapon.

In the state of Florida, armed robbery can be filed in one of two ways:

1. Strong Armed Robbery: a robbery involving the use of threats, force or violence. This charge is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying potential consequences of up to 15 years in state prison.

2. Armed Robbery: a robbery involving the use of a deadly weapon. Armed robbery is a first-degree felony, punishable by 30 years in prison.

Continue reading "New Port Richey Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Armed Bank Robbery Suspect Held by Police" »

Spring Hill, FL - A Hernando County woman has been arrested and charged with child abuse after a 9-year-old child left in her care got sick after allegedly consuming crack cocaine.

Hernando County Fire Rescue Officials arrived at the woman's home last week after the child began having convulsions.

The child was transported to a local hospital where blood tests apparently revealed the child had crack cocaine in the bloodstream.

Police claim the child ate a rock-like substance on Christmas Day. The child became sick shortly after.

The woman told deputies that the child had been in her care for five to seven days. Police claim the woman said the child probably found the crack and thought it was candy.

The Department of Children and Families took the child into custody.

A child abuse charge is taken quite seriously in the state of Florida and demands the immediate attention of a criminal defense attorney. In addition to potential time behind bars and hefty fines, a child abuse conviction can tarnish your good standing in the community, negatively impact your personal relationships and limit your future employment opportunities. Child abuse charges can arise from various forms of abuse, including physical maltreatment, emotional harm, sexual abuse and psychological damage. Any adult can be accused of this crime, including parents, foster parents, legal guardians, relatives and even baby-sitters.

If you are under investigation or have been arrested on child abuse charges, contact a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton right away. We advise you to limit who you discuss the facts of your case with, especially law enforcement officers. Be aware, anything you say to police can be used against you in court. It is in your best interest to remain silent until your attorney is present.

A Child Abuse Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can provide your case with the personalized attention it deserves. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to hear your side of the story and perform an extensive investigation into the allegations. We know from experience that many child abuse charges arise from spiteful family members or simple mistakes. We can work aggressively to convince prosecutors to reduce your charges or have them dropped altogether.

Continue reading "Spring Hill Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Woman Charged with Child Abuse After Child Eats Crack Cocaine" »