Hillsborough County

Published on: September 11, 2008

From Gainesville to Ocala to Tampa – Florida CDL Drivers Beware of New DHSMV Rules

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Florida DMV Offices already hold CDL drivers to a high standard – and that standard just got higher.

Starting October 1st, commercial driver license holders convicted of a DUI will be ineligible to drive a commercial vehicle for 12 months after the first conviction and will be permanently suspended after a second conviction. This new rule also applies even if when the DUI was received in a personal vehicle of the CDL holder.

DHSMV already forbids CDL holders from obtaining temporary permits during the DUI Formal Review process. This new rule is just another example of how the State of Florida holds CDL drivers to a higher standard than the other millions of drivers on Florida’s highways.

Published on: August 22, 2008

Tampa Judge Sentences Con Artist to 30 Years Florida State Prison for Violation of Probation

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tampa, Florida Circuit Court Judge Daniel Perry sentenced a man to the maximum 30 years of Florida State Prison and included as a term of his probation, restitution in the amount of approximately $60,000, according to Tampa Tribune’s Kevin Graham.

Florida has long been considered one of the most punitive states in the union for several reasons. The foremost being the way in which it deals with Violations of Probation. Not only are the violation of probation hearings void of any 5th amendment rights to silence and often very quick, but the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure require far less proof than the usual burden of beyond a reasonable doubt.

In this case, the defendant clearly offended the court by the nature in which he violated probation. The original criminal fraud case alleged that he defrauded over $400,000 from area residents. The violation of probation allegation was that during his probation he was witnessed claiming to be the grandson of Frank Sinatra and in need of small loans due to a banking error. These scams were alleged to have taken place in cities like Austin, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Published on: August 5, 2008

Tampa Feds Charge Gotti with Drug Trafficking and Murder

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Today, former Gambino crime family head John Gotti, Jr.–aka “Junior Gotti” and son of John Gotti – was arrested for racketeering, cocaine trafficking and murder in relation to a Tampa, Florida FBI probe. Kevin Graham and Rebecca Catalanello of the St. Petersburg Times report that the federal indictment, filed in the Middle District of Florida, is a result of facts uncovered by authorities during a 2006 Tampa racketeering trial.

At a press conference, federal officials said that the trial will be held in Tampa and that the charges against Gotti and five others are evidence of the Gambino family’s attempt to get a “foothold” in the Tampa area. Gotti appeared this afternoon in front of a judge who denied bail. If convicted, Gotti could be sentenced to life in prison.

The attorneys at Whittel & Melton, LLC have experience in fighting state and federal drug trafficking cases. If you have been charged with a drug offense, please contact us for a consultation.