Disorderly Conduct: Don’t Get Arrested on Spring Break

disorderly conduct arrested spring break

With law enforcement promising a crack-down, it may be a good time to brush up on disorderly conduct and how to avoid getting arrested on Spring Break. You don’t go to Spring Break in Orlando or Daytona expecting to get hauled in for assault charges, sex crimes, shoplifting, or a DUI. But those are the […]

Defending Against Solicitation of Prostitution Charges in Florida

solicitation of prostitution, solicitin a prostitute

Solicitation of Prostitution Defense Law enforcement has arrested hundreds of people for Solicitation of Prostitution charges in recent sting operations in Central Florida. If you’ve been arrested for soliciting a prostitute, it is essential to understand the gravity of the charges and seek immediate legal representation. At the Rivas Law Firm, our experienced Orlando Criminal […]

Shooting or Throwing a Deadly Missile

throwing a deadly missile

You can get charged with “Shooting or throwing a deadly missile” in Florida for just chucking something hard at someone with the intent of doing harm, like the guy who got arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol for hurling an empty salsa jar at another vehicle during a road rage incident. The term ‘missile’ could […]

Arrested at The Airport: Call Rivas Law!

arrested at the airport attorney

Getting arrested at the airport isn’t so hard to do these days because airports are hyper-secure locations. In the interest of public safety, all sorts of law enforcement are watching everyone’s every move. Anyone entering airport property is subject to an extra level of scrutiny, and if you violate any of the very strict rules […]

Winning Early Termination of Probation in Florida

Early termination of probation

If you’ve been sentenced to probation in Florida instead of jail or prison, or if it’s part of your sentence after serving time, you may be eligible for Early Termination of Probation. While court-mandated supervision is preferable to lock-up, life on probation can be difficult and frustrating. Regular reporting in, mandatory counseling, drug and alcohol […]

4th Amendment, Gun Charges, and Probable Cause Defense

probable cause gun charges

Determining whether the police had “probable cause” to arrest you on gun charges can sometimes help your defense attorney get the case against you dismissed. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution forbids law enforcement from conducting “unreasonable searches and seizures.” That means that police generally cannot stop someone, conduct a search, or make an arrest […]

Florida’s Red Flag Law: Risk Protection Order

risk protection order, guns, red flag law

Risk Protection Order (RPO) Attorneys and Gun Laws A Risk Protection Order (RPO) in Florida is a court order designed to temporarily prevent individuals at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms and ammunition. The RPO, also known as a Red Flag Law, can only be requested by a law enforcement officer […]

Florida’s New Pretrial Detention Laws Make it Harder to Bond out of Jail

pretrial detention bond hearing

Florida’s new pretrial detention laws, enacted as part of the state’s “tough on crime” initiative, are adding to the chaos in the court system and could wind up keeping even more people in already crowded jails. Pretrial detention refers to the period of incarceration after an arrest but before a trial. Traditionally, most defendants were […]

Tough New Fentanyl Trafficking Penalties

Recently enacted Florida drug laws impose higher mandatory minimum sentences and increased punishment for a wide range of drug possession and trafficking charges. The newly revised legislation, Florida Statute 893.135, has a special section ramping up penalties for “trafficking in dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogs,” especially so-called “rainbow” fentanyl products that resemble candy. Those arrested […]

Alcohol and Vape Sales to Minors

Alcohol and Vape Sales to Minors

A recent crackdown on convenience stores that make alcohol and vape sales to minors has led to charges for several Central Florida residents. Police in Lake County made multiple arrests during an undercover operation that targeted more than 70 stores. Police say that clerks at most convenience stores did not ask for ID, or went […]