The Pros and Cons of an Open Plea to the Court
Plea bargains—when a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or receives a more lenient sentence in return for pleading guilty—are quite common in Florida criminal cases. Most plea bargains involve negotiations between the prosecution and the defense, leading to an agreement. However, another type of plea that defendants may consider is called the open […]
New Law: SB 184 Harassing First Responders
A new law creating a 25-foot “no-go” zone to prevent bystanders from harassing first responders is raising concern from activists and civil liberties groups, who say the measure is meant to discourage the public from documenting police misconduct. Legislators insist that the bill aims to protect first responders from interference by those seeking to monetize sensational videos […]
Getting the Best out of a Plea Bargain
In Florida, a plea bargain is a negotiation with the prosecutor for a deal that would let you plead guilty to a lesser charge so you get a more lenient sentence. Prosecutors like plea bargains (or plea offers) because they save them time, trouble, and expense. It’s a much easier way for them to obtain […]
Increased Penalties for Driving Without a License
“A person who drives without ever having been issued a valid driver license commits an offense of no valid driver license (NVDL) under s. 322.03, F.S.” Driving without a license in Florida is about to get a little more risky after the governor signed a law to increase penalties for repeat offenders. As it is, […]
Orlando Professional License Defense Lawyer: Licensure and a Criminal Record
Everyone makes mistakes, but if you hold a professional license in Florida—or apply for one—an arrest or criminal record can threaten your livelihood. So you need to talk to an Orlando professional license defense lawyer when you receive an administrative complaint or face an investigation from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The […]
New Immigration Laws in Florida: What You Need to Know
A series of new immigration laws in Florida cracking down on undocumented immigrants who commit crimes in Florida have recently gone into effect, sparking fear among immigrant communities. Immigrants in Orlando need to know that, in America, even undocumented aliens have rights. The immigration attorneys at the Rivas Law Firm work to defend the rights […]
Disorderly Conduct: Don’t Get Arrested on 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 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
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!
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 […]
