Sending or Receiving Drugs by Mail
Since many states have decriminalized marijuana, it may not seem that risky these days to mail some weed to a friend. But under federal law, cannabis is still a controlled substance, and there are harsh penalties for sending illicit drugs through the U.S. Postal Service. And because of the recent dramatic rise in drug overdose […]
DUI with Property Damage
The amount of trouble you can get into for being charged with a DUI in Florida depends on your level of impairment and whether there were aggravating circumstances. The Driving under the influence law makes it illegal for anyone with a minimum Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) of .08 or more to operate a motor vehicle. […]
School Shooting Threats: The Copycat Effect
Following every school shooting, a wave of copycat threats inevitably reverberates across the country like an aftershock of the tragedy. Scores of teens–sometimes children–find themselves facing serious charges after posting a menacing message on social media. For most, it’s a hoax or a prank, giving in to a reckless impulse to wreak some havoc. But […]
Florida Fentanyl Overdose Case: West Point Cadets Face Consequences
While drug users who overdose are seldom charged with a crime, law enforcement will go to great lengths to prosecute the person who supplied the victim with illicit substances. In the case of the West Point cadets who overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl while on spring break in Florida, both the supplier and the […]
Motion to Suppress: Miranda Warnings in the Anthony Todt Case
When police showed up to arrest Anthony Todt on fraud charges at his Celebration, Fl home on January 13, 2020, he looked to be in pretty rough shape. Officers noted that Todt “could barely stand and appeared to be shaking.” They called an ambulance. Todt told paramedics that he had tried to kill himself by […]
Disabled Teen ARRESTED At School For Not Wearing Mask, Mother Plans To Sue
The Rivas Law Firm has been retained to represent the teenage son of Mrs. Alex Rodriguez, AP, a 16 year old young man who was wrongfully arrested for not wearing a mask. On September 17, 2020 AP was attending school at Winter Springs High School in Seminole County, Florida. AP has difficulty breathing due to […]
Defendant was charged with felony level driving with a suspended license
Case: STATE V. K.P. Charges: The defendant was stopped while driving for having a license tag where the registration date was obscured. The officer ran his driver license information, and defendant was charged with felony level driving with a suspended license. Summary: Prior to trial, the defense successfully suppressed all evidence of the suspended license […]
Charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.
Case: STATE V. J.W. Charges: The defendant collided with a shopping center column while driving and was injured. He managed to walk to his nearby home to call 911. The defendant was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. Summary: The defense argued to the state that the defendant has to […]
Charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Case: STATE V. T.M. Charges: Law enforcement pulled the defendant over for failing to stop his vehicle before a stop bar at an intersection. The defendant gave permission to search his car and his person. A baggie of marijuana was found. The defendant was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Summary: […]
Charged with cultivating marijuana in a grow house.
Case: STATE V. O.R. Charges: The defendant was charged with cultivating marijuana in a grow house. The house was under surveillance, and a search warrant revealed evidence creating a solid case for the state. The defendant faced up to five years in prison and an adjudication of guilt. Summary: Due to effective representation by the […]
