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 […]
Winning Early Termination of Probation in Florida
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
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 (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
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
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 […]
Controversial Pursuit of the Death Penalty in Sexual Battery Cases in Florida
A Lake County man is facing the death penalty under a new Florida law that allows for capital punishment for defendants found guilty of raping children under the age of twelve. Anyone younger than 16 years old cannot legally consent to have sex. The case involves Joseph Andrew Giampa, a 36-year-old man indicted on multiple […]
Dividing Property in Divorce
Orlando Divorce Lawyer on Questions About Dividing Assets Questions of assets and liabilities in a divorce can be complex and emotionally charged, making it essential to have a clear understanding of the process of dividing property in divorce. Here are answers to some common questions from the experienced and aggressive Orlando divorce attorneys at the […]
