When someone dies because of another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, Florida law provides a mechanism for the deceased person’s family to seek compensation. The Florida Wrongful Death Act — codified in Florida Statutes §§ 768.16 through 768.26 — governs who can bring a wrongful death claim, which family members are entitled to recover,
A conviction does not necessarily end the legal fight. Florida law provides multiple avenues for challenging a conviction after the trial court proceedings are over — both through the direct appeal process and through postconviction motions that can be filed even after appeals are exhausted. Understanding the difference between these remedies, the deadlines that govern
Appeals and Postconviction Relief in Florida: Direct Appeal, Rule 3.850, and Deadlines Read More »
Slip and fall cases in Florida are governed by a specific statutory framework that places important obligations on both property owners and injured persons. Under Florida law, whether a business owner is liable for a slip and fall depends not just on whether a dangerous condition existed, but on whether the owner knew — or
Truck accidents are not like car accidents — and the legal cases that follow them are not like typical car accident cases either. Commercial trucking involves a web of federal regulations, complex evidence sources, and multiple potentially liable parties that simply do not exist in a collision between two passenger vehicles. When a semi-truck, tractor-trailer,
The moments immediately following a car accident in Tampa Bay can be disorienting, but what you do — and what you fail to do — in that window of time has real consequences for your health and for any insurance claim or lawsuit that may follow. Florida law has specific rules that affect your rights
What to Do After a Car Accident in Tampa Bay: Evidence, Medical Care, PIP, and BI Claims Read More »
Battery charges in Florida range from a first-degree misdemeanor all the way to a second-degree felony, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense. The difference between simple battery, felony battery, and aggravated battery is not just a matter of degree — it determines whether you are facing up to one year in jail or
Battery vs. Aggravated Battery in Florida: What’s the Difference? Read More »
Florida classifies felony offenses into four levels of severity, each carrying a different maximum sentence and triggering different sentencing considerations. Whether a charge is a third-degree felony or a life felony is not just a label — it determines the range of punishment, how the offense is treated on the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet, and
One of the most common misconceptions in Florida criminal law is that a victim can “press charges” or “drop charges” — as if the decision to prosecute belongs to the person who was allegedly harmed. It does not. In Florida, criminal charges are brought by the State of Florida, not by the victim, and the
Can a Florida Criminal Charge Be Dropped if the Victim Does Not Want to Prosecute? Read More »
The relationship between marijuana odor and probable cause for a vehicle search in Florida has shifted significantly in recent years, and understanding the current legal landscape is important for anyone who encounters law enforcement on Florida’s roads. Florida voters approved recreational marijuana legalization through Amendment 3 in November 2024, and courts have since grappled with
Can Police Search Your Car in Florida After Smelling Marijuana? 2026 Update Read More »
A first DUI in Florida is a serious matter, but it does not have to define the rest of your life. Florida law imposes real penalties — including fines, a license revocation, and the possibility of probation or even jail — but there are also paths through a first offense that can minimize long-term consequences,
First DUI in Florida: Penalties, License Issues, Diversion, and What Comes Next Read More »
