If police catch you leaving the scene of an accident for any reason in the state of Florida, you could face criminal charges. The circumstances surrounding the collision and the amount of damage it caused will determine if you face misdemeanor or felony charges. Pursuant to Florida law, you must not leave the scene of an accident under any circumstances. Although it is okay to pull over to the side of the road or drive a short distance so you can wait for first responders, you need to remain fairly close to the scene in order to fulfill your statutory duties regarding the collision. If you or one of your passengers needs emergency medical care, you can rely on an ambulance to reach you faster than you would reach the nearest hospital, so there is no need to leave the scene in such a scenario. Possible penalties for a hit and run conviction include prison, fines and court costs, probation,…Read More
The Broward Sheriff’s Office was serving a search warrant on a house. Prior to serving a search warrant, Florida Law requires that the police “knock and announce” their presence before entering the residence. The defense filied a Motion to Suppress alledging that the police did not knock and announce their presence. A hearing was held and the lead detective an the case testified that the SWAT team knocked on the door very loud … They yelled very loud, Broward Sheriff’s Office, SWAT Team, Search Warrant, Broward Sheriff’s Office, SWAT Team, and pretty much the whole team yelled it, not just the reachers, the person that is conducting the knock and announce … the person at the front knocked on the door, yelled Broward Sheriff’s Office, SWAT Team, search warrant. Then the rest of the team also repeats it so there is no way to misunderstand it. However, there is a video taken by the crew of the Police Women of…Read More
Failing to appear in court after you have received a summons, ticket or other court-ordered request could lead to the issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest. Similarly, if you have been charged with a misdemeanor, felony, or you have violated the terms of your parole, a judge may issue a bench warrant authorizing your arrest. Now, while you should be informed anytime a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest, this will not always be the case. You may not become aware of a bench warrant until it is too late and you have been placed under arrest. If you are under investigation for a criminal offense, or you suspect a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest, we strongly advise you consult with a DiRenzo & Weick criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. When you contact our firm, we will take the time to answer any questions you may have, determine whether or not…Read More
Florida courts take domestic violence seriously, but that does not mean you will automatically face felony charges if a family member has accused you of a crime involving domestic violence. A variety of factors ultimately determines whether domestic violence accusations will result in misdemeanor or felony charges. These factors include the circumstances surrounding the incident, whether a weapon was used, the severity of any injuries that the alleged victim sustained, your criminal record, and prior history of domestic violence. The penalties for a conviction will also depend on a variety of factors, including the age of the victim, severity of the injuries, and whether a weapon was involved to name a few. If you are facing criminal charges following an altercation with a family member, contact DiRenzo Defense. Unlike other law firms that practice multiple areas of law, we are solely dedicated to criminal defense. Call us to schedule a free case evaluation with a criminal attorney in Broward County.…Read More
A motion to recuse the judge assigned and having jurisdiction over a criminal matter must sufficiently alleged facts tending to establish that said judge is predisposed toward the state and against the defense. Many lawyers have a problem with the filing of motions to recuse due to the fact that they require local criminal defense lawyers to state publicly and on the record that the presider is incapable of being fair and impartial. Keep in mind that many of our local criminal defense attorney’s in Broward routinely socialize with the sitting criminal judiciary. Lawyers shy away from filing these motions and they shouldn’t claims. The fact is that when issues arise in criminal cases that may create an appearance of impropriety or unfairness, judges are quick to pass the case on to one of the other sitting judges. However, these motions should never be filled without an adequate basis. Frivolous motions to recuse will have a lasting effect on your…Read More
A big blow to the prosecution of drug cases in the State of Florida. A federal judge declared Florida’s drug statute unconstitutional as it lacks the element of intent. This means that thousands of drug cases could be lost throughout the State of Florida. Florida is the only state in the nation that does not require intent as an element of their drug crimes according to Criminal Defense Lawyers. For example, if a student who hides his cocaine in a friend’s backpack without telling him. The friend, having no idea cocaine is in his backpack, can be found guilty under the law even though he had no intent to possess cocaine and didn’t know it was there. The Judge simply restored the element of intent to Florida’s drug laws. This is to ensure that innocent conduct is not punished. If you are charged with a drug offense in Florida, please contact a Ft. Lauderdale Criminal attorney to determine how this…Read More
In the state of Florida, sobriety checkpoints are legal. That means police can pull over motorists without probable cause if the drivers pass through an established checkpoint, so long as certain policies and procedures are followed in establishing the checkpoint.. Even if you have not been drinking and driving, sobriety checkpoints can be nerve racking and stressful. Much of the evidence that police use to justify arresting someone for DUI is subjective, which means even sober motorists can find themselves on the wrong side of the law after passing through a DUI roadblock. According to USA TODAY, some Floridians have tried to protect themselves at sobriety checkpoints by keeping their windows rolled up and displaying essential documents, like their driver’s license, insurance card, and vehicle registration, through the glass. By not interacting with officers, these motorists are avoiding accusations of inebriation founded on purely subjective signs like slurred speech and the scent of alcohol on their breath. In order to…Read More
If you get a DUI conviction in the state of Florida, the resulting penalties could have a resounding impact on all aspects of your life. Potential penalties include fines, community service, probation, imprisonment, vehicle impoundment, and license suspension. Any one of these penalties could affect your ability to provide for your family, so fighting DUI charges is always worth the effort. Even if the prosecutor seems to have substantial evidence against you, your attorney may still be able to devise a defense strategy that results in reduced penalties, lesser charges, or an outright dismissal of your case. If you are facing DUI charges and you are not sure how to proceed, turn to DiRenzo Defense. Our attorneys have defended thousands of clients who faced criminal charges, and we will relentlessly fight for the best possible outcome for your case. Call (954) 338-7878 to schedule a free consultation with a DUI attorney in Fort Lauderdale. Read on to learn about four…Read More
If you have not made any plans for ringing in 2018, now is the time to start thinking about whom you want to spend it with and what you want to be doing when the clock strikes midnight. The New Year will be here before you know it, and along with it the fresh start that most people aim to take advantage of by making resolutions. Unfortunately, those who fail to arrange for transportation after their evening out may end up spending January 1 in jail, which is essentially the furthest you can get from starting off the year on the right foot. According to the New York Times, New Year’s Day is one of the most dangerous days of the year in regard to drunk driving collisions. As a result, law enforcement personnel all over the country are on high alert. Although they are only trying to keep the roads safe for everyone, overzealous officers can end up arresting…Read More
Florida law enforcement officials take sex crimes extremely seriously. In fact, anyone convicted of a sex crime in Fort Lauderdale, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, can expect to face harsh penalties and the life-long stigma that follows a convicted sex offender or predator. There is a difference, however, between a sexual offender and a sexual predator. A sexual offender is an individual who has been convicted of a sex offense and who has been released after October 1, 1997, from the sanctions imposed as a result of their conviction. These types of offenses can include sexual battery, child pornography, kidnapping, the procurement of a minor under the age of 18 for prostitution, sexual performance by a child, and more. A sexual predator is an individual who has been convicted of one first- or two second-degree felony sex crimes on or after October 1, 1993. The court must also issue a written order in order for an individual…Read More
