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Tampa Criminal Defense
Florida's Premier Criminal Defense Firm


Most Recent Blog Entries

Teen Drunk Driving – What’s A Parent To Do?

In March 2012 Kimberly McCarthy made headlines when she was arrested 3 times in 17 days for DUI. This 18-year-old certainly needs a criminal defense lawyer in Tampa. Her story is a wakeup call to parents everywhere to talk to their teens about the dangers of drinking and driving.

TIPS TO PREVENT TEEN DUI’S

Teenage drinking and driving carries serious consequences that range from legal troubles to potential accidents and even death. DUIs are expensive and can carry long lasting consequences for teenage and other drivers. Teens are just learning to drive and their risk of accidents is already high; adding alcohol to the mix just compounds the problem and results in an accident waiting to happen.…

YOUR FIRST DUI: WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

There’s firsts for everything, but not everyone wants to experience their first DUI arrest.  If you happen to see flashing blue and red lights in your rearview mirror and you know that you may be teetering above the legal limit, try not to panic.  Navigating through your first DUI isn’t going to be easy, but it isn’t the end of the world.  You’ll need a level head and the handful of practical steps to know what to do next.

Here’s a simple guide as to what to do if you’re in that hot seat, brought to you by the team here at Finebloom & Haenel who are seasoned DUI lawyers right here in Tampa, Florida.…

What are the drug possession laws?

In the State ofFlorida, drug charges are governed by Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes. In that statute, there is a list of drugs that the state considers to be illegal. The statute itself is very long and complex. But overall, it is illegal to possess marijuana or crack under any circumstance. It is illegal to possess any other drug without a legal prescription.

Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony depends on the type of dug and the amount you possess. Almost all drug possession charges are felonies.

If you have been charged with a drug charge you need to contact an experienced drug crime defense lawyer to discuss your case.…

10 Things to Look For in a Great DUI Lawyer

When it comes to the law, you will always want the best representative on your side – especially in the case of a drunk-driving charge. There are many DUI attorneys in Tampa, but not every one can achieve great results for you. A great DUI lawyer should have impeccable credentials and relative experience, but should also be a good fit for your personality.

Here are 10 things to consider as you hire a great DUI lawyer in Tampa:

1. Criminal defense lawyers should have criminal law experience. It’s unlikely that the same lawyer who drew up your will could defend a drunk-driving charge.…

What are the different types of felonies?

There are several categories of felonies:

  • Capital Felonies – are felonies punishable by death. The most common capital crimes are first degree murder and sexual battery on a person under 12 years of age.
  • Life Felonies – are felonies punishable by life in prison. A person must serve at least 30 years of a life sentence. Life felonies include sexual battery of a person over 12 years of age and felonies in which a firearm is discharged (such as robbery with a firearm).
  • First Degree Felonies – are punishable by up to 30 years in prison. A common first degree crime in burglary with an assault or battery.

    • …

How to find a qualified criminal defense attorney

In order to find a qualified Criminal Defense Attorney you should do a little research. Here are some factors to consider:

  1. Were you referred to the attorney by a trusted source? If a friend or co-worker recommends them, chances are there is a good reason.
  2. Does the attorney have any bar complaints? You can look up any attorney on the Florida Bar Website. If they have serious complaints or issues they will be listed on the site.
  3. Ask the attorney if they have experience with your type of case. Some attorneys practice in many different areas. They may have a family law practice and pick up the occasional criminal case but advertise themselves to be a criminal defense lawyer.

    4. …

How to beat a felony

The best way to beat a felony is not to get arrested. However, should you be arrested for a felony there are two very important things you must do:

#1 – DO NOT DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH ANYONE EXCEPT AN ATTORNEY!! All calls in the jail are recorded, and your “cellmate” will rat you out if it means getting a better deal. Only discuss your case with your attorney. If you tell anyone else anything the State will try to use what you said as evidence against you.

#2 – Hire an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney!! If you have been charged with a felony, you need a good lawyer to represent your interests.…

5 Ways to Have a Perfect Party – Without Driving Drunk

From Spring Break to Prom to graduation, the current season of fun can be just that – tons of fun. But it can also be trouble. A common offense during one of these occasions is a DUI. If this happens to you in the Tampa area, it’s time to talk with a top criminal defense attorney in Tampa. If you travel for your event, drunk driving poses a serious risk. But you can still enjoy your time and have a few drinks without going overboard. You just need to put to practice a few guidelines.

Ready? Here they are:

1.…

How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record?

A misdemeanor stays on your record forever unless you have it sealed or expunged. Even if you have the record sealed or expunged, law enforcement can access the record. But the general public can’t.

Having a misdemeanor record does not sound like a big deal. But some charges, such as petit theft, are considered crimes of dishonesty. These crimes can keep you from getting a job. Crimes such as simple or domestic battery or drug possession are misdemeanors that can keep you from getting professional licenses.

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor, make sure you hire an attorney to help protect your rights.…

How long does a felony stay on your record?

A felony stays on your record forever unless you are eligible to have the record sealed or expunged. Even if the record is sealed or expunged, law enforcement can access the record. But the general public can’t.

Most applications for jobs, housing or licenses ask the question “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?” If you say yes, they ask what year. This means even if the background check they perform does not go back as far as your arrest, they may still find out about your charge.

If you are convicted of a felony, you can petition to have your civil rights restored after 10 years.…

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