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Tampa Criminal Defense
Florida's Premier Criminal Defense Firm

Recent Posts in criminal record Category

July 26, 2010

Sarasota Criminal Courts – Those Arrested In Sarasota Face A Tougher Road To Getting Out Of Jail

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

A recent study referenced in the Sarasota Herald Tribune found people arrested in Sarasota County have a harder time being released from jail following an arrest compared to arrestees nationwide. According to Florida law judges are supposed to use the least restrictive conditions on an arrestee to make sure that person appears in court while balancing the safety of the community. According to the study, defendants in Sarasota usually have to post a commercial bond twice as often as the national average.

Following a Sarasota arrest, defendants are less likely to get out of jail on their own recognizance even when it comes to first-time offenders of those arrested for DUI. According to the study the reason for this is fear. The paper says that according to this study judges are scared of losing their spot on the bench if they release a defendant who goes on to commit another crime following his or her release.

Defense attorneys argue that the restricting a defendant’s ability to be released following an arrest can hurt the person’s employment and ability to provide for children and families without ever being convicted of a crime. The study cites a famous Sarasota case where a 12-year-old was abducted, raped and murdered by a man that was released following a crime in Sarasota but 12th Circuit Chief Judge Lee Haworth who was quoted in Todd Ruger’s story said he didn’t believe that had anything to do with the statistics cited in the study.

U.S. Department of Justice statistics show that 40% of the time those who are released from jail before trial either have the charges against them dropped or they are acquitted.  The numbers from the Pretrial Justice Institute are even more eye opening. According to their figures 61% of Sarasota defendants post a pre-trial bond compared to 37% of defendants nationwide. Nationally 26% of defendants are released on their own recognizance compared to just 3% in Sarasota. Chief Judge Haworth was quoted in the article. He said judges receive background checks for every new inmate giving them accurate information to make those pretrial judgments.

Continue Reading Sarasota Criminal Courts – Those Arrested In Sarasota Face A Tougher Road To Getting Out Of Jail »
June 28, 2010

Sarasota Arrest Warrant – Man Wanted For Probation Violation Leads Sarasota Sheriff’s On Three High-Speed Chases

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Sarasota Lawyer

Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies needed three high speed chases to catch a man who had a Florida arrest warrant for a probation violation in connection with a domestic violence charge. Issa M. Alyan led police on three chases in a two-day span after they originally found the 54-year-old off a secluded road with a woman Friday night. Deputies asked for his driver’s license and while they were investigating Alyan took off leading police on a high-speed chase that was called off by a supervisor. An hour later the same thing happened again when Alyan’s Jeep was spotted once again.

Police were still in possession of the man’s ID so they ran his information and discovered he had a Florida arrest warrant in his name. At this point police found the man’s Jeep once again near Alyan’s home and once again he led sheriffs on a high-speed chase through the streets of Sarasota. He led deputies along Bee Ridge Road and State Road 72. He eventually drove into a gated community crashing through the mechanical gates that protect the entrance.

Alyan headed to the Heritage Oaks Country Club and drove through resident’s yards before being forced off the road. Once he was apprehended Alyan complained of chest pains and was taken to the hospital in Sarasota. A Sheriff’s deputy was injured as well and taken to the hospital. There were no details in the TBO.com story concerning how the deputy suffered his injuries.

On top of his arrest warrant for the violation of probation on the domestic violence charge, Alayn is now facing charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and three counts of fleeing and eluding.

Continue Reading Sarasota Arrest Warrant – Man Wanted For Probation Violation Leads Sarasota Sheriff’s On Three High-Speed Chases »
May 19, 2010

Tampa Defense Attorney News – Did ‘Hyde Park Rapist’ Really Violate His Probation Leading To His Arrest?

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Tampa Criminal Attorney

The probation violation that led to the arrest of the man known as the ‘Hyde Park Rapist’ should not hold up in court nor should his subsequent arrest according to Bobby Joe Helms’ Tampa Criminal Defense attorney. Helms’ lawyer told 10 Connects that his parole for 12 Tampa rapes and four other attempted rapes in the 1980’s expired in 2006 making the latest arrest of Helms that started as a stop for a probation violation invalid.

Helms has been in jail in Hillsborough County for almost a year. He was originally arrested following a traffic stop based on a tip he had a 17-year-old girl in his car. The arrest was based on the fact that Helms was told to stay away from the girl by his probation officer. His lawyer argued that even if Helms was still on probation there were no terms forbidding him to have contact with minors and that a probation officer cannot make up terms to add on to his probation.

If the defense attorney is right, then Helms should not be sitting in jail. According to the story on WTSP.com Helms had complied with the terms of his parole and never had committed a violation of his probation as reported by the Brevard County Sheriff’s. They had no reported problems with Helms up until last June. At that time there were reports of the 52-year-old having contact with area teenagers.

At the time of the traffic stop that led to his arrest, police did report finding Helms’ in possession of what may be illegal prescription drugs. Helms had a suspicious amount of painkillers and police suspect he may be involved in doctor shopping and prescription fraud. Authorities believe he was trying to illegally acquire Oxycodone and Xanax, which they say also violates the terms of his probation.

Continue Reading Tampa Defense Attorney News – Did ‘Hyde Park Rapist’ Really Violate His Probation Leading To His Arrest? »
May 12, 2010

Tampa Criminal News – High Speed Chase From Tampa To St. Pete May Result In DUI Drug Charges

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Tampa Criminal Lawyers

A man known as Pop Daddy led police on a high-speed chase from Tampa to St. Petersburg before being arrested on drug possession and fleeing and eluding charges. Artez Leon Hooker fled police on I-275 in Tampa in A BMW convertible driving so fast at times that the police helicopter tracking him couldn’t keep up with the car’s speed. Hooker was eventually found in St. Petersburg after abandoning his car.

According to police reports and a story on TampaBay.com, the chase began at 3:00 a.m. when Hooker was spotted running red lights on Tampa’s Armenia Avenue. Police then attempted to pull Hooker over in his 2004 BMW but he took off at speeds of 120 M.P.H. amid I-275 traffic. He eventually turned off his lights to avoid being caught, abandoned his car and hid in a staircase. The police helicopter was able to track Hooker and lead police on the ground to his location.

Hooker was arrested on felony fleeing and eluding charges and was then also hit with drug charges when police discovered marijuana in the backseat of the police car where Hooker was being held. Although he was not charged with DUI police noted in their arrest report that Hooker seemed to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

Hooker has a long history of arrests according to TampaBay.com including charges of reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and cocaine possession. As a juvenile Hooker was arrested on numerous charges including robbery and also he was connected to the shooting of a man. Hooker allegedly shot a man three times after an altercation in which his bicycle was cut off.  He was found guilty of aggravated assault and sentenced to three years.

Continue Reading Tampa Criminal News – High Speed Chase From Tampa To St. Pete May Result In DUI Drug Charges »
April 23, 2010

Clearwater Hit And Run – Man Convicted Twice For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Charged With A Third

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Pinellas County Attorneys

Clayton J. Harrison has been convicted twice for leaving the scene of an accident and he is now looking at a third hit-and-run charge following an accident in Clearwater that may result in DUI charges as well. The 49-year-old was arrested this week for his involvement in an accident on U.S. 19. Harrison is accused of driving the wrong way on the major road and causing an accident with injuries and then fleeing.

The St. Petersburg Times reports Harrison had a blood-alcohol level of 0.352 according to blood tests yet it is not clear in the article whether or not the man was charged with DUI on top of leaving the scene of an accident. This is not the first time Harrison has been in need of a criminal defense attorney in Pinellas County. In 2000 Harrison was convicted of DUI after being involved in another hit and run crash. He received one year probation following that charge. In 1987 he received six months probation following hit and run crash with injury.

At the scene of his most recent accident police report Harrison was barely able to stand. He was taken to a local hospital and that is where a blood sample was taken. He was cited for leaving the scene at that point as he tried to flee following the crash. Clearwater police report that Harrison hit three vehicles. The last truck he hit ended up with his car lodged and his engine revving to try and escape.

The accident took place March 18 but Harrison was not arrested until this week. Part of the reason according to Clearwater police was that they were waiting the results of the blood test. Harrison has been released from Pinellas County Jail on $5,500 bail.

Continue Reading Clearwater Hit And Run – Man Convicted Twice For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Charged With A Third »
April 20, 2010

Golfer Charged With Assault After Swinging Club At Man For Not Playing Fast Enough

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

A golf course argument has led to the arrest of a Florida golfer. According to ABC Action News, Brian R. Smith has been charged with aggravated assault for swinging his club at  his golf partner who Smith accused of not playing fast enough. According to the alleged victim, the golf club was swung right near his head while he was sitting in a golf cart.

Assualt And Battery Lawyers In Florida

Police reports have Smith claiming he was swinging his club at the golf cart and not at the man sitting in the cart but investigators felt there was enough evidence to arrest the man on assault charges. The incident took place at Summerfield Golf Club in Martin County. There was no indication what type of club was used in the alleged crime.

Continue Reading Golfer Charged With Assault After Swinging Club At Man For Not Playing Fast Enough »
March 15, 2010

Man Hides Baby In Bushes Outside Of Universal Studios As He Searches For Drunk Mother

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

A father who has several prior arrests including a 2006 charge for
DUI
was back in jail after leaving his four-month-old baby in the bushes
outside of Universal Studios while he went looking for the baby’s drunk
mother. Charles Gohde was charged with child neglect and taken to Orange County Jail. His girlfriend, and the mother of the baby, was not charged.

According to the Orlando Sentinel both Gohde and his girlfriend,
Ashley Gaskin, arrived in the security office at Universal Studios with
no idea where their baby was located. The four-month-old was discovered
by a Universal employee in its stroller in some bushes. The infant was
apparently left alone for about two hours. Police suspect both Gaskin
and Ghode had been drinking.

Continue Reading Man Hides Baby In Bushes Outside Of Universal Studios As He Searches For Drunk Mother »
March 10, 2010

Tampa Sex Offender Back In Jail For Probation Violation

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

David Lovette is back in jail after a probation violation in Tampa. The 50-year-old is charged with violating his probation for a sexual battery by not updating his new address on his driver’s license. Not having an updated address on a driver’s license is a violation of Lovette’s probation and a crime for sexual predators.

According to TampaBay.com Lovette ran when officers tried to arrest him. He allegedly refused an officer’s command to stop and was eventually shot with a Taser. Lovette was taken to Hillsborough County jail and charged with probation violation, failure to register as a sex offender and resisiting arrest without violence. There is no mention of whether he is being represented by a Tampa Criminal Attorney.

Continue Reading Tampa Sex Offender Back In Jail For Probation Violation »
March 9, 2010

Man Leaves Jail After Suspended License Arrest And Is Then Gunned Down In Dade City

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Armando Uribe, Jr. was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended license and spent 10 days in jail. After he was released from Land O’Lakes jail Sunday, he was found dead early Tuesday morning lying in a Pasco County street with a gunshot wound.

Uribe has been arrested in Pasco County previously on charges of domestic battery, drug possession and failing to appear in court. The death has been ruled a homicide by sheriff’s deputies but no suspect’s names have been released as of yet according to TBO.com. The 39-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Continue Reading Man Leaves Jail After Suspended License Arrest And Is Then Gunned Down In Dade City »
March 9, 2010

Manhunt Ends For Holiday Man Facing Cocaine, Battery And Possible Attempted Murder Charges

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Tarenzo Ladarius Smith is going to need a good Pinellas Criminal Attorney because it seems like the 20-year-old is going to need one according to TampaBay.com. Smith was arrested following a manhunt that spanned Pasco and Pinellas counties and included a helicopter and a K-9 unit. He was wanted on warrants for sale of cocaine and a battery charge. The article also states that Smith is wanted by Tarpon Springs police in connection to an attempted murder in Pasco County.

Smith has a long record that started with a domestic battery charge at the age of 12. He was arrested in Pasco County a few years later on another battery charge. There are also arrests for possession of marijuana and cocaine and armed burglary according to records in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. He was booked into Pinellas County jail.

Continue Reading Manhunt Ends For Holiday Man Facing Cocaine, Battery And Possible Attempted Murder Charges »
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