Gun Crimes

March 29, 2012

How Social Media could Negatively Impact your Criminal Case

As a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer I work zealously to represent my clients and provide the best defense possible, given their current situation. However, my job is complicated when Social Media Sites are utilized by the State Attorney’s Office to prove their case. A recent example of Social Media negatively impacting a Florida Criminal Case occurred Brevard County.

Convicted Felon, Christopher Wharf, was arrested last Thursday for possession of a Firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession or use of a weapon while under indictment. How do you ask he was arrested for such crimes? Pictures and Videos posted on Facebook!! No the police did not arrive while he was firing the weapon, or actually see him in physical control. But, since pictures and video clearly show Wharf with a weapon and discharging said weapon, the Criminal Defense Attorney has a huge burden to overcome.

As a Criminal Defense Attorney in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau Counties I advise them about the availability of Social Media Sites information to the State Attorney and the negative impact that could have on one’s Florida Criminal Case. This is a prime example of this advice. Who knows if the Police would have discovered Wharf’s extracurricular activities if he had not posted pictures and videos of his activities on the Internet, especially Facebook.

March 28, 2012

What could Happen if I file a False Jacksonville Police Report?

by David M. Goldman

As a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer I hear about a multitude of Criminal issues and I am not surprised all that often. However, I have recently been overwhelmed with the amount of inquiries concerning the filing of False Jacksonville Police Reports. This action, when taken, can lead to serious penalties for the wrongly accused and the person filing the report. Most people I speak to do not realize the severity of their actions and were just angry, jealous, or upset when making the report. But, their actions have now led to an arrest and possible conviction of an innocent Criminal Defendant.

Florida Statute § 817.49 defines the crime of filing a false police report. It reads, “whoever willfully imparts, conveys or causes to be imparted or conveyed to any law enforcement officer false information or reports concerning the alleged commission of any crime under the laws of this state, knowing such information or report to be false, in that no such crime had actually been committed, shall upon conviction thereof be guilty.” Filing a False Jacksonville Police Report is a first-degree misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines not exceeding $1,000.

As a Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau County Criminal Defense Lawyer people who file false police reports only make my representation of Criminal Defendants more complicated. Therefore, next time you are angry, upset, or jealous of another, think twice before deciding to file a false police report. It could end negatively for all parties involved. So, if you are facing a Jacksonville, Duval, St. Johns, Clay, or Nassau County Criminal Charge and believe the accusations are false, contact a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer today. That decision could prove to be invaluable in your case.

March 26, 2012

What Occurs at a First Appearance?

by David M. Goldman

Jacksonville Arrests occur all the time and when you caught of guard and arrested by the Jacksonville Police, you may not know what to do or say. That is why the advice and counsel of a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer could prove to be invaluable. In Jacksonville, first appearance court (also known as bond hearing), most Jacksonville Criminal Defendants will not be represented by a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer. Under Florida law, a Jacksonville Criminal Defendant is entitled to appear before a judge within 24 hours of his arrest. Due to this Florida law, Duval County first appearance court is held twice a day, every day.

As a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer, I have seen many Jacksonville Criminal Defendants stand before a judge without representation. Although there is a Jacksonville Public Defender present in the room, this is only one Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer to represent all the Jacksonville Criminal Defendants for day. It is not possible for a Jacksonville Criminal Attorney to zealously and adequately represent that many Jacksonville Criminal Defendants at one time.

That is why Jacksonville Criminal Defendants who hire a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer to represent them at their bond hearing have the benefit of one lawyer for just one client. Also, an experienced Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer will give the judge favorable and valuable information about the Jacksonville Criminal Defendant to the judge at the bond hearing. This evidence will allow the judge to consider these mitigating factors in hopes of lowering the bond or releasing the Jacksonville Criminal Defendant on ROR.

March 23, 2012

I was arrested, What is going to happen?

by David M. Goldman

As a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer most of my clients call me after they have been arrested in Jacksonville, Clay County, Nassau County, or the surrounding area. An arrest in Jacksonville, Clay, St. Augustine, or Nassau County can happen in one of two ways. The first way is the traditional arrest, that we all know of or have seen, that involves being placed in handcuffs and take to the local Florida Police Station. However, as an alternative, the officer can just issue a Notice to Appear and let you go on your way. A Notice to Appear is a piece of paper that acts as an arrest, but you are not actually taken into custody by the Jacksonville, Clay, or Nassau Police. You will have to make a court date to address the criminal charge in Jacksonville. A notice to appear is normally issued to people who have never been in trouble before and is up to the police discretion.

If you have been arrested in Jacksonville, Clay, or Nassau County you will be taken to a pretrial detention center. Once at the pretrial detention center, you will be searched, fingerprinted and seen by a jail nurse. Once your medical evaluation is over, you will be told to change into the jail clothes and put on one of six floors at the jail.

While in detention, before your first appearance before the judge, the police may try to interrogate you and try to gain valuable information in proving their case. However, you have the right to remain silent and as a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer I strongly advise you to exercise that right. As a Jacksonville, Clay, or Nassau Criminal Defendant, you must remember that the police are not there to help you, they are there to justify their arrest. When approached by the police at the pretrial detention center, ask to speak to a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer and don’t say anything else to the police. It could prove to be the difference between a conviction and having the charges dropped.

So what could Bell, the Jacksonville Criminal Defendant, be facing? Potentially, he could be convicted of first-degree murder. Unless the State fails to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt or the Defense Attorney establishes mitigating circumstances. In addition, if the facts prove insufficient a conviction cannot be upheld. Murder, is defined in Florida as the unlawful killing of another human being, when either the perpetrated from a premeditated design to effect the death of the person killed or any human being or during the commission of the enumerated felonies listed within the statute. (F.S.A. § 782.04).

Murder is a serious criminal offense, therefore, the advise and counsel of a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer will prove to be advantageous to a Jacksonville Criminal Defendant. The legal process is complicated, complex, and not always favorable to unrepresented Jacksonville Criminal Defendants. If you have Jacksonville Criminal charges pending against you or a loved one, contact a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer who will discuss your case, determine possible defenses and justifications, and work with you for the best possible outcome in your Criminal law matter.