Clearwater Criminal Defense Law Blog
Is probation a broadly fair and rational process?
We don’t mince words on our website at the established Clearwater criminal defense law firm of Hoskins & Penton when we address the reality of probation for legions of affected individuals.We directly note this: “It’s like being sentenced without...
read moreReckless driving on social media and Florida highways
A 70-year-old Lakeland, Florida, man was recently arrested for reckless driving. He was barreling along I-4 while standing on the driver’s seat, much of his body protruding up through the moonroof of his Cadillac.The incident received national attention, largely...
read moreIs my Florida criminal record going to be a lifelong impediment?
There is virtually no doubt among legal authorities in any American state, including Florida, that a criminal record relating to what is considered a major crime (a rape, robbery or drug trafficking offense, for example) should permanently attach to a defendant.What...
read moreHow to handle being pulled over after a couple of drinks
If you've ever been pulled over and questioned by a police officer, you've probably wondered about the best way to handle the situation. For instance, do you have to discuss where you are going, or where you are coming from? Are you forced to comply with field...
read moreWhat are the consequences for a Florida DUI?
Florida takes drinking and driving seriously, which is why the consequences for this type of crime are so severe.Florida residents report driving after drinking too much at a higher percent than the national average, which is why it is important to know the...
read moreRecent SCOTUS decision broadens privacy rights
A landmark decision that may have a huge impact on people in Florida was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 22. The decision will greatly expand the privacy protections that people enjoy under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court of...
read moreUnderage DUI charges may be filed for low alcohol concentrations
Some minors who are under the age of 21 in Florida may be surprised that they can be charged with a DUI when they have very little alcohol in their systems. Like all of the other states, Florida has a zero-tolerance law in place that establishes a much lower blood...
read moreFormer NFL player accused on drug charges
A Florida man was arrested on June 25 and accused of possessing crack cocaine. Alvin McCants, 50, formerly a defensive end for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was pulled over in his car as he drove near St. Petersburg in the early morning hours. Once pulled over, he...
read moreFlorida man allegedly asked police to test illegal drugs
Police officers in Florida and around the country often hear strange questions from members of the public. However, the request allegedly made by a 49-year-old Hawthorne resident to deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office on June 12 was unusual even by law...
read moreEyewitness identifications may not always be accurate
Evidence against some people in Florida facing criminal charges might be based on eyewitness identification, but this is not always reliable. In one case in California, a man spent eight years in prison on a rape conviction and was released after being exonerated on...
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