Posted on May 24, 2019 in Criminal Defense

Spring Break is a long-standing Florida tradition. Local vendors look forward to increased tourism, and many college students enjoy the chance to unwind from a stressful semester. Unfortunately, this often leads to a surge in arrests for underage drinking, disorderly conduct, DUI, and similar offenses. But it may surprise you to realize that visiting college students are not the only ones who cause a surge in local springtime arrests across Florida.

If you or your college student are facing criminal charges, it is important to consult with an experienced criminal lawyer. The experienced criminal defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney can help protect you from unlawful convictions based upon illegal evidence or confessions. This, in turn, can help prevent the serious consequences that could occur as the result of an improper conviction. Call 305-615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as possible.

The Real Arrest Statistics in Miami Beach

The Miami New Times recently reviewed arrest data in Miami Beach to see if college students were, in fact, the problem. This revealed surprising information: of 51 arrests reviewed by the newspaper, only 7 involved out-of-state visitors under the age of 25 (and only three of these reports identified the suspect as a student). The rest of these arrests involved local residents, the homeless, or older tourists. The New Times followed up on this by reviewing arrest reports from a particular March weekend in South Beach. Here, too, arrest data showed that more than half the suspects were older than 25, and more than half were local Florida residents (not tourists).

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 Posted on May 16, 2019 in Criminal Defense

For anyone who regularly drives in Miami, road rage is an unfortunate part of life. Most words and gestures are harmless (if irritating). Sometimes, however, road rage escalates into physical confrontations, car accidents, and other dangerous situations. In these circumstances, road rage can be a crime. Like any other crime, road rage charges can carry serious consequences that may affect a defendant for years after a conviction. It is important to consult with a criminal attorney before making any statements to law enforcement and to be represented throughout the criminal case process. The experienced Miami criminal defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has spent years defending charges of assault and battery, vehicular crimes, and other charges that are common in road rage circumstances. Call 305-615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation.

Road Rage Here in Florida

Florida has become particularly prone to road rage incidents. ABC Action News WFTS Tampa Bay reports that road rage incidents rose 71 percent between 2014 and 2017 and that our state is now number one in the nation in this category. Florida had nearly three hundred road rage incidents between 2014 and 2017. The next closest state, Texas, had only 220 during that same period. Worse still, Florida leads the nation in road rage incidents involving guns. Florida had twenty deaths and sixty injuries in road rage incidents with firearms between 2014 and 2017.

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 Posted on May 11, 2019 in Drug Crimes

Florida was one of the first states to pass mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws back in 1979. Now the State Legislature is considering a bill to end mandatory minimum sentences related to drug trafficking. These sweeping changes are supported by studies and policy briefs that establish the high taxpayer costs of increased incarceration - which has not been found to be an effective deterrent to drug crimes. The proposed bill could have dramatic consequences for those currently serving drug sentences in Florida.

The skilled attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has experience in both defending drug cases and in post-conviction matters (such as modifying an existing sentence pursuant to a current law). He can help protect your legal rights during a criminal investigation, charging and other pretrial matters, at trial, and after a conviction. Call 305-615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation.

What Does This Mean For Existing Sentences?

WJTC Public Media reports that the Florida First Step Act was introduced by State Senator Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg. Brandes and other conservative lawmakers have expressed concerns at the high taxpayer costs of lengthy incarceration for defendants sentenced under mandatory minimums for low-level drug offenses. (A study from the James Madison Institute estimates that low-level drug sentencing costs Florida $100 million every year.) Policy briefs have also found that lengthy mandatory minimum sentences do not actually deter crime. One policy director told WJTC that not only were the policy goals of mandatory minimum sentencing not met, but the opposite effects have actually occurred. "We have more drugs on the street now per capita than we did (when the policy was enacted); drug prices are lower, indicating greater supply; we have a higher drug overdose rate now than then."

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 Posted on May 04, 2019 in Criminal Defense

Across the country, criminal statutes are being amended to provide clear guidance and strict penalties for those who abuse the elderly. Here in Florida, with our large retiree population, such laws are particularly important to help protect the elderly from physical, sexual, and financial abuse. Unfortunately, these cases can present complicated evidentiary issues. Many elderly victims suffer from dementia and other mental disorders that make them challenging witnesses with questionable credibility. In such cases, prosecutors often resort to circumstantial evidence or even hearsay. When prosecutors begin walking that evidentiary tightrope, it is easy for a defendant's legal rights to get lost in the shuffle. This is why it is so important for any suspect being investigated for elder abuse to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

The experienced defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has represented defendants in state and federal courts throughout Florida. We can help protect you from unlawful convictions based upon illegal evidence or confessions. In addition, we can identify the best legal strategy for a timely and fair resolution to your case. Call 305-615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as possible.

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 Posted on May 01, 2019 in Criminal Defense

There are many consequences to a criminal conviction. Some, like jail time and court fines, are expected. Others are less obvious: persons convicted of a felony automatically lose their civil rights to vote, serve on juries, and own a firearm. Felony convictions can also make it difficult to secure employment, or even get the professional licensure that makes such a job possible. But one of the most devastating consequences of a criminal conviction can be the loss of parental rights. Crimes against children and crimes that demonstrate dangerous conduct in front of a child can lead to the restriction - or even total loss - of parenting rights.

If you have been investigated or arrested for any criminal charges, it is important to consult with an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The experienced defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney can help protect you from unlawful convictions based upon illegal evidence or confessions. This, in turn, can help prevent restrictions on your parenting rights that could occur as the result of an improper conviction. Call 305-615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as possible.

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 Posted on April 25, 2019 in Criminal Defense

It can be difficult to know what to do when interacting with law enforcement agents. Many defendants panic when they are pulled over, or see an officer knock on their door, or they have other contact with police officers. Unfortunately, some defendants panic and make the situation worse. By fleeing, resisting arrest, or becoming aggressive, you can actually increase the number and severity of the charges against you. It is important to understand what to do - and not do - when interacting with law enforcement officers in order to avoid this situation.

The experienced Miami defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney can help guide you through the process of a police investigation and criminal court case. With the advice of a skilled attorney, you can rest assured that your constitutional rights will be protected and that you will be advised on how to best resolve your case without making the situation worse. Call 305-615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as you become aware of a law enforcement investigation or criminal charges.

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 Posted on April 24, 2019 in Criminal Defense

Spring break brings many young people to Florida's sunny beaches. Unfortunately, many law enforcement agencies use this annual event as an excuse to conduct mass arrests. Underage drinking is one of the most common charges, but there are many other crimes that can arise as the result of rowdy spring break celebrations. DUIs, disorderly conduct, possession of drugs and paraphernalia, assault, and many other criminal charges are common during the crowded and festive atmosphere of spring break.

It can be difficult for students and parents to know what to do after a spring break arrest. This is especially problematic for visiting students who do not live in Florida. If you are an out-of-state resident who is facing Florida criminal charges, it is essential to be represented by an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney. Criminal charges can carry consequences for your college career, professional licensures, future employability, and even access to housing and financial services. At Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, our attorney will guide you through every step of the criminal case process. He will fight hard to protect his client's constitutional rights. Call 305-615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation.

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 Posted on April 16, 2019 in White Collar Crimes

When an officer is accused of any type of crime, he or she has the constitutional right to a proper police investigation, an impartial jury of his or her peers, and fairness in the trial process. Unfortunately, this can be complicated by the type of sensationalist media coverage that tends to occur when an officer is accused of a crime. It can also be threatened by fellow officers who may be disgruntled, and not follow proper investigation protocol in the quest to make the accused officer "pay." In any event, the defendant is entitled to constitutional protections throughout the investigation and criminal court process.

The experienced criminal defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has experience representing law enforcement officers who have been accused of many different crimes. He knows how to defend your constitutional rights, avoid unwanted pretrial publicity, and otherwise promote fairness throughout the criminal case process. Call 305-615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation.

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 Posted on April 15, 2019 in Criminal Defense

In recent years, interactions between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve have reached a fever pitch. Unlike the 1990s, when such tensions seemed to be limited to the Los Angeles Police Department in incidents such as the Rodney King beating and the O.J. Simpson trial, police relations have now become a daily news topic all across the country. Police actions are being scrutinized more closely than ever. And now, perhaps as never before, police officers are facing criminal charges for actions they take in the line of duty. Right here in Miami, a Miami-Dade sergeant was charged with misdemeanor battery after slapping a handcuffed teenager. The Miami Herald reports that another officer on the scene is also being charged with felony tampering with evidence.

An officer can face many levels of investigation in a case such as this. First, there is usually an immediate department investigation by Internal Affairs or another administrative board. This process can go through several levels of bureaucracy before a decision is reached. Next, a criminal investigation may be conducted by another law enforcement agency or prosecutor. If the criminal investigation supports charges, the officer may find him- or herself on the receiving end of an arrest for a change. And separate and distinct from any criminal trial is the civil court process, by which an officer may be ordered to pay a civil judgment. The outcome of a criminal trial can affect each of these results. It is therefore important to hire one's own, experienced law enforcement defense attorney to defend any charges. The experienced law enforcement defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney can help protect both your constitutional rights during the investigation and prosecution of any crime arising from actions taken in the line of duty. Call 305-615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation.

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 Posted on April 04, 2019 in Criminal Defense

It may or may not be a surprise to learn that police officers do not always tell the truth under oath. Many law enforcement officers are good, civic-minded persons who genuinely care about protecting their communities. Others, however, are determined to get a conviction at any cost - even at the expense of the truth. Defendants charged with any crime have the right to cross-examine the officers who are testifying against them. They also have the right to cross-examine an officer about his or her reputation for truthfulness and ask about former occasions where the officer lied under oath. These important rights are guaranteed by the Due Process protections of the Fifth Amendment and the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment.

If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to be represented by a criminal defense attorney who is prepared to cross-examine any law enforcement officer who may be testifying against you. The experienced Miami criminal defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has spent years fighting to protect defendants from improper conduct and testimony by law enforcement officers. Call 305-615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation. Don't delay - the sooner you are represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney, the better protected your constitutional rights will be.

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