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What happens upon receipt of a Criminal Summons in Florida? In some jurisdictions, the use of a Criminal Summons was part of criminal justice even prior to COVID. Some people are surprised to receive a Summons, while others are made aware of a criminal investigation and may be expecting it or relieved to receive a Summons instead of being arrested. When the State of Florida files criminal charges and, presuming a person is not arrested on the scene of an

Much has changed in the practice of Florida criminal defense during COVID. With varying orders being issued by the Florida Supreme Court, the Chief Judges of the Circuits, County and local municipalities, we are all dealing with the semi-shutdown as best we can. It seems that new orders, tweaking the last set, are made about every other week. The common ground amongst the orders affecting the courthouses is that during the shutdown in-person hearings are to be rare. Many essential

Intersections between criminal and public health law do exist. In Florida, section 381.00315, relating to public health advisories; public health emergencies; isolation and quarantines, creates a misdemeanor for violating “any rule adopted” pursuant to the section. Of course, this includes “any isolation or quarantine, or any requirement adopted … pursuant to a declared public health emergency”. A person can be arrested for this criminal violation, even though it is a misdemeanor. Any criminal case exposes a Defendant to incarceration. There

In the realm of criminal cases one way a defense attorney can protect a client is to argue self-defense. Some years ago, there were reports of a ‘Warning Shot Bill’ that would allow Floridians to fire a warning shot. There is no law that specifically ‘allows a warning shot’. What in the stand your ground law caused the confusion that has me answering similar questions years later?  Initially, the stand your ground law in Florida was silent as to whether