criminal representationhttp://www.andrewdstine.com/blog-78/tag-161-criminal-representation.aspxblog west palm beach criminal defense lawyersupport@vestadigital.com (Andrew D. Stine, P.A. - Florida Criminal Defence Attorney)support@viestly.com (Vesta Digital)Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:06:49 GMTTue, 07 Feb 2012 15:06:49 GMTViestly60What is the Sentence for Child Abuse?http://www.andrewdstine.com/blog-78/378-what-is-the-sentence-for-child-abuse.aspxCrimes committed against children are a heinous but unfortunately realistic part of our society. A lot of times, when a parent is arrested on child abuse charges, it is not the first time that parent has been investigated by the Department of Children and Families. Investigations are usually conducted after a teacher, neighbor, or family member reports suspicion to the authorities.

Child Abuse in the Name of Discipline

According to the following article from the Palm Beach Post, a mother was arrested for biting her son:

LAKELAND, FLA. — A Lakeland mother has been arrested for child abuse after family members said she bit her son.

Police investigated 26-year-old Ann Marie Kane after Department of Children and Families officials reported three adult-sized bite marks on her son. According to an arrest report, Kane admitted biting the boy in the past because he was biting his siblings.

DCF has investigated Kane several times in the past. They removed the children from her care during the most recent investigation. She was being held in the Polk County Jail on Saturday.

Child Abuse and the Law

According to Florida Statute 827.03, Child abuse means:
  • The intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child;
  • An intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child; or
  • Active encouragement of any person to commit an act that results or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child.
If a person knowingly abuses a child and does not cause great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement or disability to the child, will be charged with a third-degree felony. The sentence for this crime can be up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Child Abuse Criminal Defense

There is no excuse for committing a crime against a child. However, if you have been charged with child abuse, you still have rights to a fair trial with experienced criminal representation. A criminal defense lawyer will protect your rights throughout the legal process and answer any questions you may have about your case. Child abuse is a serious crime, if you have been charged with child abuse, you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately because you could be facing five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Distributed by Viestly

]]>Andrew StineMon, 08 Aug 2011 14:02:58 GMThttp://www.andrewdstine.com/blog-78/378-what-is-the-sentence-for-child-abuse.aspxWhy You Need to Carefully Choose Your Criminal Defense Lawyerhttp://www.andrewdstine.com/blog-78/339-why-you-need-to-carefully-choose-your-criminal-defense-lawyer.aspxIf you are faced with criminal charges, make sure you have a criminal defense lawyer you can trust. In the case of a major mortgage-fraud trial of a former Plantation police officer and his brother, defense attorney Michael D. Walsh has apparently abandoned his defendant.

A runaway criminal defense lawyer?

According to the Palm Beach Post, a federal judge Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for defense attorney Walsh after he failed to show up for the start of the trial. He was supposed to represent Joseph Guaracino, the main defendant in the case, in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Monday. He also failed to show up for a “show case” hearing Tuesday morning on why he should not be held in contempt of court for failing to appear.

The mortgage-fraud trial is the second phase of a case involving a group of current and former law enforcement officers, mortgage brokers, title processors, and lawyers all charged with conspiring to defraud banks by falsifying loan applications and other documents to purchase dozens of investment properties during the real estate boom, according to the Palm Beach Post.

At the end of the first trial in April, a Fort Lauderdale federal jury acquitted four current and former law enforcement officers, including an FBI agent, but convicted two other former police officers. Guaracino allegedly led the group. Now, his representation by Walsh in the second trial is highly questionable and the uncertainty could delay the second trial.

Walsh also faces a misdemeanor assault charge in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. He was scheduled for a hearing on that matter in the domestic violence division Tuesday morning but did not appear for that, either. He was charged March 26 with misdemeanor battery for allegedly shoving his estranged wife and dragging her by her hair during an argument at her home in Coral Gables.

Walsh, a well-known defense attorney in South Florida, has been involved in a number of high-profile cases in recent years. Clearly his efforts in the current mortgage-fraud case need to be re-evaluated.

Criminal defense

If you are facing criminal charges, it is absolutely necessary to employ the services of a criminal defense lawyer. However, make sure the lawyer you choose is someone you can trust. Your criminal defense lawyer should be willing and able to put forth all possible effort to help you defend your case. He or she is responsible for the way you appear in court so make sure you consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer who won’t abandon you in your time of need.

Distributed by Viestly

]]>Andrew StineWed, 11 May 2011 14:47:16 GMThttp://www.andrewdstine.com/blog-78/339-why-you-need-to-carefully-choose-your-criminal-defense-lawyer.aspx