weapons charges

Investigator in Trayvon Martin Case Wanted Zimmerman Arrested at the Scene

Andrew Stine — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:53:44 GMT

The shooting of Trayvon Martin has been floodlighted with media attention with rallies happening in cities from coast to coast and Martin's parents appearing at Capitol Hill. There has been much controversy and debate over the case where experts are questioning the defense of "self-defense," or the stand your ground law. At the end of the day however, an unarmed 17-year-old boy was shot dead by the neighborhood watch crime captain. The debate over the case is likely to escalate as tension increases and supporters demand the arrest of George Zimmerman.

What is Stand Your Ground Law?

Florida Statute 776.032 states: “A person who uses force is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer...” The Stand Your Ground Law is there to justify the use of force or a firearm if there is a reasonable fear of imminent danger. In order for Zimmerman to use this as a defense, he needs to prove that he immediately believed he was in danger of being harmed.

However, even some law enforcement officers don't believe his recount of the events that occurred.

According to ABC News, the lead homicide investigator in the shooting recommended that Zimmerman be charged with manslaughter the night of the shooting, multiple sources told ABC News. However, Sanford, Fla., Investigator Chris Serino was instructed to not press charges against Zimmerman because the state attorney's office headed by Norman Wolfinger determined there wasn't enough evidence to lead to a conviction, according to ABC News.

Police brought Zimmerman into the station for questioning for a few hours on the night of the shooting, said Zimmerman's attorney, despite his request for medical attention first. Ultimately they had to accept Zimmerman's claim of self defense. He was never charged with a crime.

Serino filed an affidavit on Feb. 26, the night that Martin was shot and killed by Zimmerman, that stated he was unconvinced Zimmerman's version of events.

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Aggravated Assault is Often Alcohol Induced

Andrew Stine — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:17:21 GMT

More often than not, domestic disputes and aggravated assault cases between family members involve alcohol abuse. Abusing your alcohol tolerance can lead to several poor decisions, even decisions that can land you in jail. Even if you have consumed only one drink of alcohol, your judgment is already impaired even if it seems clear as day at the time, according to Florida Traffic School. Even one drink affects your biological processes enough that it can cause you to make poor decisions you could regret, including harming people you care about.

Alcohol Induced Aggravated Assault in St. Lucie County

Joseph Warren Hill, 54, was arrested Monday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony. Hill picked up his son and his son's girlfriend to give them a ride home. The girlfriend believed Hill was drunk after he began getting "vulgar and verbally abusive," according to an article in WPTV News.

Hill asked his son's girlfriend for gas money when they got home, and she told her boyfriend to give Hill $3 for fuel, but he refused. The girlfriend said Hill and his son argued, with Hill getting a gun from the truck. The girlfriend said she called 911 and Hill drove off in the truck.

Investigators went to Hill's home in the 200 block of Euclid Street. Hill said all his guns were in storage in Titusville, but a deputy found a loaded .25 caliber pistol hidden in a KFC chicken bucket in the bedroom.

Hill said he's afraid of his son and feared for his life. He denied pulling a gun from his truck. He said he's been in "armed security" for about 17 years and was afraid of being beaten up by his son.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Aggravated assault itself is a serious crime. When a deadly weapon is used, or even pointed at someone, the prison time and fines increase dramatically. If you have been arrested and accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, you are going to need the serious and skilled assets a criminal defense lawyer can provide. It is important to have your side of the story represented by a professional in any case. Contact a criminal defense lawyer today.

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Robbery Law in South Florida

Andrew Stine — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:36:08 GMT

Bank robberies may seem like they only happen in movies but in truth, it is a crime that is unfortunately common in the South Florida area. In fact, the FBI has been recently trying to track down a man who may have committed seven robberies since this past Christmas Eve. If caught, the robber is facing a seriously long time in prison in addition to heavy fines and a drawn out court case. He will need an extremely experienced criminal defense lawyer to help him through this process because his crimes have been subject to a lot of media attention.

Robbery Law in Florida

According to the Florida Statutes, robbery is defined as the taking of money or other property with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprives the person or the owner of the money or property. Robbery is different from burglary in that in the process of taking the money or property, the defendant used force, violence, assault, or putting the victim in a position of fear.

Robbery can be charged as a first-degree felony if the defendant carried a firearm or other deadly weapon. The defendant could face a life sentence in prison in addition to an obscenely large amount of fines. Robbery is still a felony, only a second-degree felony, if the defendant did not carry a firearm or deadly weapon of any kind.

Robbery in South Florida

According to WPTV News, the FBI is searching for a man suspected of committing up to seven bank robberies since Christmas Eve. The most recent robbery happened midday Firday at the Bank of America at 2300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, according to the article. The robbery occurred at 2p.m. on one of the busiest streets in Fort Lauderdale. There were customers inside the location at the time but no one was injured.
The amount of cash stolen was not disclosed by federal agents.

Robbery Criminal Defense

If you have been accused of robbery of any kind, it is critical that you contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. While it may seem like there is no hope for you, depending on the evidence possessed by the prosecution, a criminal defense lawyer will work hard to investigate your case and make sure you are represented fairly in the court of law.

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Illegal Weapons Deal in Pompano Beach Turns Deadly

Andrew Stine — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:21:40 GMT

Undercover police officers put their lives on the line to catch crimes in the act. Law enforcement use police officers to pose as buyers for drugs, weapons, and several other illegal activities. While these methods are often successful, the possibility of entrapment can be an issue. In Pompano Beach, a gun deal involving an undercover deputy went wrong, resulting in the death of the gun dealer.

Weapons in Pompano Beach

Johnny Wright, 23, of Pompano Beach was under serious investigation from a multi-agency illegal firearms task force operation. This case is an example of how weapons crimes are being watched very carefully by law enforcement throughout South Florida.

The illegal gun deal occurred around 4 p.m. in Pompano Beach behind the San Isidro Catholic Church, according to WPTV News. Wright stepped out of his vehicle to follow through with the illegal gun transaction but then pulled a gun on the undercover deputy posing as the buyer. The deputy and a Coral Springs officer pulled out their weapons and fired several shots at Wright, who was pronounced dead at North Broward Medical Center, according to the article.

"He was definitely armed," he said. "He pointed a gun at our deputy and there were other guns in his car."

No other officers or bystanders were hurt, according to the investigative report.

Wright had a criminal history including five arrests in the past three years on charges including trespassing, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, possession of ecstasy and resisting arrest, according to WPTV News.

Weapons Charges

In the state of Florida, many weapons charges are subject to mandatory prison sentences of at least three years. A conviction of a weapons charge will follow you for the rest of your life by way of a criminal record. This puts your potential employment, living situation, and other liberties at risk.

The law firm of Andrew D. Stine, P.A. in West Palm Beach represents people arrested on weapons charges including anything from carrying a concealed weapon, to aggravated assault or battery with a deadly weapon, and even possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

With the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to mitigate your sentence to something less severe. A lawyer like the ones at the law firm of Andrew D. Stine can help you get your life back together after being arrested on weapons charges.

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Update: Pill Mill Brothers Face a Judge

Andrew Stine — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:50:42 GMT

The pill mill brothers, Chris and Jeff George, were indicted in October of last year on federal weapons charges. The two were indicted and arrested along with several doctors working for them in their pain clinics after amassing millions from their pain clinics. The brothers were living a lavish lifestyle while the doctors they employed supplied prescription pills to drug traffickers and dealers pouring in from Kentucky, Ohio, and South Carolina.

Prescription Pill Trafficking and Weapons Charges

Now, Jeff George is facing second-degree felony murder charges in the overdose death of Joey Bartolucci, who visited one of his pain clinics in January of 2009. Chris and Jeff George finally faced the judge Wednesday morning after the prolonged federal and state crackdown on the George’s cash-only pain clinics came to a close.

Jeff George defended himself by claiming that although they provide medication, they should not be held responsible if the user of that medication chooses to abuse it. Attorney McAuliffe also charged the prescribing physician, Dr. Gerald Klein, with first-degree murder. Klein allegedly gave Bartolucci prescriptions for 150 Dilauded pills, 30 Xanax, and 30 Nortriptyline pills.

Chris George’s Fort Lauderdale defense lawyer argued that the brothers operated legitimate businesses staffed by licensed doctors, physicians who prescribed drugs within the confines of the law, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The George brothers are also being federally prosecuted under the RICO act, the law created to crack down on Mafia related crime.

Criminal Defense

If you have been charged with any two specific crimes within ten years, you could be charged and prosecuted under the RICO act. These crimes are specified under the act as robbery, murder, fraud, grand theft, etc. A criminal defense lawyer can be an ally to you through this process because only lawyers have a full grasp of the law and know what to look for while investigating your situation. Jeff George’s defense lawyer is the only person keeping Jeff’s head above water at this time by taking on the responsibility of questions from reporters as well as court procedures.

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I'm a Convicted Felon - What Happens if I'm Charged with Possession of a Firearm?

Andrew Stine — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:47:56 GMT

According to an article in the Palm Beach Post, a Polk County man has been accused of poaching wildlife and was caught and arrested after boasting about it on Facebook. He is facing several charges including unlawful hunting and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Crime

For a convicted felon, he wasn’t very careful. Darin Lee Waldo, 43, unknowingly chose to exchange photographs of illegally killed game with investigators, participated in chat rooms describing his actions and even invited undercover agents to participate in two illegal hunts.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported these violations on Friday. They say he and other suspects hid small boats and guns at Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area near Haines City.

Waldo is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon – a crime that could land him in prison for a mandatory sentence of 3 years. He has also been charged with armed trespass, attempting to take wild game (turkey and deer) during closed season, and several other charges.

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon Florida Statute

According to Florida Statute Section 790.23, it is illegal for anyone convicted of any felony offense to possess a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic device or weapon. It is not illegal to possess a firearm if your civil rights and firearm authority was restored by Florida law. “Possession” has varying definitions. Actual possession means the firearm was found on your person. Constructive possession means the firearm was found in your house or vehicle.

Criminal Defense

If you have been convicted of a previous felony and then have been charged with a possession of a firearm, you are facing a third degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It is especially serious if the prosecutor can prove actual possession as mentioned above (when the weapon is on your person). This can result in a mandatory sentence of 3 years.

If you have ever been charged with possession of a firearm, convicted felon or not, you need a criminal defense lawyer on your side immediately. The system does not look favorably on convicted felons and you do not want to face yet another felony charge. Have a criminal defense lawyer help you build your defense strategy and at least give you a chance of avoiding prison again.

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