Andrew D. Stine, P.A. - Florida Criminal Defence Attorney

Immigration is a tricky subject. If you are an immigrant, legal or illegal, and you are accused of a serious crime, you could be facing potential deportation. Regardless of your legal status you need to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. This is the only chance you have at staying in this country. The law does not take immigration lightly and while there is momentum in changing immigration legislation, for now, being an illegal or even legal immigrant can be a precarious thing.

The Florida Department of Children and Families is the state agency charged with the responsibility of protecting abused and neglected children, elderly, and the disabled. We often hear stories about DCF investigations involving child abuse or neglect, and how these children are taken away from their homes for fear of their safety or even their lives. As a community, we put our trust and faith into this organization to protect children from perilous situations. Unfortunately, the Florida DCF is receiving some heat as a case worker has been accused of falsifying documents and not fulfilling her duties.

Despite recent good news about the gradual decline in the rate of robberies and home invasions, the rate for the first quarter of this year has law enforcement on edge. Law enforcement has recently been boasting about an improved response rate to robberies, better technology and resources, and an all around better crime rate. However, it seems that things are actually getting worse, despite all of the new and improved efforts of law enforcement.

Animal cruelty crimes are the most heartbreaking of all because the victims of the crimes are truly defenseless. Puppy mills are often the biggest animal cruelty cases that people encounter. A puppy mill, sometimes called a puppy farm, is a commercial breeding facility where the operators focus solely on profits and give no heed to the animals' welfare. The conditions are almost always deplorable. A puppy mill was discovered and raided recently in Venice, where over 200 dogs were rescued by the Tri-County Humane Society in Boca Raton and are being treated.

Jeff George, often discussed in previous posts as a kingpin of pill mills, has finally been ordered to pay financial restitution to the family of 24-year-old Joey Bartolucci who died from overdosing on narcotics in 2009, supplied by the pill mills operated by the George brothers. Pill mills are pain clinics that often prescribed powerful narcotics like Oxycodone without discretion. These operations are under extreme scrutiny and heavy investigation because of the rising number of Oxycodone related overdose deaths. It is simply just too easy for addicts and drug dealers to get their hands on powerful prescription drugs.

The popular BurgerFi chain has been blossoming throughout South Florida. Many residents in the area have nothing but positive remarks when it comes to the chain. The restaurant also boasts its humane and natural meat, which is becoming a must-have in reputable burger restaurants. However, the chain is falling under some scrutiny as the current partners of the BurgerFi business entity are filing several lawsuits against David Mainiero after he abruptly split from the company earlier this year, without giving a reason why.

Petty theft and grand theft are considered to be different solely on the value of the property or money stolen. You will be charged with petty theft if you have stolen property or money valuing less than $300. Greater than $300 is grand theft and is a felony. A felony conviction can cost you your rights as an average citizen. A man in Naples is in need of an experienced criminal defense lawyer because he has so many petty theft convictions on his record that his most recent theft escapade of $1 actually cost him a felony.

Animal cruelty laws in Florida are getting stricter. More and more animal sanctuary owner-operators are being charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty throughout Florida as law enforcement attempts to crack down on the crime. Animal cruelty is the deliberate harm or death of an animal cause by the intentional abuse or neglect of its owner or caregiver. Depending on the severity of the crime, animal cruelty can be charged as a felony with penalties including several years in prison.

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.

Grand theft is defined as the unlawful stealing of another’s property that is valued at more than $300. If the property is less than $300, it is considered petty theft. Petty theft is usually the term used for shoplifters and other smaller crimes. Grand theft, of any kind, is considered a felony. The degree of the felony charge is dependent on the value of the stolen property.