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

Senator Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale,invited members of the public to an open forum Wednesday to discuss their opinions and issues over the Stand Your Ground Law. The Stand Your Ground Law justifies a person in using deadly force when there is a reasonable belief of imminent threat. It is the main point of defense for shooter Zimmerman in the case of Trayvon Martin's death on Feb. 23 - a case rivaling the media attention of Casey Anthony. The forum was a direct response to Gov. Rick Scott's hesitance to form the task force he promised after the shooting.

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.

There have been a few mixed martial arts fighters making headlines in recent years for breaking the law. As the sport grows in popularity, so does the amount of media attention the athletes are forced to contend with. MMA Fighter Fernando Rodrigues was recently arrested and charged with several crimes after a road rage incident where he allegedly pistol-whipped another person in addition to punching and kicking him several times and putting him into a wrestling hold. Palm Beach Post covered the details of the confrontation after the victim spoke out to the public.

In the state of Florida, Florida’s Assault and Battery Law supplements domestic violence law. The difference is significant however because even though assault and battery are very specific in the crimes they cover, domestic violence is a specialized form of both in that the penalties are even more severe and the consequences are much more serious.

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.

Many people have been following the case of the death of beloved grocery store owner Jimmy McMillan in Belle Glade. The 19-year-old accused of robbing, shooting, and killing McMillan confessed to his crimes Saturday. After appearing before the Judge briefly he is being held without bond and could possibly be facing the death penalty for aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, and first-degree murder with a firearm.

The West Palm Beach metropolitan area is the 13th most violent city in the country. There are many violent crimes committed in Palm Beach County and assault and battery are two of the most serious. Most people think "assault and battery" are the same offense but technically "assault" and "battery" are two distinct and separate crimes.

Getting charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is a serious offense and it could impact your life forever if you are convicted. Each year, states impose tougher DUI laws and more severe drunk driving penalties. Florida is no exception. This is what can happen to you for a first time DUI conviction in Florida:

The long-term consequences of a domestic violence conviction can be very serious. Employers routinely conduct background checks of prospective employees and few would want to hire an employee who has a conviction for domestic violence. In Florida, landlords also conduct background checks because they could be liable for a civil lawsuit if they rent to a person with violent tendencies.

Whenever a police officer breaks the law, it usually makes headlines. The American audience is borderline desensitized to seeing news reports of battery and assault incidents, robberies, thefts, and the like. However, when a crime is committed by an officer of the law, it makes breaking news because we as a society depend on police to be the safety nets and model citizens of our communities. A police officer in Riviera Beach is experiencing scrutiny after pulling a Taser out on a 12-year-old boy.