Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Researchers Publish Study On Fentanyl Vaccine
Fentanyl is scary, and getting criminal charges for drug crimes is scary, so getting criminal charges for possession of fentanyl is the scariest of all. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times as strong as morphine; fatal overdoses have been reported where adult victims ingested as little as two milligrams of… Read More »
Which Crimes In Florida Are Most Common During The Holiday Season?
If you meet a police officer at a neighborhood party, and she tells you that she is busier at Thanksgiving and Christmas than other times of year, do not make a joke about how much work it must be to eat the doughnuts with the red and green sprinkles. You may have noticed increased… Read More »
Florida Tianeptine Laws
Call them research chemicals, designer drugs, bath salts, cleaning solvents, or potpourri, but drug analogues are illegal drugs in all but name. Synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic opioids are akin to the homemade copycat versions of Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets or Chipotle barbacoa that you perfected in your kitchen during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sure, you can… Read More »
Should You Plead The Fifth Amendment?
In casual conversation, people sometimes say, “I plead the Fifth” to get out of answering awkward questions. In a legal context, however, pleading the Fifth Amendment is serious business. The Fifth Amendment grants everyone the right not to be pressured into making self-incriminating statements during a court case or investigation, such as telling a… Read More »
When Are You Immune From Prosecution For Drug Charges?
Paranoia can be a side effect of some illegal drugs, but given the draconian punishments you can get for possession of even the smallest quantities of most illegal drugs, your fear of every blue light flashing in the distance and every cell phone camera pointed in your direction is quite reasonable. In many cases,… Read More »
Is Public Nudity A Crime In Florida?
Floridians are famous for their skimpy clothes. Daisy Dukes, thong bathing suits, and visible bra straps were a common sight in Florida long before they became a fashion trend in parts of the country where the weather is less appropriate for such revealing clothes. According to Florida law, though, there is such a thing… Read More »
Inchoate Offenses And Florida Law
Is it a crime to almost commit a crime? It depends on how close you were to the completion of the criminal act. Federal and state laws recognize inchoate offenses, which are where a defendant planned to commit a serious crime (known as the “target offense”) or helped someone else. For example, if the… Read More »
Biden Issues Executive Order Pardoning Federal Convictions For Simple Possession Of Cannabis
Is cannabis a dangerous drug that leads to dangerous behavior in the short term and chronic illness in the long term? Is it a fun vice, like alcohol or tobacco, relatively harmless in moderation? Is it a medical miracle? A wellness fad? It depends who you ask, but whichever interpretation you support, you will… Read More »
Forgery Laws In Florida
You have probably heard of people forging signatures, which means signing someone’s name other than their own on a document, to make it look like someone else signed the document. Under Florida law, the definition of the crime of forgery involves producing fake documents in a way that makes them appear genuine, with the… Read More »
What Must The Prosecution Prove In A Drug Possession Case?
In order to secure a conviction in a criminal case, the prosecution must present strong evidence that the defendant committed the crime of which he or she is being accused. You have the right to consult with a lawyer, and the prosecution must be transparent with your lawyer about the evidence they plan to… Read More »