Fort Myers Legal Issues Blog

Drug charges are serious. Depending on the specifically alleged crimes, an individual can be threatened with jail or prison time, enormous fines, and a criminal record that can affect just about every aspect of his or her life. With so much on the line, those who are accused of drug crimes need to be active in seeking out a competent criminal defense. This is true even if it seems like the evidence stacked against an individual is insurmountable.

This is because sometimes the evidence that is relied upon by prosecutors can be suppressed, meaning that it can't be used against an individual in court. Evidence is most often suppressed when it has been collected subsequent to a Fourth Amendment violation, meaning that there was an illegal search or seizure. While the police are able to obtain a warrant to search an individual's home, car, or property, there are a number of justifications for a warrantless search. This is usually where Fourth Amendment violations occur. Even evidence is gathered subsequent to one of these violations, then all of that evidence, even if otherwise admissible at trial, is deemed inadmissible.

Fort Myers-area police are constantly trying to crack down on drunk driving. They keep their eyes out for minor traffic offenses that may allow them to administer field sobriety tests, and they oftentimes establish sobriety checkpoints to try to catch individuals in the act. Those who are arrested on allegations of drunk driving can face the potential of serious penalties. Depending on the facts at hand, jail and extensive fines are a very real possibility, and so, too, is mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device and licenses suspension. A drunk driving conviction can also cause extensive damage to an individual's reputation, thereby affecting his or her ability to secure future employment and even housing.

Oftentimes prosecutors claim to have iron-clad cases against those who are accused of drunk driving. They rely on the testimony of police officers, observations made during field sobriety tests, and the results of breathalyzer tests. Sure, some of this evidence may seem pretty condemning, but these evidentiary forms are far from perfect, which is why Floridians who face allegations of drunk driving may want an aggressive and competent criminal defense attorney on their side.

Child custody and visitation agreements are often the most prized and contentious items in family law. Most people love their children and will do anything to protect them. Issues can arise, though, when individuals differ over what they think is best for their child. When those differences can't be resolved through informal discussions, then the matter must be taken to court so that a judge can decide what type of arrangement supports the child's best interests.

Quite often here in Florida, these child custody cases revolve around substance abuse issues. Parental substance abuse can have a profound effect on a child. Children in homes where substance abuse occurs can be at an increased risk of being subjected to abuse or neglect, and these kids may also wind up experiencing housing instability and other familial financial issues like unemployment. These children can also face stunted emotional development, depression and anxiety, and even the onset of their own substance abuse issues.

The end of a marriage is a difficult process, even for Florida readers who are amicable and committed to working through issues in a rational, thoughtful manner. No matter how easy a divorce may be, it will still impact the youngest members of the family. In fact, children often bear the scars of their parents' divorce years, even decades, after it was final. 

As a parent, it is logical to have concerns about how the decision to divorce will shape who your children become and how they function as adults. While the end of your marriage will affect your kids, there are things you can do that will minimize the negative impact and allow them to have a strong and stable future. One of the most important things you can do will be to keep your focus on the future for your children and what is best for them long-term.