Fort Myers Legal Issues Blog

Drug crimes can carry serious penalties for those who are convicted. Making matters worse is the fact that many drug charges are accompanied by other allegations of criminal wrongdoing, which can increase the potential consequences.

However, by developing a criminal defense that fits the particular facts at hand, a Floridian may be able to accept reduced charges and penalties, or it may even be possible to have charges dismissed or win an acquittal at trial.

College can be an exciting time where students chase their aspirations and build life-long friendships. At the same time, college is also full of young and inexperienced adults who can be reckless when it comes to decision-making. With tens of thousands of students on campus who are likely to engage in rowdy party scenes, it is not uncommon to hear about college students facing criminal charges.

Lee County is no stranger to college student crimes. With schools like Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Florida South Western State College (FSW), and Hodges University in the area, the local crime rates are bound to be impacted. While each school faces its own share of alleged criminal activity, there are some charges that stand out among the crime logs of all colleges:

Floridians who are suspected of drunk driving are usually subjected to a number of field sobriety tests. The results of these tests may dictate whether criminal charges for drunk driving are filed, and they can play a powerful part in a prosecutor's case. Therefore, those who are accused of driving while intoxicated need to ensure they understand these field sobriety tests and how to fight back against them in a court of law.

One commonly used field sobriety test is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. This test looks for involuntary jerking of the eyes, also known as nystagmus, which is caused by intoxication. To conduct the test, a police officer will first observe a driver's eyes at rest to see if nystagmus can be detected. If so, then the involuntary movements may be attributable to a medical condition rather than intoxication.

In recent years, ride-sharing has become increasingly popular in states across the country. Utilizing this service is fairly simple: All one has to do is download an app on their phone and hit a button. Your ride will oftentimes show up in less than five minutes. Ride-sharing services are appealing for multiple reasons. The app is easy to use, the ride is usually cheaper than a taxi and it can be a safer option than walking at night.