Generally, the state cannot rely on a criminal defendant’s prior conviction to establish guilt for a current charge. The state can introduce evidence of previous convictions and other bad acts for other reasons, however, as long as it does not violate an evidentiary rule. Recently, a Florida court affirmed that…
Most Florida citizens have the right to own firearms, but for convicted felons, carrying a gun can lead to felony charges. Further, if their prior offenses were violent crimes, they may face lengthy prison sentences if they are convicted. In a recent Florida case, the court analyzed whether resisting an…
If a person is convicted of a sex crime, their rights may be impacted long after any penalties imposed for the crime are served. For example, sex offenders are often prohibited from entering certain areas where children are present and, in some cases, may be barred from having contact with…
The United States Constitution protects criminal defendants from unjust outcomes. For example, the Fifth Amendment prohibits a person from being prosecuted twice for substantially the same crime. In spite of the protections offered by the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment, it is not uncommon for a criminal defendant…
Generally, people who are considered career criminals face greater penalties than those with no criminal history. As such, if a person who has multiple prior convictions is found guilty of another offense, they may be subject to sentencing enhancements. While generally, crimes are discrete acts, a person can be charged…
In Florida, many battery crimes include an element of intent. As such, the state must prove that a person possessed a certain state of mind in order to establish their guilt for a specific crime. Recently, a Florida court discussed what evidence the state must produce to demonstrate intent with…
If you have been arrested, you have the right to remain silent. You also have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. You must exercise these rights as soon as possible. Do not answer any questions or make any statements…
If you are looking for an experienced and reliable criminal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, FL, you have come to the right law firm. Hanlon Law has over 20 years of experience representing St. Petersburg clients in various criminal cases. We are dedicated to providing our clients with reliable legal…
Like most people, you probably don’t know what to do if you are arrested. You may feel confused and scared, not knowing where to turn for help. That is why it is important to have a St. Petersburg criminal lawyer on your side. A criminal lawyer will be able to…
It is important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, FL, on your side when you are arrested. The decisions made during the early stages of your case can have a significant impact on the outcome. You need someone who understands Florida law and knows how to…