by J. Andrew Crawford | Jul 3, 2025 | Legal Issues
When the prosecution and the defense cannot agree upon a sentence, a person charged with a crime may enter a plea to the court with no dispositional understanding-an open plea-in the hope that the judge will provide a better sentence than the State has offered. An...
by J. Andrew Crawford | Sep 18, 2024 | Legal Issues
If a person enters a plea to the judge, sometimes called an open plea, or if someone is found guilty after a trial, the next step in the process is a sentencing hearing. At the sentencing hearing, both the State and the defense advocate for an appropriate sentence....
by J. Andrew Crawford | Aug 29, 2024 | General
After trial, a judge will usually remand a person to jail with no bond pending sentencing. After being sentenced, the lengthy appeal process begins. A frequent question is “Can my loved one post a bond while the appeal is pending?” The answer is possibly. After...
by J. Andrew Crawford | Jul 26, 2024 | General
It can be an incredibly frightening experience to have a loved one that has been convicted of a crime after trial. The resulting conviction can possibly lead to an adjudication of guilt, jail or prison time, probation, and fines. Being adjudicated guilty of a crime...
by J. Andrew Crawford | Jul 23, 2024 | General
After an accident, the driver of a vehicle involved can become scared or be concerned that he or she does not have a valid driver’s license. As a result, the driver does not stop to exchange information with the other motorist. In Florida, the law requires that the...