Exploring Legal Horizons

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 someone is convicted, there is no constitutional right to a bond and Florida Statutes § 924.16 state that the decision whether to grant a person post trial release is left to the discretion of the trial judge. Unfortunately, there are many legal exclusions that prevent a person from being eligible for bail pending appeal. Under...

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 means that the conviction will always be on their record, the conviction cannot be sealed or expunged, and it will likely show up on a background check. This can negatively affect their current and future employment. Generally speaking, the court is more likely to sentence someone to jail or prison when a person is convicted after...

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 driver of a car or vehicle who is involved in an accident to stop and exchange information. After an accident a motorist must immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the crash or as close thereto as possible, promptly notify the other driver the driver’s name, address, registration number, and show his or her...