Pumphrey Law Blog

February 10, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Drug Charges Social Share

*This article is for informational use only. Pumphrey Law does not practice, nor advise, on any Baker Act matters, in Florida or elsewhere.* Baker Act – General Goal & History Florida’s Baker Act, also known as the Florida Mental Health Act, is a law encompassed in Chapter 394 of the Florida Statutes that provides comprehensive legal procedures when it comes …

February 10, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

What Does it Say? This week, the Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee voted in favor of HB 1249, titled “Treatment of Defendants Adjudicated Incompetent to Stand Trial.” The bill, spearheaded by Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka of Fort Myers, would allow individuals who are adjudicated as incompetent to receive mental health treatment inside of county jails, rather than at a state hospital. …

February 8, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Drug Charges Social Share

Marijuana has started to become more openly accepted across the United States. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) it’s now recreationally legal in 18 states and legal for medical reasons in 37 states, including Florida. However, marijuana—also referred to as weed—is still considered a controlled substance under federal law. This means getting caught with marijuana can still …

February 8, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

State Senator Bobby Powell, a democrat representing Senate District 30 in West Palm Beach, recently refiled Senate Bill 1498, a bill that gives voice and the opportunity for change to his concerns regarding the process that allows the state to bypass the juvenile criminal system and be charged as adults instead of minors. What Does the Bill Say? The bill …

February 7, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Signs You Should Get a Second Legal Opinion on your Criminal Case Second opinions aren’t reserved just for the medical field, though both medical and legal second opinions could turn out to be lifesaving. While these types of second opinions differ in terms of subject matter discussed, they do have something in common: they can be the difference between carrying …

February 6, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Juvenile Offenses, Seal or Expunge Criminal Record Social Share

On February 1st, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted in favor of HB 195, a bill that would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to expunge nonjudicial arrest records of minors who successfully complete diversion programs for non-violent felony offenses. Its sister bill, SB 342, was approved unanimously in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice and faces …

February 6, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

The prosecution is required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That being said, evidence provided by the prosecution plays a significant role in the trajectory of your criminal case. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that evidence is handled properly from the time it is collected by police, often when you are arrested, until the time it …

February 3, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. News & Announcements Social Share

As November slowly approaches for the next round of elections, Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed another law anti-immigration law. The proposed bill is meant to require that Florida communities help enforce federal immigration laws. SB 1808 is a build off of Joe Gruters’ SB 168 bill that was stalled back in 2019. Although Gruters’ bill did not make it very …

February 1, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Co-defendants can complicate already stressful criminal cases. In a case involving co-defendant conspiracy, the crime charged to each defendant will depend on the criminal intent of the defendants, and whether the actions taken by them fell into the realm of their originally thought-out plan. To learn more about co-defendant criminal cases, click here. What is the Independent Act Doctrine? Under …