Soler & Simon Criminal Defense Blog

***This blog is meant to be informational only and not legal advice. Be sure to speak to an attorney about your unique situation. Do not rely on anything written here to make a decision in your case***

What is a "welfare check" or the "community caretaking doctrine"

A law enforcement officer generally cannot search or seize you without reasonable suspicion or probable cause that a crime has taken...

Have you been charged with DUI and suffer from medical or mental health conditions?

If you have been charged with DUI, be sure to tell your criminal defense attorney if you currently suffer, or have suffered in the past,...

What is discovery in a criminal case?

The "discovery process" in a criminal case is the process whereby the defendant demands, and the state turns over, all evidence that the...

The state is asking for jail at my arraignment for my criminal case, what can I do?

Often times, yes there is. At arraignment (which is very early in a criminal case) the state usually has done very little investigation....

What can happen if a witness or victim does not show up for deposition in a battery case?

**Please DO NOT rely on this blog post to make a decision in your criminal case. Every situation is entirely unique. Please contact our...

Has your friend or loved one been sitting in jail for 30 days with no charges filed?

The state (prosecutor) has an obligation to file formal charges (typically by filing an "information" with the clerk of court) within 30...

What are depositions? Can I attend the depositions in my criminal case?

A deposition is the taking of out-of-court testimony from a witness or witnesses. This is where your attorney will question witnesses...

I have an old criminal case in Florida and I now live out of state, what can I do?

We quite frequently get calls and emails from people out of the area who have an old criminal case in Florida that, for a variety of...

What is an arraignment for a criminal case in Florida?

An arraignment is a court date where the state (prosecutor) informs you of what they are charging you with. In some cases (particularly...

Can I get my DUI reduced to a Reckless Driving charge?

It is very difficult to tell from the beginning whether a DUI charge can or will be reduced to a criminal reckless driving charge....

What is the 20 minute observation period in a DUI Case?

A police officer must observe a person for at least 20 minutes prior to administering a DUI breath test in order to ensure that the...

What may happen if I do not go to court (or miss a court date) for my criminal case?

If a defendant does not show up for court for a mandatory court appearance in their case (such as an arraignment, pre-trial conference,...

What is Supervised Release (SPR) in Sarasota, FL?

If a defendant is arrested and brought before a judge for first appearance in Sarasota County, the judge may order that the defendant be...

I cannot do supervised release, help!

If there are terms and conditions that the judge ordered as part of your supervised release (SPR) and you cannot complete them, do not...

What Happens after Someone is Arrested for Domestic Battery in Sarasota, FL?

When someone is arrested for domestic battery in Sarasota, FL they are brought to the Sarasota County Jail to be processed and booked....

Is your Florida license suspended for 5 years (HTO) because of civil driving on suspended citations?

We can help you. Many people do not realize that when one pays a civil traffic citation (ticket) for driving on a suspended driver's...

Sarasota First Appearance Attorney for Domestic Battery and Domestic Violence Cases

If one is arrested for domestic battery in Sarasota County, that person's bond will automatically be set at $0. This means that the...

What is a VOP Early Case Resolution (ECR) In Sarasota, Florida?

What is a VOP Early Case Resolution (ECR) In Sarasota and Manatee? A violation of probation (VOP) Early Case Resolution (ECR) court date...

Defenses to Tampering with Evidence Charges - How To Fight and Beat A Tampering Case

Generally speaking, tampering with evidence involves altering, destroying, or concealing something in order to prevent it from being used...

Charged with possession of drugs after an overdose in Florida?

If you overdosed and were later charged with a violation of Florida Statute 893 (the most common being possession of a controlled...