There are multiple reasons why a judge may allow a resentencing phase for a criminal case. This can include the prosecutor initiating resentencing, new evidence or legal developments, or changes in sentencing laws. One Florida inmate, however, is attempting to request a resentencing of his death penalty case based on a promise made to the victim’s mother. This page will …

Drug charges carry severe implications in Panama City. From unlawful possession to drug trafficking, Florida law encompasses a spectrum of drug-related crimes that are each met with lasting repercussions. Depending on the drug and its quantity found in a person’s possession, a drug crime defendant in Bay County could be facing high-cost fines and decades behind bars. While the consequences …

Law enforcement agencies around the world are beginning to question the reliability of police K-9s trained to detect the scent of certain illegal substances. While both State and Federal police have utilized police canines for their enhanced sight and smell, recent data suggests that the alerts given to the canine handlers may be wrong more often than right. Two studies—one …

The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments on November 8, 2023, regarding the proposed ballot measure that could create a constitutional amendment allowing the recreational use of marijuana for adults. The proposed initiative would allow adults in Florida who are 21 years old or older to legally purchase, possess, and use marijuana recreationally. That means while medical marijuana cards still exist, …

A recent ruling made by the Minnesota Supreme Court eliminated the smell of marijuana coming from a motor vehicle as insufficient grounds for police to justify a warrantless search. It is important to note that the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling does not change the legal standards in Florida for determining whether law enforcement may search a vehicle based on the …

A federal court in New Orleans just ruled that restricting marijuana users from possessing a firearm is unconstitutional. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously found the 1968 law conflicts with a citizen’s right to carry a firearm. More specifically, prohibiting a person from purchasing or possessing a firearm when declared an “unlawful user” of …

The legal confusion and misconceptions surrounding medical marijuana continues to puzzle Floridians. In one recent case, a Department of Corrections officer is taking matters to the Florida Supreme Court after getting fired for his prescribed use of medical marijuana for PTSD. The case brings up the ongoing issue of whether Floridians should be allowed to possess a firearm while they …

Florida takes a harsh stance against controlled substances. Those involved in the sale or distribution of unlawful substances may face prosecution in both State and Federal court for drug trafficking. The following lists two recent drug busts in Tallahassee along with relative information on drug trafficking in Florida. Case Details Operation Agua Azul – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has …

When a defendant is convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to probation, it is ultimately the judge who decides on the rules and regulations of the probation term. In Florida, this can include visits with the probation officer and random drug testing. After a recent probation hearing in Florida, a Clearwater judge is now being criticized for not allowing …