Pumphrey Law Blog

July 12, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. News & Announcements Social Share

Nxivm is a company created by Keith Raniere that offered self-improvement workshops that promised “a path to happiness [by] seducing wealthy people who felt they lacked a higher purpose in life.”[1] Raniere was hailed as “an elusive, god-like savant within the company” who could cure anxieties and conditions.[2] In reality, this self-help program was a fraud scheme and sex cult …

July 12, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Drone Law, News & Announcements Social Share

Florida Senate Bill 44 (SB-44).[1] was introduced in December of 2020. It proposed an expansion of the authorized use of drones by law enforcement agencies, state agencies, political subdivisions, or by fire department personnel. This bill was approved and went into effect officially on July 1, 2020.[2] Prior to SB-44’s approval, Florida state law prohibited law enforcement agencies from using …

July 9, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. College, College Student Disciplinary Hearing, Criminal Defense Social Share

A Student Conduct Hearing is implemented by Florida universities and established by the school’s president as a means of disciplining students who have violated that particular school’s Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct will outline rules that students attending the university are expecting to abide by, and some include on-campus and off-campus violations alike. The Code should also outline …

July 9, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Litigation is tricky for more reasons that one. The stress of trial can cause some attorneys to forget the importance of preserving issues for appeal or ensuring that the record is all-encompassing. An attorney must plan ahead and preserve the record for appeal, because “if it’s not in the record, it does not exist,” as far as appellate review goes.[1] …

July 8, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. College, College Student Disciplinary Hearing, Criminal Defense Social Share

What is a Student Code of Conduct? A Student Code of Conduct is a set of principles, expectations, and rules that are given to students to communicate the expectations the school has for their behavior. It outlines student rights as well as responsibilities students are expected to uphold. Student Codes of Conduct are intended to preserve academic integrity, as well …

July 8, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Drug Charges, Drunk Driving/DUI, News & Announcements Social Share

Marijuana has been a hot topic in the press and political spheres for years now due to the rapidly changing laws surrounding the drug. Many states are repealing or amending their marijuana laws in light of studies and social consciousness that promote the plant’s benefits[1], like reducing pain for those suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and migraines, managing anxiety, epilepsy, …

July 7, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements Social Share

Since 2008, a year when the world watched Britney Spears suffer harrowing public breakdowns that led to her being put under a 5150 involuntary psychiatric hold, she has been under the conservatorship of her dad, Jamie Spears. Memes have scoured the internet of her shaving her head with a sly manic grin, as well as her attacking the paparazzi with …

July 7, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

Getting arrested does not mean you will spend a significant amount of time in jail following your arrest. In Florida, after a person is booked into jail, there may be a bond set by a judge on the arresting papers. If so, that person is eligible to be released from jail by paying bail. Bail is a refundable deposit that …

July 5, 2021 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense Social Share

On July 1, 2021, The Supreme Court of Florida decided case Cruz v. State[1], affirming the defendant’s convictions for first-degree murder. However, the real importance of this case is their decision to reverse the defendant’s death sentence and remand (send the case back down to the trial court level) for resentencing. Factual Background of the Case In 2019, a unanimous …