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 …

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 …

The Lockstep Doctrine refers to the principle that state courts, when presented with a federal question, are not bound by the decisions of any federal court deciding on that question except for the United States Supreme Court. This doctrine stemmed from the theory that federal courts “were originally created to coordinate with state courts, [and] with the exception of the …

The insanity defense is one of the most well-known defenses in pop culture. Famous insanity defense cases include the trial of notorious serial killer Jeffery Dahmer who pled not guilty by reason of insanity, Kenneth Bianchi, better known as serial killer “The Hillside Strangler” who feigned a mental illness in custody in the hopes of raising an insanity defense, and …

What is Cyberstalking? When you think of stalking, you probably think of someone who is monitoring every move of someone else and actively pursuing them. Most often, it takes place between two people who had some kind of romantic relationship in the past. However, the internet has made stalking significantly easier. To combat this issue, Florida enacted Section §784.048 of …

What is a Polygraph or Lie Detector Test? Polygraph examinations have become culturally iconic tools used in movies and television whose subject matter is criminal investigations. A polygraph test uses a recording instrument that records physiological changes in the body in order to examine whether a lie is being told based on the subject’s heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and …

What Is Revenge Porn? Revenge porn is when a revealing or sexually suggestive image of someone is posted online without their consent, typically by a former romantic partner, with the goal of causing them embarrassment or distress.[1] This content is often shared with a partner in a trusted exchange and then is eventually used to “take someone in their most …

Wrongful Convictions Resulting from Eyewitness Identification Eyewitness identification occurs in a case in which an eyewitness identifies the suspect to the police. Though eyewitnesses can be crucial in solving a case, the dangers of misidentification are all to present. In fact, eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest factor contributing to wrongful convictions in the United States.[1] According to recent data, …

A conviction of Driving under the Influence (DUI) can have extremely significant impacts on all areas of your life. These penalties and ramifications increase significantly depending on prior convictions: First DUI Jail – Up to 6 months If BAC over .15, or minor in the car = 9 months If cause of accident = 12 months License suspension – 6 …