Blog Posts in 2018

What is the Difference Between State & Federal Courts?

In the United States, we have two types of courts – state courts and federal courts. The state courts handle violations of state laws, which are enacted by state legislators. Meanwhile, the federal courts handle violations of federal laws, which are established by Congress. State and federal courts have different jurisdiction. Jurisdiction refers to the types of cases a court is authorized or ...

What Does Withhold of Adjudication Mean?

You’re probably aware of the traditional consequences of a criminal conviction – fines and imprisonment, but you may not realize some of the collateral consequences of a conviction, such as losing the right to vote , serve on a jury, and hold public office. A conviction can lead to other consequences as well. Convictions typically affect housing, employment, insurance, college scholarships, and ...

What is Restitution in Florida?

In Florida, certain criminal defendants are ordered by the court to pay what’s called “restitution” to the victims of their crimes. Under Section 775.089 of the Florida Statutes, the court can order that an offender make restitution to their victim(s) for damage or loss caused by the offender’s criminal episode, or indirectly caused by the offense. According to the National Center for Victims of ...

Can I Rent An Apartment With a Criminal Record?

Let’s say you’re about to rent a new apartment. Or, perhaps your existing lease is about to expire and it’s time to talk to the landlord about extending it for another year. If you’re on the lookout for a new place to live, your stuff will soon be packed in boxes and you’ll line up a moving truck. You’ve saved for the deposit. You’ve prepared to have your credit checked, but are you ready to have ...