Category: Blog

What is Double Jeopardy? Double Jeopardy shares its name with a game show, but, it is no game. The term double jeopardy has been around since 1905. Double jeopardy is part of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and states; no person shall be subject for the same offense twice. If there is an […]

What is Domestic Violence? Florida Statute 741.28(2) defines domestic violence as, "Any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member." Domestic violence is also referred […]

Culpable Negligence Negligence happens every day in Florida as a result of another person failing to fix, clean or care for something that may cause injury to another person. It can, at times be pure laziness. Chicken grease on a restaurant floor that was not cleaned up, causing someone to slip and fall or a […]

Conspiracy as it Pertains to Florida Law Florida Law Under Florida law, conspiracy is defined as an agreement by two or more persons to commit a criminal offense, with the intent that the crime will be committed. There must be an indication that the involved parties knew the plan and had intended to break the […]

Confession Defined: Confessions are out-of-court statements made by a suspect in which he or she voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently acknowledges that he or she committed or participated in the commission of a crime and which makes it clear that there is no defense in law that would make his or her conduct lawful. Courts and […]

Child Abuse and How Ronald S. Chapman Can Help What Constitutes a Child Abuse Charge? Child abuse is defined as a willful or threatened act resulting in physical, mental or sexual injury causing or likely to cause impairment of physical, mental or emotional health or neglect. Florida’s child abuse laws fall within the penal code. […]

Burglary Burglary, Florida Laws. Burglary is when a person enters or remains in a dwelling or structure with the intent to commit a criminal offense inside or unlawful activity. Burglary is a felony and carries severe penalties such as probation and even prison. During a trial, a prosecutor must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt […]

Bailing and Bonding What should you know and expect about bonding and bailing if you or a loved one is arrested? Some criminal defendants are bailed out and some are bonded out. Bailing When a person is arrested, they go before a judge who will decide the terms of their bail order. Bail is money […]

Asset Forfeiture Asset forfeiture is a confiscation of assets by the state. It can be civil or criminal. It typically applies to alleged proceeds of crime. Asset forfeiture can apply to terrorist activities, drug crimes, and other offenses. The purpose is to disrupt criminal activity by confiscating the funds used to engage in it. Civil […]

Animal Abuse and Florida Law Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is both the unintentional (animal neglect) and the intentional infliction by humans of suffering or harm upon any non-human animal, regardless of whether the act is against the law.Animal Cruelty and Florida Law. Citizens in Florida are extremely sensitive toward […]