January 7, 2018
Read MoreThe Khonsari Law Firm Blog
The Importance of Objections at Trial
A criminal prosecution has several stages and your trial is not always the final stage. If you’re convicted, you will then have the right to an appeal, in which you ask a higher court to set aside your guilty verdict because of errors made in the court below. But to set yourself up for a successful appeal, you need to give the trial judge a chanc [...]
St. Petersburg DUI FAQ
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious offense that requires a careful legal response. At Khonsari Law Group, we receive dozens of questions each week from people pulled over for suspected DUIs. Here are answers to some of the most common questions.
How Much Can I Drink Without Getting Arrested?
The amount depends on the person. According t [...]
January 5, 2018
Read MoreSix Tips for Being an Effective Witness
Testifying in court at a criminal trial can be a nerve-wracking experience. Not only are you speaking in front of people you don’t know, but you also might be aggressively cross-examined by an aggressive prosecutor. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help you survive your time on the stand with flying colors.
Tip #1: Look Good
This is a [...]
January 4, 2018
Read MoreWhat Is Grand Theft in Florida?
In Florida, grand theft is the term used when someone takes property intentionally and without permission. If you stand accused of grand theft, then you need an aggressive St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney to defend you.
Grand Theft Defined
Section 812.014 of the Florida Statutes defines grand theft as consisting of the following elements:
[...]
January 3, 2018
Read MoreThe Jury Selection Process
As a defendant, you have the right to a jury trial in a criminal case, except if you are accused of a minor infraction. If the state charges you with a capital crime, your jury will consist of 12 persons; otherwise, your jury will contain six members. These people, whom you have never met, will hold your fate in their hands. For this reason, jury s [...]
January 2, 2018
Read MoreAppealing a License Suspension in a DUI Case
You can lose your license as part of an administrative suspension even before a DUI conviction. Fortunately, you can file an appeal, but you’ll need the help of an experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney to guide you through the process. Bringing an appeal requires organization and familiarity with the law, which many people find dif [...]
January 1, 2018
Read MorePenalties for Identity Theft in Florida
Identity theft can result in financial devastation for victims, and for this reason, Florida law criminalizes and imposes severe penalties for several different forms of identity theft. The most important are:
Criminal use of personal identification information. A person who commits this crime possesses someone’s personal identification witho [...]
December 31, 2017
Read MoreWhat to Do if You’re Accused of Shoplifting over the Holidays?
During the busy holiday season, store owners will look out for shoplifting. It’s not beyond possibility that a merchant might confront you, either in the store or in the parking lot, and accuse you of stealing. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Don’t Fight
Even if the store has the wrong person, you’ll only make things worse for yourself if [...]
December 30, 2017
Read MoreCommon Fourth Amendment Violations in Drug Cases
So the police caught you with illegal drugs in your possession. Now what? Although the police might pressure you to confess, you should instead carefully analyze whether police legally conducted the drug bust. Fortunately, the U.S. Constitution puts strict limits on how police can investigate potential drug crimes. If you are charged with drug poss [...]
December 29, 2017
Read MoreFlorida’s Stand Your Ground Law: An Overview
The killing of Trayvon Martin shined a spotlight on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. This poorly understood 2005 law seems here to stay. If you’ve defended yourself using force, then you’ll need to know how the law can possibly protect you from prosecution.
The Old Self-Defense Law
United States common law is the set of rules that early [...]
December 28, 2017
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