The Khonsari Law Firm Blog

Do You Have to Provide a Breath Sample During a ‘Driving Under the Influence’ Stop?

In the State of Florida, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Breathalyzer test results are often the most important piece of evidence for a Florida prosecutor to have at her disposal during a criminal trial or during plea bargain negotiations. Under Florida law, you are required to take a [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 15, 2017

The Juice is (Almost) Loose: Parole and Probation Violations

On July 20th of this year, one of the most noted parole hearings in recent memory resulted in former NFL-player and actor O.J. Simpson winning his case for freedom. O.J., who was convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault with a deadly weapon, served the minimum amount of his 33-year sentence and could be released as early as October 2017. [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 13, 2017

A Fourth Amendment Primer: What Florida Residents Should Know About Their Constitutional Rights

The United States Constitution gives us inalienable rights and legal protections that are taken very seriously in the U.S. legal system. One of the most common constitutional amendments to affect criminal defendants is the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment reads: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effe [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 10, 2017

Don’t Do What this Guy Did: What to Do When You Get Pulled Over for Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious crime that can land you in a great deal of legal trouble. Not only is it a crime, but it also places you and anyone else in your vehicle at risk of serious injury. Worst of all, drunk driving can potentially harm completely innocent pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles. Naturally, the easies [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 8, 2017

St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney

All About House Arrest: Looking at Florida’s Community Control Program

When you hear the words “house arrest,” what comes to mind? You may first think of a colloquial use of the term, meaning to ground an unruly teenager. Alternately, images of Lindsay Lohan or Bernie Madoff may come to mind, celebrities who were given a proverbial slap on the wrist by the courts because of their status. These ideas, however, don� [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 6, 2017

Voting Rights for Felons Are Up for Debate in Florida

It is your right as an American to vote, right? Well, once you are a convicted felon, that can be debatable. If you have committed a crime and served your time, then you should be able to vote; that is the way many Americans see the issue. Why should this burden follow you for eternity? It is almost as if your past is on your shoulder all the time. [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 3, 2017

You Have the Right to Remain Silent: Your Miranda Rights

You have probably heard this many times on TV crime dramas: "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…” Yes, these are the words spoken by a police officer to a suspect who has been placed under arrest, otherwise known as the Miranda warning. Where Did the Miranda Warning Come Fro [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 31, 2017

Is Asking for a Lawyer an Indication of Guilt?

Under both the Florida Constitution and the Constitution of the United States (specifically the Fifth Amendment), a person may not be compelled to testify as a witness against himself in a criminal interrogation or prosecution. This is called the Fifth Amendment Right against Self-Incrimination. Moreover, a suspect’s request for counsel in respon [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 26, 2017

The Heat of Passion: Mitigating Murder to Manslaughter

Murder is the most serious criminal charge you can sustain in the State of Florida, and the possible penalties upon conviction include long periods of incarceration and heavy fines. These penalties may be lessened considerably if you are able to plead your murder charge(s) down to a manslaughter charge. If you have been charged with murder or mansl [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 23, 2017

Background Check Got You Worried?

Plenty of people are looking for new jobs and better opportunities. But the prospect of new employment may also include the concern and hesitation of a background check. More than ever, employers are requesting background checks prior to employment. And with greater access to public records and databases via the internet, background check companies [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 21, 2017