Category: Recent News

Criminal Defense, Legal Blog, Recent News, Warrant

Unflattering Facebook Photo Leads to Arrest

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Although not a Florida case, I thought it was worth posting:

A Columbus, Ohio woman was arrested last month after she observed her mugshot posted on the police department’s Facebook page and complained that she wanted it removed. Monica Hargrove’s picture had been posted on the Facebook account as part of the police department’s weekly roundup they refer to as “#WarrantWednesday.” Hargrove reportedly had an outstanding warrant for aggravated robbery and kidnapping. According to Denise Alex-Bouzounis, public information officer at the Columbus Police Department: Hargrove contacted the detective listed on the Facebook post and said, “‘Hey, I want my picture down,’ “[The detective] said, ‘Come on in and we’ll talk about it.'” Hargrove then went to the police station, where she was taken into custody.

Full story found on the Huffington Post, here: Facebook Mugshot Arrest

Anyone whose mugshot is posted on a police Facebook page should contact a criminal defense attorney before heading down to the police station. A criminal defense attorney could facilitate a turn-in and have a bondsman ready. Additionally, a criminal defense attorney will be able to help protect your rights and advise you not to make any statements that could be (and will be) used against you.

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.

Legal Blog, Legislative Update, Marijuana, Recent News

Boynton Beach Marijuana Update

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The Boynton Beach City Commission voted on Tuesday to go forward with the October 21, 2014 hearing to discuss a possible moratorium on businesses in the city from producing or distributing medical marijuana.

The vote was apparently unanimous. After the October 21, 2014 hearing, the Boynton Beach City Commission will have to vote twice on a temporary ban of the businesses in the city from producing or distributing medical marijuana in order for the ban to become official.

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.

Legal Blog, Recent News

Waldo Florida Police Department Disbanded

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The small police department of Waldo, Florida has been disbanded, after officers reported they were forced to meet an “illegal ticket quota.” This news comes just weeks after the police chief resigned

The Waldo Police Department had only seven (7) police officers, yet those seven managed to write 12,000 speeding tickets last year, which resulted in the collection of more than $400,000 in fines.

Waldo’s City Council voted this week 4-1 in favor of eliminating the small police department.

Criminal Defense, DUI, Legal Blog, Recent News

Michael Phelps DUI Arrest

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It seems to be a bad week for celebrity drivers. Michael Phelps was arrested today for his second DUI after a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer observed the Olympian travelling 84 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone. Phelps allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest.

Phelps was previously arrested in 2004 for driving under the influence in Maryland, after which he pled guilty and received a sentence of 18 months probation.

Details about Phelps’ current arrest are still developing.

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.

Criminal Defense, DUI, Legal Blog, Probation, Recent News, VOP

Amanda Bynes DUI Arrest

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Former Nickelodeon Star, Amanda Bynes, was arrested this week for Driving Under the Influence after police determined that Bynes was under the influence of an “unknown drug.” California Highway Patrol allegedly observed Bynes’ vehicle stop in the middle of the intersection after approaching a red light. CHP pulled Bynes over and requested that she perform field sobriety exercises, which she was allegedly unable to complete.

Bynes is reportedly due in court on October 23, 2014.

While Bynes’ recent arrest would typically be charged as a misdemeanor offense, there are some complications in light of the fact that Bynes was sentenced to three years of probation in February stemming from her 2012 DUI arrest.

In Florida, a Second DUI within 5 years of a prior DUI conviction is punishable by 10-270 Days in county jail, a fine of $1,000-$2,000, probation of up to 1 year, 5 years of a driver’s license suspension, 30 days of vehicle immobilization, and 1 year of ignition interlock.

Additionally in Florida, a new arrest while on probation could lead to a violation of probation on the prior charge. This means that in addition to facing criminal liability on the new charge, probation could be terminated as “unsuccessful,” and the original sentence on the underlying crime (in this case it would be the first DUI) could be reinstated.

A Florida criminal defense attorney can review a violation of probation case and determine the proper steps to be taken in defending the VOP. Sometimes, attorneys are able to file motions for in court surrender to avoid jail, or to negotiate with the state attorney to have the terms of probation reinstated. Each case is different. Anyone facing a probation violation in Florida should contact a Florida criminal defense lawyer.

Further, anyone charged with a DUI in Palm Beach County should contact a Palm Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer to review their defense options.

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.