Because the Florida courts no longer consider either parent to be innately superior to the other, family attorneys in Florida prefer the term “Time-Sharing Plan” in lieu of “Child Custody Agreement.” The concept, however, is somewhat identical. The time-sharing plan is a schedule of hours the child or children spend with each parent, including where they will spend the night during visits. The time-sharing plans can also outline the details of where and when the children will be transferred, which is particularly beneficial in contentious relationships.
Paternity
Guardianship
WESH 2 News reached out to Kyle Fletcher of The Fletcher Law Firm to provide legal expertise on a local guardianship case.
If you have been accused of a crime or questioned about a crime, whether federal, state or local, you should consult a seasoned criminal defense attorney who can explain your rights, and the criminal process and potential outcomes.
DUI/DWI
A DUI defense attorney can guide you through the legal maze and fines associated with your blood alcohol level, any drugs or paraphernalia found in the course of your arrest, and the legal repercussions associated with previous DUI convictions. Incarceration periods are based on how high the blood or breath alcohol level was at the time of arrest and how many drunk driving offenses have been committed in the past. A good attorney will discuss whether your case has merit to go before the court and seek a drug or alcohol treatment program, which can result in time served if you are facing jail time.
Wrongful Death
Florida personal injury law covers a wide variety of accident types. In most cases, if another party has caused an accident, either directly or indirectly, through neglect or creating an unsafe environment that leaves you injured, the at-fault party can be required to pay damages. Additionally, survivors of individuals who have lost their life (wrongful death) due to negligence of another may also be entitled to compensation and benefits. And finally, depending on your damages and loss, you may need to pursue additional damages, regardless of whether you are covered by insurance or not.
Traffic Violations
Regardless of whether you agreed or not to a breathalyzer test, blood alcohol test or urine test, you need expert legal representation. Florida criminal traffic violations will affect your driving privileges, finances and possibly your freedoms even if you are not a Florida resident.
Sex Crimes
Officials always fully prosecute this type of crime. In Florida, it is a third-degree felony to possess any child pornography of any form. Each individual photo is punishable by up to five years prison time, which includes duplicate images. Prosecutors can request even more prison time if the materials display specific acts or depict any child younger than five years of age.
Fraud
Robbery
Burglary
Theft
Drug Crimes
Most individuals never expected to become drug abusers. However, as more pharmaceuticals are available to the general public, everyday people are finding themselves with unexpected and uncontrollable addictions. Whether you are being investigated by a federal agency or have been arrested for illegal possession of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, painkillers, such as Vicodin or Oxycontin, mood-altering drugs, ecstasy or heroin, you need an attorney who will make you case his priority and mount a vigorous defense. In the State of Florida, drug crimes carry the potential for serious penalties, sentence enhancers and lengthy minimum and maximum incarceration times. Don’t leave your defense in the hands of someone who doesn’t have the resources, trial experience or proven record in developing a winning legal strategy.
Murder
As an overview, almost every crime committed can be prosecuted by the State of Florida; but not every crime committed can be prosecuted by the Federal Government. Federal Courts have jurisdiction over crimes that are in violation of Federal laws only, which usually involve crimes where criminal activity is multi-state (drug conspiracy) or involves a violation of a federally regulated business, such as banks or mortgage companies. Federal courts generally do not have jurisdiction over certain crimes, such as DUI, murder, theft or battery. Federal crimes are always prosecuted after an investigation by a Federal agency, such as the FBI, DEA or ATF.
Juvenile Crimes
Fortunately, there are pathways through the juvenile court system that utilize alternative or treatment options, instead of severe criminal penalties. The juvenile process can abound in opportunities for your child to avoid significant and lasting consequences, which can affect their future education, employment, and criminal record. However, being able to take advantage of these opportunities requires a lawyer with proven experience and a deep understanding of Juvenile Law.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), and Drunk Driving (DD) are very serious charges, whether they stem from alcohol or illegal drugs or medically prescribed ones. Not only will you be subject to suspension of your license, costly legal fees, fines, court expenses, community service and probation, your reputation, employment, subsequent employment, and auto insurance rates can be severely affected. If a DUI, DWI or DD charge is a repeat offense and/or combined with additional charges, such as involving another vehicle, pedestrian, property damage or results in the death of another person, you could be facing jail time to a devastating prison sentence.
If you have suffered an injury that is not work related, you may have what is known as a personal injury case. Personal injury cases require proof that a person or a company is liable for the damages and or losses you sustained.
Being named the personal representative—or executor, as it is often referred to in some states—of a deceased individual’s estate carries tremendous responsibilities. Among other things, the personal representative is the one who oversees the decedent’s property as it passes through the probate process and eventually into the hands of the beneficiaries. Unless the estate is very small, or the personal representative is the sole beneficiary, he or she must retain the services of an estate administration attorney to assist with probate, unless one is designated in the Will.
Power of Attorney
Unfortunately, many aging individuals living apart from family members and relatives are taken advantage of by neighbors, so called friends and too often, by their own children. These individuals may have convinced the vulnerable person to give them a Power of Attorney (POA). With a POA, an individual can take control of the vulnerable person’s assets without going through the process of becoming a legal guardian. This scenario is especially true of the aging population who have become widows or widowers and have accumulated assets. Quite often, they don’t want to worry family members and they become easy targets for those who seek to prey on vulnerable individual’s assets.