When news broke that Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover crash and arrested on suspicion of DUI in Jupiter Island, it immediately raised serious legal questions. As a Florida DUI defense attorney, I pay close attention to cases like this because they highlight how DUI investigations actually unfold in real time—especially when impairment is suspected from substances other than alcohol.
Continue reading ›If you are facing charges for drug conspiracy or possession with intent to distribute, the most critical element of the government’s case is often the one hardest to prove: Knowledge. In the federal system, and specifically within the jurisdiction of the 11th Circuit (which covers Florida), simply being near drugs or even transporting them is not enough to prove a crime.
Continue reading ›The End of ‘Plain Smell’ Justification: New Cannabis Ruling Alters Probable Cause for DUI-Drug Arrests A recent, transformative decision from the Second District Court of Appeal, Darrielle Ortiz Williams v. State of Florida, has dramatically shifted the legal landscape for cannabis-related cases in Florida. This ruling, which dismantled the “plain smell doctrine,” is a game-changer…
Continue reading ›Odor of Cannabis in Florida The Odor of Cannabis in Florida: A Legal Perspective Florida court upholds probable cause based on the odor of marijuana for vehicle searches despite hemp and marijuana legalization. Legal insights for defendants. We concede, without affirmatively holding, that such a circumstance (such as where the individual has a lawful prescription…
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