Blog Posts in 2018 Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 31-Dec-2018 What are the Most Common Divorce Myths? If you are interested in filing for divorce, it is common to have many questions about the legal process. While it is natural to seek advice from friends and family, especially those who have experienced divorce for themselves, there are popular ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 28-Dec-2018 What is the Age of Consent in Florida? A person must be old enough to provide consent before he/she can lawfully engage in sexual activity. This is commonly known as the “age of consent.” In Florida, the age of consent is 18 years of age, meaning individuals 17 years old or ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 26-Dec-2018 Can I Avoid Going to Jail for Drug Possession in FL? A first-time drug possession charge is either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the type of controlled substance and the amount found upon an arrest. For example, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis is a first-degree misdemeanor, while ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 24-Dec-2018 How to Prepare for a Child Custody Hearing Going to a child custody hearing can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, especially if you are unfamiliar with the family law process. Before you step foot inside the courtroom, it is crucial to thoroughly prepare to present your case in order ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 30-Nov-2018 How a Personal Injury Award is Divided in a Florida Divorce Suffering an injury caused by a negligent party often results in a substantial personal injury settlement to cover medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. When an injured party is going through a divorce, the most common question that ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Nov-2018 Should I Move Out of the Family Home During Divorce? Divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming process, which means sharing a house with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse can seem like a torturous undertaking. While Florida law allows either spouse to move out of the family home without being punished for ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 16-Nov-2018 Certain Ex-Felons are Now Allowed to Vote in Florida In the aftermath of the midterm elections held last week, Florida voters approved Amendment 4 which automatically restored the voting rights of convicted felons once they complete their sentences (i.e. prison term, parole, and probation). However, ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 31-Oct-2018 Florida Cannabis Laws in 2018 Although legalizing the recreational use of marijuana throughout the United States has been gaining ground during the past decade, not all states are on board. In Florida, cannabis still remains illegal unless it is used for medical purposes. In ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 26-Oct-2018 Your Social Media Activity Can Negatively Affect Your Criminal Case From sharing photos and thoughts to friends and family to keeping up with current news stories, social media has become part of our daily lives. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms have made the world more connected than ever before. ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Oct-2018 5 Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays While co-parenting is often quite a challenge, the holiday season can make the situation more complicated. Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are a time for joy and family togetherness. But for many separated families, ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 18-Oct-2018 Getting Through the Holidays After a Divorce The first holiday season after a divorce can be emotionally overwhelming, especially if children are involved. Many families celebrate traditions (i.e. visiting extended family, travel, rituals, decorating, etc.) they highly anticipate year after ... Continue Reading Posted By the Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 28-Sep-2018 What to Do at a FL DUI Checkpoint Whether it’s the weekend or a national holiday, police throughout the country typically set up DUI checkpoints to arrest drunk drivers and protect other motorists and pedestrians on the roads. Sobriety checkpoints are legal in Florida and do ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 25-Sep-2018 Is Divorce Mediation Right for You? Divorce can be a long and expensive process, especially if one or more issues (i.e. alimony, child custody, property division, etc.) are hotly contested. However, couples who are willing to end their marriage on amicable and respectful terms can ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 21-Sep-2018 5 Common Mistakes Police Officers Make In our last post, we discussed the five common mistakes people make after a DUI arrest. However, it is not uncommon for law enforcement to commit errors during the investigation. If an officer fails to follow strict protocol, it is possible for the ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 18-Sep-2018 5 Common Mistakes People Make After a DUI Arrest One of the most frightening and stressful situations in life is a DUI arrest. Although all hope seems lost, what you do after your arrest can be the difference between conviction and freedom. However, people often make mistakes that jeopardize their ... Continue Reading