Recent Posts in Criminal Law Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 11-Nov-2019 Common Holiday Crimes in Florida Not only are the holidays a merry time of the year, but it is also the season that experiences an increase in criminal activity every year. While many people are attending festive events or buying gifts, others are making mistakes that result in ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 15-Oct-2019 Can You Go to Jail for Missing Jury Duty in Florida? What is Jury Duty? When a person becomes 18 years old in Florida, he/she is eligible for jury duty once a year. Jury service is a mandatory civic duty that is required by law. The main objective of a jury summons is to select 12 jurors from different ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 8-Oct-2019 Florida Laws Taking Effect in October As of October 1, 2019, there are 27 laws now in effect. From texting while driving to hazing, there are many new and updated laws Florida residents must know about. Here are several criminal laws that are now effective immediately: Texting while ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 25-Jul-2019 Can I Travel While on Probation in Florida? Many people and families take vacations in the summer since the sun is out, the weather is warmer, and students are on an extended break. However, those who are currently on probation may be wondering if they can travel outside the county, state, or ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Stepniak Park 23-Jul-2019 Andrew's Law Toughens Florida Hazing Statute At the end of June, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1008—commonly referred to as “Andrew’s Law”—which toughens measures against hazing after loopholes were found after the November 2017 death of Andrew Coffey, a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 18-Jul-2019 Raiding Area 51 Could Lead to Arrest or Worse What started off as a joke event has become a viral meme sensation that has caught the attention of the U.S. military. More than 1.5 million people have RSVP’d to the Facebook event “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All Of Us,” ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 26-Jun-2019 Do I Have to Take a Breath Test After a FL DUI Arrest? After a DUI arrest, the police will ask you to take a breath, blood, or urine test to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) level or how much drugs are in your system. Your BAC or concentration of drugs in your blood will be used in court to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 15-Apr-2019 Is Revenge Porn a Crime in Florida? In today’s society, individuals who are involved in romantic relationships share their affection for one another through texts, e-mails, and even messaging services on social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. In some instances, ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Mar-2019 Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Charged with Solicitation in Florida In late February, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution after visiting the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Juniper, FL on two occasions. The charges come after months of investigation into a ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 27-Feb-2019 What Age Can Juveniles be Tried as Adults in Florida? If your child has been arrested in Florida for allegedly committing a crime, he/she will most likely face the juvenile court system. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice will recommend the next steps in the minor’s adjudication to the ... 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 24-Jul-2018 Does Your Child Legal Counsel during Divorce? At Law Offices of Robert Stepniak, one of the most common questions our Daytona Beach divorce attorney receives is, “Does my child need a lawyer?” The answer: it depends. If you and the other parent agree on custody and visitation, your ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 10-Jul-2018 Supreme Court Rules on Cellphone Location Data Collection In a 5-4 ruling on June 22, the Supreme Court restricted the ability of law enforcement to collect cellphone location history of criminal suspects in a significant win for privacy rights in the digital era and a drawback for police. Led by ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 3-Jul-2018 Florida Fireworks Laws On the Fourth of July, millions of Americans will celebrate the birth of our nation by grilling delicious burgers and hot dogs, hosting pool and beach parties, watching extravagant parades, and setting off fireworks. However, the fireworks laws in ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 2-Aug-2017 The Difference Between Manslaughter and Murder If someone is killed as a result of another’s actions, most people might generally consider this act a murder, but the law is not quite as straightforward. An individual can face either murder or manslaughter charges, both of which can result ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 14-Jun-2017 What Constitutes Criminal Trespassing? Trespassing is unlawfully entering or staying on the property of another after you’ve been warned that your presence is unwelcome. There are many different circumstances that can constitute trespassing, but all cases center on the fact the ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 25-Apr-2017 Who Carries the Burden of Proof in an Expungement Case? Every court of law has a burden of proof. This refers to proving specific elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, in either side’s favor. In some instances, the prosecution carries a burden of proof, which means they will have to prove ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 11-Apr-2017 How a DUI Can Impact Your Life DUIs are one of the most debilitating charges one can ever face, as even one time can lead to severe consequences you will have to endure for the rest of your life. Your personal and professional lives are both at risk, as is your reputation. If you ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 26-Aug-2015 Investigator for State Attorney's Office Arrested for DUI, Resigns Mark Edward Moore is facing criminal charges following a vehicle collision on the evening of March 7th. Moore was charged with DUI, DUI property damage, and DUI causing serious bodily injury. Moore, of Cape Coral, was an investigator with the state ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 18-May-2015 Mother Who Kidnapped Son to Prevent Circumcision Signs Consent Forms After a Week in Jail A mother fighting on behalf of her child will often go to extremes to protect what she believes is right for the child. In a case that just wrapped up in Delray Beach, a mother took the law into her own hands to try to prevent her son’s ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 20-Apr-2015 Don't Want a Divorce? Try BBQ Sauce. Recently in the news, a Florida woman was arrested after things got a bit chaotic between her and her husband. According to the arrest report, the police were called after a man was heard yelling for help. The police arrived to find the man covered ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 17-Jun-2013 Kissimmee Bank Robbery Suspects Arrested A bank in Kissimmee was robbed by two suspects on Monday afternoon. Kissimmee police detectives report the First Southern Bank at 910 West Vine Street was robbed when two men entered the bank, with one man handing a teller a note demanding money ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 9-Jun-2013 Preschool Teacher Arrested on Molestation Charges Coconut Creek Police report they have arrested a preschool music teacher for allegedly sexually molesting two young girls at his place of employment. On Wednesday, Discovery Pre-School Center spokeswoman Bridget Perry, did confirm to the Orlando ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 3-Jun-2013 Director Stealing from Cape Canaveral Festival On a tip that a Cape Canaveral top recreation leader may be stealing from city-run street parties, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department set up a surveillance camera, which captured footage of the employee skimming money from the Friday Fest ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 19-May-2013 Florida Mall Purse-Snatching Suspect Caught A man who is suspected of violently accosting women in mall parking lots and grabbing their purses is behind bars today according to law enforcement authorities. On Friday, authorities say they caught Oscar Villagran the suspect who was snatching ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 12-May-2013 Man beats Girlfriend and Is Charged with Child Abuse Port Orange police report that an 18-year-old man was charged with child abuse along with other charges in the beating of his 17-year-old girlfriend. Dillon Buckinham-Settle and his unnamed girlfriend have been in a relationship for two years, a ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 5-May-2013 BCC Professor Accused of Sex Crime Robert “Chandler” McRee, was arrested on April 27 and charged with lewd and lascivious battery after allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a thirteen-year-old boy. McRee is a Brevard Community College associate professor who taught ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 3-May-2013 Father Kidnaps His Two Young Sons from Their Grandparents in South Florida TAMPA, Fla. – A sailboat is a new clue for authorities investigating the case of a suspected father who kidnapped his two sons, 4-year-old Cole Hakken and 2-year-old Chase Hakken from their grandparents’ home in Florida, after the ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 21-Apr-2013 Low-Level Criminals Participate in Work Farm Program A program that allows low-level criminals to be productive members of the community in Central Florida is the Work Farm Program. The participants in this program are non-violent offenders, who grow and pick vegetables, and then ship these vegetables ... Continue Reading
