Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Preparing For A Sentencing Hearing In Florida
Sometimes, despite the best efforts of yourself and your legal defense team, the facts and circumstances of a case lead to a guilty verdict, or a plea agreement admitting some level of culpability. Most people picture a defendant then being led away in handcuffs to serve out a sentence, like we see on TV… Read More »
Opioid Litigation Defense For Doctors And Pharmacists In The Tampa, Florida Area
Florida has always been a hot spot in the nation’s ongoing opioid addiction crisis. Over 5,000 drug overdose deaths are reported in Florida each year, with about 70% of those deaths linked to opioids. Opioids include morphine, opium, oxycodone, heroin, codeine, fentanyl and other controlled substances that link with opioid receptors in the body’s… Read More »
What Is “White Collar Crime”?
“White collar crime” is part of everyday legal parlance but not everybody is sure what it includes, or where the term comes from. The phrase “White Collar Crime” was first coined in 1939 by Edwin Sutherland in a presentation on business-related crime. Sutherland, a sociologist by trade, addressed a distinction between traditional “blue collar… Read More »
Remembering Your Right To Remain Silent During A Criminal Investigation
“You have the right to remain silent.” Aside from being something you hear while watching a crime drama, these are words you probably never want to hear said to you. If law enforcement is uttering these words, it is often with handcuffs jingling beside them and flashing lights in the background. The well-known “Miranda… Read More »
Drug Possession In Florida: Legal Standards And Potential Defenses
Drug crimes have long been a priority for law enforcement agencies in Florida, given the state’s high population, booming tourism industry, and proximity to drug trafficking routes. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports over 130,000 drug-related arrests each year in Florida, about 18,000 of those in the Tampa area alone. These offenses range… Read More »
Defending Yourself Against An Embezzlement Charge In Florida
“Embezzlement” is a loaded term that can cover a variety of illegal acts. These cases usually make the news when an employee steals money from an employer, or a business owner steals from their own company or associates. Florida sees approximately 1,000 embezzlement arrests annually, with many of those occurring in the Tampa Bay… Read More »
Money Laundering In Florida – What It Is And How To Defend Against Charges
Money laundering refers to the crime of knowingly engaging in a financial transaction or property transfer using the proceeds of illegal activity, with the result being that money, property, or proceeds from a crime are converted to assets that are otherwise lawfully acquired. Under Florida’s Money Laundering Act, a conviction for money laundering requires… Read More »
CARES Act Fraud Defense – What To Know And How To Protect Yourself
In March 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and businesses suffering economic effects due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most well-known relief programs under the CARES Act were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), offering forgivable federal loans for payroll costs, mortgage… Read More »
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Fraud Defense: What You Need To Know
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program under the CARES act has benefitted many, but has also invited scrutiny of certain business practices and loan applications. A recent uptick in federal prosecution for CARES Act fraud may have some business owners wondering about their potential liability, even if they have done nothing wrong. What is… Read More »
COVID-19 Fraud Defense – What To Do If Your Business Is Accused Of Fraud Under The CARES Act
When COVID-19 restrictions sent shockwaves through businesses across Florida and the rest of the U.S., the Federal Government acted by establishing the Paycheck Protection Program, among other measures. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a loan program established within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act to help small businesses keep… Read More »
