Florida Criminal Lawyer Blog

Our South Florida criminal defense attorneys have learned that Florida's crime rate dropped by more 6% last year compared to 2008. Violent crime fell by almost 11%, according to statistics released earlier this week.

This trend played out across South Florida, including Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. However, a spokesman for the Broward County Sherriff's Office said that while the county's 3% drop is encouraging, domestic violence continues to be an issue for the county. In fact, two recent cases involve men who were arrested in connection with their wives' murders.

Governor Charlie Crist said on Wednesday that crime in Florida has dropped to the lowest level in 39 years. He added that this reflects well on law enforcement officers.

Source: Broward County crime drops, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 7, 2010

Continue reading "New Stats Show Crime Down in Broward, Palm Beach County" »

Broward County, Florida. Earlier this week in Fort Lauderdale, Dolphins practice squad player Wilfred "Will" Billingsley was arrested on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence battery and resisting arrest. A Broward County judge ordered Billingsley held on $4,000 bail after he allegedly tried to throw his live-in girlfriend out of their Wilton Manors residence.

When police arrived to investigate the domestic dispute, the girlfriend had scratches on her left upper arm and neck, according to police. The 25-year-old football player has been ordered by a domestic violence judge to avoid contact with his girlfriend. The girlfriend was also arrested on a charge of obstruction after police say she interfered with Billingsley's arrest. She was released after agreeing to appear in front of a judge at a later date.

While the girlfriend insists that Billingsley "didn't do anything," the Broward State Attorney's Office said it has a "pro-prosecution policy" towards domestic violence, meaning it reviews all domestic violence cases for prosecution regardless of whether the victim plans to press charges.

Girlfriend says she won't press charges against Dolphins' Billingsley, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 6, 2009

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Domestic Violence Lawyer - Miami Dolphin Player Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges" »

Our South Florida criminal defense attorneys have been following a news story out of Atlanta involving Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, 25.

Marshall's ex-girlfriend Rasheedah Watley had accused him of pushing her on a bed and grabbing her neck. She testified in court that he had assaulted her during several incidents at the condo they shared in March of last year. Her attorneys showed photos demonstrating Watley's face and neck the morning after the alleged fight. Marshall has been arrested at least four times since March of 2006.

A jury of four women and two men acquitted Marshall of domestic violence charges in less than an hour. He missed a game last season after violating the personal conduct policy. Marshall's suspension had been reduced from three games to one.

Denver WR Marshall acquitted, KansasCity.com, August 15, 2009

Continue reading "Football Star Acquitted of Domestic Violence Charges" »

According to a recent article in the Miami Herald, the police department of Davie, Florida is partnering with Women in Distress (a state-certified domestic violence center serving Broward County) to add a new full time position devoted to investigating domestic violence. Davie Detective Mark Brent is a former burglary detective who has been named to this new position. The move is part of a broader initiative to track trends and monitor domestic violence cases more closely.

According to Brent, his new position differs from investigating burglaries because often suspects can't be found. Most domestic violence cases have an identifiable suspect, and the suspect can often be tracked if police respond to multiple domestic violence calls at the same address.

The town of Davis reported 266 cases of domestic violence in the first six months of this year. In 2008, the total was 446, and in 2007, it was 361, so this could signal a dangerous trend. Across the country, a woman is battered by her husband, boyfriend, or live-in partner every nine seconds, according to Women in Distress of Broward County.

New officer focuses on the victims, Miami Herald, August 16, 2009

Continue reading "Davie Criminal Lawyer Discusses Addition of Domestic Violence Detective to Davie Police Department" »