Florida Criminal Lawyer Blog

A 23-year-old has been arrested on charges that she allegedly sold the personal information of a person who survived the Holocaust, NBC Miami reports.

Charges of identify theft in Fort Lauderdale have become more and more prevalent as millions of Americans have access to computer networks and the Internet. They can use this access to create identity theft schemes that can steal away millions of dollars.

And South Florida has a bad reputation for these types of white-collar schemes because there are many older citizens who may be vulnerable to these types of crimes. But as Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyers know, not everyone who is arrested is guilty.

It takes a sophisticated scam to steal money by using Social Security numbers, addresses, names and other information. The average person can't do it without training and research, and sometimes authorities simply don't have the evidence to connect a person to the crime.

Criminal charges can stem from stealing credit card numbers, purchasing items with stolen credit cards, applying for loans and outright stealing money.

In this situation, a woman who worked for Jewish Community Services of South Florida in North Miami was arrested after being set up by authorities. As a worker with the organization, the woman had access to the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of 30 people.

An informant had contacted her and offered her $1,000 for some information so that the informant could file fraudulent tax returns. When the woman met the informant and agreed to make the purchase, she was later arrested.

The organization's officials have said they will cooperate with police and will notify the potentially affected alleged victims to help them take measures to guard their identities.

Years ago, people may have worried about thieves taking their credit cards to rack up charges for which they could later seek reimbursement from the credit card company. Today, if a person's identity is stolen or his or her personal information is otherwise compromised, it can be used in a way that can damage credit scores and cause financial disaster.

Identity theft charges in Florida can lead not only to serious prison time, but also possible probation and major monetary penalties. A person who is convicted of the charge can be forced to pay back the money that was lost either to the victim or to his or her lending institution. Plus, vehicles and other property purchased with the money allegedly gained from the scheme may also be forfeited.

And authorities are taking a hard-line stance against people charged with these crimes in Florida because of the senior population. It's important to note that hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer is your best chance to fight off the charges.

There are defenses that can be presented and the charges can be beaten. But it takes time and the commitment of a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer who is dedicated to fighting on your behalf.

Continue reading "Woman Accused of Selling Holocaust Survivors' Identification in Fort Lauderdale" »

The Sun-Sentinel recently reported that a man, woman and dog were spotted on video breaking into city hall in Pembroke Pines to steal computers.

It's unlikely the dog gets charged criminally, but charges of grand theft in Fort Lauderdale can lead to severe penalties for defendants.

Like any charge, theft charges can range in severity from something minor like shoplifting to something more severe, such as burglary or robbery. In Florida, the charge is also based on what was stolen.

Prosecutors will attempt to prove the value of what was taken while they try to show that the defendant was the one who stole. This is an important element of the crime of theft in Florida. If the value of the goods is very high, the charge can be considered grand theft and can range from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony.

That's a difference of five years in prison up to 30 years in prison or life. So, this is a critical element in theft cases that an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer must challenge.

In this case, city officials said two computers were stolen at the city building. Video surveillance showed a man wearing black pants and a plaid shirt one recent weekend afternoon when the building was open for a function. He took the elevator to the sixth floor, where commissioners and the mayor share office space, the newspaper reports.

The video also allegedly shows the man taking two desktop computers from that area and down a stairwell, where a woman and a toy breed dog held a back door open. They allegedly drove of in a gold sedan.

At this point, the two haven't been found and it's unclear what charges they would face, if convicted. The value of the two computers hasn't been released. Officials said that the computers were connected to a server with potentially secure information, but once the computers were disconnected from the network, that information wouldn't be accessible.

They don't believe the thieves were looking for anything specific, but only the newest computer models in the office. They were recently upgraded.

What could be a key element of the case is whether or not the video surveillance is clear or does a good job showing the faces of the participants. It's also unclear whether there is outside surveillance that may have caught the car or a license plate number.

Many times in burglary cases, police rely on grainy or unclear video surveillance to seek a search warrant on someone they may recognize or whom they may identify as a suspect. But without a clear shot from the tape, sometimes the identity of the person isn't clear and can lead to a false arrest.

There are many elements to a theft or burglary case that must be taken into consideration to ensure the defendant gets a fair trial. Investigating the facts and scrutinizing witnesses are only the beginning.

Continue reading "Only in Florida: Man, Woman, Dog Accused of Computer Theft" »

Gas prices are high and they don't appear to be dropping any time soon.

But authorities allege that a one-time Palm Beach County employee went a step too far when he used his county-issued gas card to fill up his own car, WPBF reports.

Everyone learns at a young age what stealing means. In Florida, the crime can be punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Either way, the charges should be fought aggressively by an experienced West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney.

Grand theft in Fort Lauderdale is a serious criminal charge that carries the real threat of prison time. And a criminal conviction can lead to job loss, disqualification of government-based benefits and loss of other liberties. Even if a person faces a misdemeanor charge, they shouldn't think they can face the charge alone.

According to the news station, the worker was a storekeeper for the Palm Beach County Purchasing Department from 2008 until earlier this year. The state alleges the man filled his personal vehicle with gas on the county taxpayer dime 40 times, costing more than $3,000.

The news station alleges that the man told authorities his county vehicle would nearly run out of gas several times, so he used his own money to fill that vehicle and, in turn, used his gas card for his own vehicle to make up the difference.

Charges of grand theft in Fort Lauderdale are defined under Florida Statutes 812.014. Under that set of laws, theft means knowingly taking or using the property of another to deprive the other person of the property or using the property without having a right to do so.

The penalties for these theft charges range, depending on the alleged value of the amount stolen. In this case, the value of the alleged stolen gas money is set at around $3,000, meaning the former worker is charged with third-degree grand theft, which is punishable with up to five years in prison, if convicted. For third-degree grand theft, a person must have taken something valued at up to $20,000, a gun, vehicle, a person's will or other specific things.

The higher the value of what is alleged to have been stolen, the more serious the charge. A second-degree felony in Florida can be punished with a 15-year prison sentence, while a first-degree felony can result in up to 30 years in prison for a person who is convicted.

Obviously, the charges are serious, but sometimes the prosecution has a difficult time proving the value of what is said to be stolen. And if the defense can disprove certain things were stolen, the value can drop and so can the possible penalties.

Also in theft cases, the state can seek restitution, which means money that must be paid back to the victim. So, if the state secures a conviction against a person who steals $10,000 from a company or another person, they may be sent to prison and then once they serve their prison sentence have to pay back $10,000. That can be a large burden for a person who is fresh out of prison and has to find work to get back on their feet. That's just another reason why fighting these charges is necessary.

Continue reading "Former Palm Beach County Employee Faces Grand Theft Charge" »

A former Transportation Security Administration employee at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was charged with grand theft after allegedly stealing from passengers over the last few months, Fox News reports.

Grand theft charges in Fort Lauderdale can be filed as either first-degree, second-degree or third-degree felonies. Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorneys are always available for those who are being investigated for serious charges. Because serious theft crimes can be punishable by long prison terms, the allegations must be defended vigorously.

But this isn't the first allegation of TSA agents stealing from passengers. In New York, authorities are investigating how $100 went missing from the bag of a 16-year-old at JFK Airport, the New York Post reports. And The Associated Press reports that a TSA agent from Los Angeles International Airport has been indicted on theft charges.

In the case in Fort Lauderdale, the 30-year-old former agent is accused of stealing electronics from passengers in checked luggage, taking photos, posting the items to Craigslist and selling them, sometimes by the end of his work shift.

Among the items he allegedly stole, according to Broward County Sheriff's Office deputies, were iPads, computers, small video cameras and a GPS device. He had been a TSA agent since January 2009 before he was arrested. Investigators allege he conducted the scam for six months and stole about $50,000 in merchandise.

While the article doesn't specify, it appears likely that the man will face grand theft in the second-degree, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Theft charges can range from shoplifting to armed robbery and the punishment varies, typically depending on whether weapons were involved and the amount of the stolen goods.

According to Florida Statute 812.014, grand theft can be punished as a third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison), a second-degree felony (up to 15 years in prison) or a first-degree felony (up to 30 years in prison).

While the differences for the three levels of charges vary, they mostly come down to the amount of the alleged property stolen. For a first-degree felony, the amount stolen must be between $20,000 and $100,000 and meet other criteria. If the value is between $20,000 to $100,000, it is a second-degree felony and up to $20,000 is a third-degree felony.

In allegations such as these, where the theft is committed over time and with the possibility of many people being able to commit the crime, prosecutors must have an abundance of proof in order to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a high standard that must be met in order to show the person committed the crime.

In this case, where possessions were allegedly sold after being stolen, the state must be able to prove where the possessions are now and that they were taken by the defendant. Video surveillance and eye witness accounts must be vigorously defended in order to ensure justice is done in these types of cases.

Continue reading "TSA Employee Charged with Thefts at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport" »

A man was arrested recently and charged by Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies with stealing a plane from a Lantana flight school and also stealing a luxury car from a Palm Beach resort, ABC News reports.

According to Florida Statutes 812.014, the value of the property that is stolen determines the degree of the penalty. Theft can range from theft to grand theft to robbery. Grand theft is a first-degree felony and can be punishable by 30 years to life in prison.

So, while some people belief theft is a minor crime, its penalties can be quite severe. And hiring an experienced West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer will help protect a defendant's rights. Charges of grand theft in Broward County require a lawyer who can look at all the facts and challenge witnesses as well as reports and police findings.

In this case, the man allegedly went to the flight school and asked an instructor about the cost of renting a plane. According to police, he broke into a Cessna and drove it about 50 feet before crashing it into a parked plane at Palm Beach County Park Airport in June.

When deputies released a sketch of the man, Palm Beach police told deputies he resembled a man who had recently been arrested on grand theft auto charges at The Breakers. There, he allegedly took some keys from behind the valet desk and stole an Infinity G37. In that car, police reported they found keys to a different stolen vehicle.

Obviously, this man faces many charges. And if the news reports are accurate, he faces an uphill battle fighting both sets of charges because he was caught in the act. But, there may be mitigating factors that could help his case. It's unclear why law enforcement needed a sketch of the man to connect him to separate crimes each agency was handling.

In order to successfully defend these cases, an attorney must be hired immediately upon arrest so that as soon as the state has reviewed detectives' reports and witnesses statements and they decide which charges to file, a defense attorney is able to review the evidence and begin building a defense.

A criminal case is fluid, meaning that as evidence pours in from detectives to prosecutors, the defense also gets copies. So, whether it's DNA evidence that takes time to be processed at a state-run lab, detectives re-interviewing witnesses, getting surveillance footage that is requested and obtained by police or other pieces of evidence, the case continues developing.

A prepared defense lawyer will aggressively confront witnesses, whether lay witnesses or police, diligently review all the evidence, including reports and statements and seek to ban its entry into the case through filing motions. A good attorney can convince a judge to get enough time to work on the case so that it isn't rushed to trial.

All of this requires getting involved in the case immediately, so if you face theft charges in Boca Raton or throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, contact our law firm as soon as possible.

Continue reading "Man Charged With Stealing Plane in Palm Beach County" »

Five Fort Lauderdale men have been charged with participating in a burglary ring that extends from Florida through Georgia and into South Carolina, ABC News reports.

Fort Lauderdale Burglary Defense Lawyers have decades of experience as state prosecutors, so we know how the state attorney thinks and how they will work to obtain a conviction against our clients. That's why we have the experience to defend Fort Lauderdale burglary cases and other charges that the state brings against defendants every day.

According to the news reports, the five men -- ages 23 to 34 -- targeted liquor stores, cell phone stores, electronics stores and retail outlets in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says the men committed more than 250 burglaries, stealing alcohol, cell phones, televisions and other electronics worth more than $1 million.

Authorities said the men stole in 18 different Florida counties and they expect to make more arrests.

Large-scale investigations that agents take on like this can be very complex, with thousands of pages of documentation and discovery information to analyze and study. These types of cases typically take a long time to resolve and hiring the right attorney can make all the difference for the defendant.

Sometimes, successfully negotiating a plea deal can mean keeping a charge like burglary off a person's criminal history record. Less serious charges from burglary, such as possession of stolen goods or trespassing, could help reduce the consequences of a conviction. Lesser charges could mean less severe consequences in the event you are charged again in the future.

But it sometimes takes a full-court press defense and preparation for trial to get the best possible outcome in these cases. Burglary in Fort Lauderdale (Florida Statute 810.02) is punishable all the way from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony, depending on the circumstances. So, beating that charge and getting a jury to acquit may be the best strategy.

If someone uses a weapon and enters an occupied building, they can go to prison for life. If no weapon is used, but someone is in the building, they can face up to 15 years. Simply committing a burglary where there are no people involved can put a person in prison for five years. And most defendants aren't charged with one count of burglary. Five counts of stealing from a home or business means a possible 25-year sentence.

So, how important is it to consult with a team of attorneys who are on the cutting edge of defense tactics in South Florida? Don't do anything before you talk with Fort Lauderdale Burglary Lawyers. Call today.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Men Charged in Multiple State Burglary Ring" »

Police recently arrested four young adults for allegedly burglarizing cars in Boca Raton city parks after pulling a vehicle over near one of the parks, The Palm Beach Post reports.

In cases of car burglaries, it is often difficult for law enforcement to prove unless the suspect is caught in the act. Fort Lauderdale theft lawyers have years of experience dealing with burglaries and will pull out all the stops in defense of your case.

In this case, police received reports of vehicles being broken into at certain public parks. On patrol, officers pulled over a vehicle occupied by three men and a girl, according to the news report. Officers said they smelled marijuana and found broken glass on the floorboards and a tool used to break windows.

The newspaper reports that two of the suspects told police they were looking for vehicles to burglarize at city parks and at Florida Atlantic University and admitted to breaking into several cars, describing some of the stolen items. They are charged with theft (812.014), burglary (810.02), possession of burglary tools (810.06) and possession of marijuana (893.13).

What this case may come down to is whether police had probable cause to make the traffic stop in the first place. Probable cause is the standard law enforcement must abide by in pulling over vehicles and making arrests. In order for the evidence they found to stand in court, the stop must be lawful.

This is an area where law enforcement officers are often criticized for racial profiling. If they have no reason to pull over a vehicle other than they believe the occupants look "suspicious," it's possible they had no reason to pull over the vehicle in the first place.

The obvious flaw for several of the suspects is talking to police. Many times defendants, especially young defendants, try to explain their way out of a crime. While it may make the person feel better to tell what they did, it makes their case much more difficult. And while most people are taught to trust police growing up, that advice can be thrown out the window when someone is being investigated by police. They are legally allowed to lie to suspects to try to get a confession.

The best bet for a suspect is to remain silent and speak with a qualified attorney immediately. Fort Lauderdale burglary charges are serious and if police are able to link a suspect to several cases, the charges can add years to a potential prison sentence. At the minimum, a single burglary conviction can put a person in prison for five years if there is no violence, weapons or past criminal charges. From there, the penalties only increase.

Continue reading "Boca Raton Police Arrest Four in Car Theft Bust" »

Public corruption charges in Broward or Palm Beach counties are nothing new. In fact, the area has had some of the nation's most high-profile cases in recent years.

Still, the 13 arrests last week in a Palm Beach County public corruption case marks one of the big cases in recent memory. Such cases often lead to additional charges as defendants begin working with authorities to reduce their own legal exposure. Consulting a Palm Beach criminal defense attorney is critical for those arrested as well as those who have reason to suspect that the arrests could move the investigation in their direction. Consulting experienced and qualified legal advice at the earliest stages of such cases is the best bet for building a solid defense, while fighting to protect your freedom and future financial well-being.

The Sun-Sentinel reports 13 defendants, including seven current or former city or county employees, face 77 criminal charges in connection with an equipment company that allegedly used bribes to secure city and county business.

Bribes included NASCAR races, Disney vacation and expensive jewelry, according to authorities. Criminal charges include racketeering, money laundering and unlawful compensation. Unlike previous corruption probes that targeted public officials, authorities say this scam targeted mid-level government employees. Authorities claim to have connected $90,000 worth of vacations, cash cards and gifts, which they claim were bribes to employees in Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, Port St. Lucie and Sarasota County.

The investigation into the company's activities result in the owner's arrest last April. He was charged with one count of unlawful compensation and faced up to 15 years in prison. The Sun-Sentinel reported the other municipalities "came under scrutiny as a result of further digging."

Continue reading "Public Corruption Charges in Broward and Palm Beach require Experienced Defense Lawyer" »

Our Broward County criminal defense attorneys have learned that a Broward County detective was suspended without pay following his arrest on a charge of grand theft. He allegedly took $1,220 seized during a drug bust at a Pompano Beach apartment.

The sheriff’s complaint affidavit states that deputies arrived at the apartment last December after receiving a call from a property manager who’d discovered marijuana plants at the apartment. Deputies found over $2,000 in the pants pocket of one of the tenants when he arrived home. The detective told deputies to leave the money inside the apartment. They counted the money three times while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive.

Later, the detective reportedly refused help from other deputies as he stayed alone in the apartment for unspecific length of time. When the detective and the sergeant later counted the money, they found that over a thousand dollars was missing. According to a sheriff’s investigation, the detective was the only person with access to the money and the opportunity to steal it.

Though the tenants of the apartment were charged with child neglect and one tenant was charged with marijuana possession and drug trafficking, those charges were dropped earlier this year.

Source: Broward sheriff's detective suspended after his grand theft arrest, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 27, 2010

Continue reading "South Florida Detective Arrested for Alleged Grand Theft" »

Our South Florida criminal defense attorneys have been reading about crime statistics released by the FBI earlier this week. According to the stats, crime decreased nationwide in 2008. However, while violent crime in South Florida has declined, Florida Department of Law Enforcement statistics from earlier this year show that property crimes such as auto theft, larceny, and burglary are actually increasing in some parts of Florida.

In Broward County, property crimes increased by 4.32 percent, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Tamarac saw double-digit increases in property crimes. Most agencies in Palm Beach County saw decreases in violent and property crimes, but violent crime in Boynton Beach increased by 2.7 percent.

Law enforcement officials in Broward and Palm Beach cited the economic downturn as a motivating factor for property crimes, because some people are becoming increasingly desperate.

Broward, Palm Beach County violent crime drops in 2008, South Florida Sun Sentinel, September 14, 2009

Continue reading "Property Crime Up in Broward County, Other Parts of Florida" »

Last week, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced that they believe the 28 robberies of 7-Eleven and other stores were all committed by the same suspect, an armed man wearing saggy pants and a green mask.

The robberies date back to November, but the most recent incident occurred at 4am on Thursday at a 7-Eleven in Oakland Park. No one was injured, but the Broward Sheriff's office said it has had enough.

Over half of the robberies in Broward County and West Palm County were at 7-Eleven convenience stores. The robber also held up a Subway, a Walgreens, and KFC. 7-Eleven has offered a $10,000 reward for the suspect's arrest and Crime Stoppers is adding an additional $2,500, bringing the total to $12,500.

Most of the incidents occurred during the early hours of the morning. Surveillance videos show a male between 5 foot 9 and 6 feet tall, weighing between 170 and 180 pounds.

BSO: Same robber responsible for 28 stickups of 7-Elevens, other stores in Broward, Palm Beach counties, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 16, 2009

Continue reading "Palm Beach, Broward County Robberies Linked to Same Man" »

A Palm Beach County Circuit Judge has sentenced an 81-year-old pastor at Delray Beach’s St. Vincente Ferrer to 14 months in prison, followed by seven years probation. Father John Skehan pleaded guilty to grand theft over $100,000 and showed remorse for stealing from his congregation. Another priest, Father Francis Guinan, already stood trial for grand theft and was convicted of a lesser charge.

Although Florida state’s minimum sentencing guidelines require 20 months of jail time, the judge reduced the sentence because of Skehan’s age, his admission of guilt, and the fact that he has made over $700,000 in restitution. The Diocese of Palm Beach and members of the church pleaded on Skehan’s behalf, but the judge refused to drop the jail time, calling Skehan’s crime “pure greed unmasked.”

Now Skehan must surrender himself to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on or before May 1. His defense attorney said he was disappointed by the sentencing but not surprised because of the intense media scrutiny the trial has attracted.

Judge orders one Delray Beach priest to prison, calls theft 'greed unmasked;' second priest's sentencing today, Palm Beach Post, March 24, 2009

Continue reading "Delray Beach Criminal Lawyer Discusses Father Skeehan Prison Sentence" »