Not everyone who is put behind bars belongs there, and sometimes they do, but the sentence they are given can be deemed too long or too hard later on. Fortunately, there’s a legal way to have a prison term shortened or ended immediately. Clemency is a form of...
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Russell A. Spatz
of The Miami-dade State Attorney
Miami Criminal Law Blog
10 New Florida Laws That Went Into Effect on October 1st
Several times a year lawmakers come together to discuss different bills that are up for approval and those that pass through their hoops are sent to the governor for signing. Recently, these meetings took place and many were passed creating new Florida laws that have...
How a Disloyal Attorney Can Affect Your Case
According to the United States Constitution, the Sixth Amendment grants the right for an accused person to have an attorney, or counsel, in a trial with charges against him/her. If there is a deficient performance by that counsel, and the result of the trial may have...
A Miami City Repeals One of Its Unusual Laws
If you often read this blog, then there’s a chance you’ve read about the 10 Weirdest Laws in Florida, but it turns out there’s one we missed and it’s finally being repealed. Did you know that in Opa-Locka, a suburb in Miami Dade, there’s a ban on the wearing of “saggy...
Stand Your Ground Law Saves Unmasked Florida Man from Criminal Charges
In the state of Florida, the 2005 Stand Your Ground law is one that is taken very seriously. This law states, “A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has...
5 Things You Should Know About Your First DUI
Drinking and driving is a criminal offense that can be life altering in many ways. Not only is it extremely dangerous and completely avoidable – especially with such easy access to ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft – but it can also result in jail time, loss of...
Video Surveillance at a North Miami Beach Shooting Saves a Innocent Man From Prison Time
A case of mistaken identity could have cost a Miami Dade man the next two decades of his life. On April 26th, a man entered a North Miami Beach convenience store and got into an argument with the clerk over the price of some cigars. He pulled out a gun and shot at the...
Infractions, Misdemeanors, and Felonies – Oh My!
In the justice system, criminal offenses are classified into categories that differ from state to state. These offenses are labeled under three commonly used terms: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Each of these are decided based on the severity of the crime...
4 Reasons a Judge May Call a Mistrial
A mistrial is the termination and void declaration of a case’s trial by a judge. In order for a judge to call a mistrial there must have been an event or circumstance that has created grounds for a mistrial before the jury or judge has decided on a verdict. A mistrial...
4 Etiquette Tips for Attending a Court Hearing via Zoom
In today’s world it seems there’s nothing that hasn’t been affected by COVID-19. The way we live our lives from going to the grocery store, to children attending school, and even court hearings have altered in order to keep everyone safe and socially distant. If...






