Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Police Hunt for Beer Thieves in Fort Myers
Theft of alcohol is relatively common in Fort Myers. Each year, numerous reports highlight incidents involving the theft of beer, wine, and liquor across the city. In some cases, the value of the stolen alcohol is worth thousands of dollars. A recent case involves the theft of beer, and these alleged thieves are currently… Read More »
Tossing Drugs While Fleeing on Foot: How Can Police Prove They Were Yours?
A common theme in Fort Myers drug cases involves suspects allegedly tossing away controlled substances while being pursued by police. When these substances are recovered by officers, they become important evidence. But how exactly do officers prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that the suspect tossed the items? What happens if they never saw the suspect… Read More »
Naples Lululemon Worker Charged with Fraud and Grand Theft in Complex Scheme
As the cost of living increases in Naples, various employees may feel tempted to defraud their employers. This type of crime can take many forms, ranging from the minor theft of a few dollar bills to extremely elaborate schemes. A recent case in Naples shows just how complex these schemes can become in the… Read More »
Avoiding Incarceration for White Collar Crimes in Florida
Although Florida takes white-collar crimes seriously, these offenses are almost always completely non-violent. In some cases, these crimes are also “victimless.” Based on these factors, it may seem unreasonable to face incarceration alongside some of the Sunshine State’s most violent criminals. With assistance from a Fort Myers criminal defense attorney, defendants may avoid incarceration… Read More »
Penalties for Mail Theft in Florida
With the rise of online shopping, mail theft is becoming especially common throughout Florida. The incentive to steal parcels, mail, and even entire delivery trucks becomes even higher during the holiday season – when Floridians ship more high-value mail than at any other time. Defendants should be aware of the penalties for these offenses,… Read More »
What to Do if Accused of COVID Relief Fraud in Fort Myers
COVID fraud is fast becoming the most common white collar crime in the United States, with hundreds of new criminal cases announced by the Justice Department each month. Almost every jurisdiction across the nation has open cases regarding these alleged crimes – including Fort Myers. If you have been accused of COVID relief fraud,… Read More »
HB 549 Could Increase Theft Penalties in Florida
Over the past few months and years, politicians and business owners have raised considerable concerns about rising levels of theft across the nation. Florida is no exception, and many lawmakers in the Sunshine State want to respond with more serious penalties for theft. The central issue seems to be retail theft – also known… Read More »
What Happens if I Resist an Unconstitutional Arrest in Florida?
Under the Constitution, all US citizens are protected against unreasonable searches and seizures. So what happens if a police officer attempts to arrest you in an unconstitutional manner? This is a very complex situation, and it may make more sense to simply comply with the officer. After you connect with a defense lawyer in… Read More »
Easiest Ways to Violate Your Probation in Fort Myers
It may be easier to violate your probation than you think. Although it’s true that you should avoid further crimes while on probation, you can violate the terms of your probation without doing anything technically “illegal.” In addition, the terms of each probation order vary from case to case, further complicating things. Here are… Read More »
The Dangers of Brandishing Weapons on Social Media in Florida
Brandishing weapons on social media is rarely a good idea. Even if you own the weapon legally, it could attract the wrong kind of attention from law enforcement – and in some cases, it could lead to criminal consequences. If you do not own the weapon legally, criminal consequences are almost guaranteed. Law enforcement… Read More »