Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Homeless Man Beaten by Lee County Cop Gets $400,000 Settlement
While many law enforcement officers carry out their duties lawfully, incidents involving excessive force continue to occur. A recent incident involving a homeless man shows that if officers violate your constitutional rights, you can have your charges dropped. In this particular case, the victim also received a considerable settlement from the Lee County Sheriff’s… Read More »
Understanding Florida’s New Drone Laws
Drones are playing an increasingly central role in our lives, and Florida’s legal system is struggling to catch up with the pace of this new technological innovation. While drones have proven useful on the battlefield and in many other industries, they are also quite popular among the civilian population. If you enjoy flying your… Read More »
How Much Prison Time Will I Get for COVID Relief Fraud in Fort Myers?
Federal and state authorities continue to prosecute cases of COVID relief fraud in Florida. The extent of this fraud is probably far greater than anyone could have imagined, and people face these allegations fairly regularly in Fort Myers. Whether you made an accounting mistake or you misinterpreted your eligibility for COVID relief, these allegations… Read More »
Acquittal vs. Charges Dropped in Fort Myers
An acquittal and a dismissal of charges both lead to the same general outcome for defendants in Fort Myers. In both situations, defendants can avoid criminal penalties and move on with their lives. That being said, these are two distinct concepts in the world of criminal law. What exactly is the difference between receiving… Read More »
Major Murder Trial Begins in Charlotte County
Six years after the death of a “hero teenager,” a murder trial is finally beginning in Charlotte County. This is one of the most notable murder trials of recent memory, and it involves an incident that many Port Charlotte residents are familiar with. What can you do if you face a murder trial in… Read More »
Can Police in Lee County Spy on Me With Drones?
Police in Lee County are continuing to adopt new technology. While police helicopters are nothing new, authorities are exploring new forms of drone-based aerial surveillance. But is this type of surveillance even legal under the Florida and United States Constitutions? This might be an important question, especially if you face criminal charges in Lee… Read More »
Lee County Residents Face Consequences for Deed Fraud
Deed fraud is on the rise in Lee County, and local law enforcement has warned residents of this issue. If you have been accused of deed fraud or any other type of fraud in Lee County, you should take your legal defense very seriously. Why are so many people being accused of this crime,… Read More »
Charges Dropped in Lee County Murder Case: “I Never Threatened Her”
Prosecutors in Lee County have dropped witness tampering charges against the family of a murder suspect. Initially, the family was accused of warning a co-defendant’s mother not to speak with law enforcement about the case. However, prosecutors reportedly found “new evidence” that showed this story was a complete fabrication. What can you do if… Read More »
Aggravated Battery Charges in Charlotte Dropped After Man Kills His Granddaughter
In May of 2025, prosecutors in Charlotte County dropped charges against a man who admitted to killing his granddaughter. Initially, the man was facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. After learning more about the situation, prosecutors felt it necessary to abandon the case entirely. Why did they make this decision? How… Read More »
Former Fort Myers Police Officer Gets Three Years for Excessive Force
Fort Myers residents depend on responsible law enforcement officials. If you believe that an officer has used excessive force against you or violated your constitutional rights in any way, a criminal defense attorney in Fort Myers and Naples may be able to help. As a recent case illustrates, police officers are not above the… Read More »