If you or a loved one is facing a short jail sentence in Sarasota or Manatee County, a judge may allow participation in the Offender Work Program (OWP) as an alternative to incarceration. The Offender Work Program allows eligible defendants to perform supervised community labor in place of serving time in the county jail. While… Read More
Posts Categorized In: Criminal Defense
Juvenile Court in Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida: A Parent’s Guide to the Juvenile Justice System
When a child is arrested or accused of a crime in Sarasota or Bradenton, Florida, the case is typically handled in juvenile court rather than adult criminal court. For parents and families, navigating the juvenile justice system can be stressful and confusing, especially when the future of a child is at stake.This guide explains how… Read More
DETER Program DUI Lawyer in Sarasota & Manatee County, Florida
If you were arrested for a first-time DUI in Sarasota County or Manatee County, you may qualify for Florida’s DETER Program, a DUI diversion program that can allow your charge to be reduced to Reckless Driving instead of a DUI conviction. WHAT IS THE DETER PROGRAM? The Driver Enhanced Treatment Education Rehabilitation (DETER) Program is… Read More
Results & Client Outcomes
Real Advocacy. Real Solutions. Real Results. In criminal defense, a successful result can take many forms. Some cases demand a courtroom battle. Others require early intervention, strong negotiation, or exposing weaknesses in the State’s evidence before charges ever reach a jury. As a seasoned criminal defense trial lawyer, I pursue the best possible outcome in… Read More
Staying Out of Trouble in College: Practical Advice for Students and Their Parents
Starting college is an exciting milestone – new friends, new independence, and new responsibilities. But with that freedom comes the risk of making mistakes that can lead to serious consequences. This post is about awareness and preparation to help students avoid common pitfalls. 1. Talk Early About Alcohol and Parties Know the local laws on… Read More
Rules Of Decorum In The Virtual World
You have an 8:30 a.m. court date but instead of being live in court it’s via Zoom. The question is do you have to dress as though you were in court? Do you need to worry about the background, noise level and potential distractions? Here are the top eight etiquette rules for you to follow:… Read More
Traffic Stop Advice by Attorney Mark Zimmerman
What to Do if You’re Pulled Over by Police in Florida: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself Getting pulled over by law enforcement can make anyone nervous — even if you haven’t done anything wrong. Knowing what to do (and what not to do) during a traffic stop can make the situation safer, calmer,… Read More
Florida’s Accident Report Privilege
In Florida there are two types of privileges; those that are long standing and set out in the Florida Evidence Code and those that are simply statutory privileges, i.e. created by statute. Accident Report Privilege is the latter and falls under Fla. Stat. 316.066(7). The purpose behind statutory privileges are similar to the ones delineated… Read More
A few words about client contact
I like to read articles in legal journals about trends in law firm practice. A fashionable topic is the way in which lawyers have contact with clients. Typically this issue is cast in the light of new forms of technology. You hear about how certain clients (typically younger ones) are not interested in the old… Read More
Selling Alcohol to Minors in Sarasota
Fifteen convenience store clerks were cited for selling alcohol to minors in a crackdown by the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office. All of the citations took place from June 30 to July 1, 2014. The charges all stemmed from undercover activities targeting gas stations in Sarasota, Nokomis and Osprey. These are criminal citations punishable by jail… Read More
