Please click to read about Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Paul C. Lawrence and his fraudulent traffic tickets.

In this case, it appears that Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Paul C. Lawrence will face the punishment of 364 days in the county jail for his actions. Lawrence was originally charged by the Office of the State Attorney with multiple felony counts. However, as part of the plea agreement, all the felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors.

It appears to me that this story reveals two things for sure. First, it could not be clearer that South Florida law enforcement does in fact have a "quota" system. South Florida Law Enforcement has long denied that any form of quota system is used. However, there appears to be no other incentive for the actions of Trooper Lawrence other than allowing himself to maintain his quota by falsifying traffic tickets.

After writing this blog I have been contacted by several individuals who were placed under arrest for driving on a suspended license. After investigation it appears as though these individuals’ licenses were suspended after failing to respond to citations that may have been fraudulently created by Trooper Lawrence. Their stories were horrible. Innocent people placed under arrest in front of their family and children for a crime fabricated by this Trooper.

If you believe you have been wrongfully arrested in Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach county due to Trooper Paul C. Lawrence and would like to speak with an experienced attorney please call (954) 761-4011. Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara practices in many areas of criminal defense and invites you to call if you have any questions. Arrested? Need a Lawyer? Call (954) 761-4011.

(1) A person is guilty of the offense of boating under the influence and is subject to punishment as provided in subsection (2) if the person is operating a vessel within this state and:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the extent that the person's normal faculties are impaired;

(b) The person has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or

(c) The person has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.

In Florida in order to be found guilty of Boating under the Influence in Florida, the State must prove essential elements. First the State of Florida must prove that the person arrested for Boating under the Influence was in actual physical control of the vessel. In other words the State of Florida must prove that the person was actually driving the vessel. When defending an arrest for Boating under the Influence it is extremely important to have a clear understanding of layout of a Defendant's vessel. Remember, all cars have driver's seats. Not all boats do.

The State of Florida must prove that an individual is under the influence of alcohol to the point that their normal faculties are impaired. In other words the State of Florida must show that an individual's normal faculties, i.e., ability to walk, talk, hear, see, respond in an emergency, is impaired. This may be accomplished by observations by a law enforcement officer of a criminal defendant. Perhaps the officer observed a lack of balance and red bloodshot watery eyes. This is the type of testimony that the State of Florida will attempt to use in order to convict a criminal defendant of boating under the influence.

Remember to use common sense when defending your boating under the influence case in Broward, Dade, or Palm Beach! Most boating under the influence officers will admit that when you are on a boat for an extended period of time you may experience a lack of coordination or balance. This is commonly referred to as "sea legs." Additionally, remember that people do oftentimes develop red eyes simply by being on a boat, in the wind, with the salt air!

If you have been arrested for Boating Under the Influence or Driving Under the Influence in Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County and would like to speak with an experienced BUI attorney please call (954) 761-4011. Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara practices in many areas of criminal defense and invites you to call if you have any questions. Arrested? Need a Lawyer? Call (954) 761-4011.

Additionally, the Broward Sheriff's Office will be at the corner of the 1000 block of East Oakland Park Boulevard from 10 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday.

784.045 Aggravated battery.--

(1)(a) A person commits aggravated battery who, in committing battery:

1. Intentionally or knowingly causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement; or

2. Uses a deadly weapon.

(b) A person commits aggravated battery if the person who was the victim of the battery was pregnant at the time of the offense and the offender knew or should have known that the victim was pregnant.

(2) Whoever commits aggravated battery shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

I cannot defend the indefensible," Lamberti said Friday. "That's just not appropriate. We're not in the business of giving people we arrest for felonies a ride home."

As a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Attorney, I often deal with the Broward County Jail. It appears to me that the level of apathy running through the Broward County Jail is immeasurable. For instance, it oftentimes takes the Broward County Jail over 8-12 hours to release inmates after they have posted bond. Even more incredible is the fact that even when a Broward County Judge orders the jail to release an inmate immediately it still takes 8-12 hours before release.

Over the years I have heard many stories from my clients about the Broward County Jail; specifically in regards to the way inmates are treated. Yet, it appears as though if you happen to be an NFL star not only do you get special treatment at the jail, they will even give you a ride home. I am hopeful that an investigation into this matter will result in changes at the Broward County Jail, however I won't hold my breath. Let's see how this investigation unfolds.

Richard Ansara is a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Attorney. He is the head attorney of the Ansara Law Firm located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Ansara Law Firm handles Felony and Misdemeanor cases in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach County. If you have any questions and would like to speak with Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara about your case please call (954) 761-4011.

Police chief Frank Adderley stated that “This is not representative of law enforcement officers, particularly Fort Lauderdale police. When we find indications of crimes being committed, we investigate.” I agree with the Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley that crimes such as this arrest may not necessarily be "representative of law enforcement officers." However, I do believe that those who head police agencies such as the Fort Lauderdale Police Department are too often quick to dismiss alleged criminal misconduct committed by those sworn to protect and serve. For example, remember Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Paul C. Lawrence? This is the Florida Highway Patrol Officer arrested for falsifying hundreds of traffic citations? It was only after dozens of complaints about the Florida Highway Patrol Officer before an investigation actually initiated.

In this case, Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Justin Krashefski purchased drugs while claiming to be involved in a "police investigation." He demanded that a man meet him where he purchased the drugs. That man happened to be an undercover police informant. Needless to say, the informant brought this to the attention of the authorities. Police set up a sting operation where an undercover informant met Officer Krashefski. At this meeting the Officer purchased five Oxycodone pills from the undercover informant.

In this case, Officer Krashefski was clearly motivated by addiction more so than the common corruptor of law enforcement; greed. Oxycodone, is a powerful and under-recognized narcotic that has arrived as a plague to our nation. Regardless, as a criminal defense attorney here in Fort Lauderdale dealing with drug crimes, my expectation is simple. All cases involving Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Justin Krashefski must be reviewed by the Office of the State Attorney of Broward County and dismissed where warranted.

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara practices criminal defense throughout South Florida. The Ansara Law Firm principal office is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Although LeVin posted his $21,000.00 bond set for the Florida charges, Judge Hurley ruled that Florida law dictates that LeVin should be held in Florida until the resolution of his Broward County case. Only the governor can intervene.

Fort Lauderdale Florida Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara practices criminal defense throughout South Florida. The Ansara Law Firm principal office is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

On January 23, 2010, McCurrie's patrol car struck a Honda Civic and killed a passenger, Northeast High School freshman Cara Dyan Catlin, at North Dixie Highway and Northeast 56th Street in Oakland Park. According to an affidavit, Deputy McCurrie was responding to a call for back up from another deputy at a traffic stop.

Traffic homicide detectives later calculated that at the time of the crash, McCurrie was driving 89 mph, almost 50 mph over the posted speed limit.

It has been some sort of unwritten rule that law enforcement officers are allowed to drive in any manner they wish. After all, who is going to write BSO a traffic ticket? The sad truth is that there are consequences for all actions, especially reckless homicidal driving. Let's all be extremely clear with one thing. If that had been you or I, we would both be sitting in the Broward County Jail on vehicular homicide charges.

Fort Lauderdale Florida Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara practices criminal defense throughout South Florida. The Ansara Law Firm principal office is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Cameron Douglas, 31, pleaded with U.S. District Judge Richard Berman for a break in his sentence. Both his father, Michael Douglas, as well as his mother, Diandra Luker, appeared at his sentencing. Those who were present stated that his mother, Luker, broke down in tears. His father, Michael Douglas, fought back tears but was obviously overwhelmed with emotion.

Douglas was arrested at a Manhattan nightclub in July of 2009. At his sentencing he begged with the Judge for a lighter and more reasonable sentence. He stated, "I believe, your honor, things will be different this time," he added. If given a second chance, he said, "I will never squander that opportunity."

Although the Judge received numerous letters from many celebrities begging for leniency for Douglas, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman appeared determined to issue the 5 year sentence.

The Judge appeared unmoved by many of the celebrity letters. In fact, he stated that many of the letters implied that Douglas should not be made an example of just because he is the son of famed actor Michael Douglas. The Judge went on to state that, "None acknowledged appropriately the numerous impacts to victims of society for dealing drugs."

The Trooper now faces 22 counts of official misconduct, a third degree felony. So far, over 211 traffic citations written by Lawrence have been dismissed. It appears as though the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper used information from previous traffic stops in order to manufacture the false citations. According to the Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson, "there is no incentive for him to do that because Florida Highway Patrol does not use a quota system."

The reality is that most jurors understand that those who serve in law enforcement are human beings equal in the flaws inherent in human nature. The actions of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Paul C. Lawrence demonstrate that law enforcement officials are clearly capable of lying and falsifying police reports. Residents of Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach County should consider themselves lucky that this trooper decided only to falsify traffic tickets. The damage that South Florida Law Enforcement Officers can inflict on the residents of South Florida is tremendous. Abusing such power is dangerous not only to the people that these officers swore to protect but to the system as a whole.

I will track this story in order to determine how the Office of the State Attorney of Miami Dade County handles this case. Will we see actual justice?

Broward County Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara practices criminal defense throughout South Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach. The Ansara Law Firm principal office is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

These charges stem from an incident which occurred back in February of 2009. On February 8, 2009, Chris Brown was arrested for allegedly beating, choking, and biting Rihanna as he tried to push her out of a car.

Domestic Violence in Florida is defined by Florida Statute 741.28 as follows:

"Domestic violence" means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.

In Florida, if a person is found guilty of Domestic Violence the Court may sentence as follows:

If a person is adjudicated guilty of a crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, and the person has intentionally caused bodily harm to another person, the court shall order the person to serve a minimum of 5 days in the county jail as part of the sentence imposed, unless the court sentences the person to a nonsuspended period of incarceration in a state correctional facility. This section does not preclude the court from sentencing the person to probation, community control, or an additional period of incarceration.

It is alleged that Officer Joel Francisco accidently rear ended a vehicle. The Officer then placed the individual under arrest for drunken driving related charges. A video depicts the Officers apparently attempting to create a story in which blame for the accident could be placed on the other driver. Apparently, the Officers were unaware that the entire incident was being recorded. The accident report written by Officer Pressly states that the driver of the other vehicle was distracted when a cat sitting on her lap caused her to loose control striking the officers vehicle. The Broward County Office of the State Attorney has agreed to drop the driving under the influence charges stemming from this incident.

ANSARA RESPONDS
It appears that the Broward County Office of the State Attorney has taken the initiative to drop all charges stemming from the incident involving these Hollywood Police Officers in this particular case. However, what is the Broward County Office of the State Attorney doing to investigate other arrests by these officers? It appears to me that the Broward County Office of the State Attorney has a duty to further investigate pending and prior arrests involving these officers. The Hollywood Police Department is no stranger to scandal. Recently the Department was shaken when the FBI arrested fellow Hollywood Police Officers. The FBI posed as an underground criminal ring and used the Hollywood Police Officers as protection during drug transports.

Retired FBI agent Jack Garcia was one of the undercover operatives and gave his account of the investigation in a book published last year. In an interview last October, he said of his dealings with the Hollywood Police Department: "What was amazing to me is that it was so easy to get cops to look the other way, to guard trucks for us, no questions asked. I'd never seen anything like it."

Arrests for South Florida UBS white collar crimes have already occurred and it seems likely that other arrest are sure to follow.

Richard Ansara is a Fort Lauderdale Federal Criminal Attorney. He is the head attorney of the Ansara Law Firm located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Ansara Law Firm handles Felony and Misdemeanor cases in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach County. If you have any questions and would like to speak with Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara about your case please call (954) 761-4011.