Legal Education Database
Legal Education Database
A searchable library of Florida criminal-law topics: DUI, misdemeanor, felony, arrest, bail, court terminology, expungement, probation, and rights education.
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DUI How DUI cases are charged, common terminology (BAC, IID, implied consent), and typical procedural stages.
DUIDUI in Florida — Educational Overview
How DUI cases are charged, common terminology (BAC, IID, implied consent), and typical procedural stages.
Florida charges DUI when a person operates or is in actual physical control of a vehicle with normal faculties impaired or with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Refusing a lawful breath/blood/urine test triggers a separate administrative license suspension under implied-consent law. Penalties escalate with prior DUIs, BAC ≥ 0.15%, minor in the vehicle, or accidents involving injury.
Key terminology: BAC Implied consent IID Administrative suspensionPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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MISD Differences between first/second-degree misdemeanors, court venue, common dispositions, and probation basics.
MISDMisdemeanor Charges Explained
Differences between first/second-degree misdemeanors, court venue, common dispositions, and probation basics.
First-degree misdemeanors carry up to 1 year in county jail and up to a $1,000 fine; second-degree misdemeanors carry up to 60 days and up to a $500 fine. Misdemeanors are heard in County Court. Common dispositions include diversion, probation with conditions, and pleas with or without adjudication.
Key terminology: County Court Probation Withhold First-degree misdemeanorPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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FELONY Capital, life, first, second, and third-degree felonies — and how Florida sentencing scoresheets work at a high level.
FELONYFelony Education — Classes & Sentencing Ranges
Capital, life, first, second, and third-degree felonies — and how Florida sentencing scoresheets work at a high level.
Florida felonies range from third-degree (up to 5 years) to capital (death or life). Sentencing uses the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet — prior record, victim injury, and offense level all add points. Enhancements such as Habitual Felony Offender or Prison Releasee Reoffender can dramatically increase mandatory time.
Key terminology: Sentencing scoresheet Habitual offender PRRPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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ARREST Detention vs arrest, Miranda warnings, custodial interrogation, and what booking typically involves.
ARRESTArrest Procedures — From Stop to Booking
Detention vs arrest, Miranda warnings, custodial interrogation, and what booking typically involves.
An investigatory detention requires reasonable suspicion; an arrest requires probable cause. Miranda warnings are only triggered before custodial interrogation. After arrest, booking includes fingerprints, photographs, and intake — all jail calls and visits are typically recorded.
Key terminology: Probable cause Miranda Custodial interrogationPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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BAIL Cash bond, surety bond, ROR, pretrial supervision, and how conditions get set at first appearance.
BAILBail Information — How Release Works
Cash bond, surety bond, ROR, pretrial supervision, and how conditions get set at first appearance.
Bond options include cash, surety (paid through a bondsman, typically 10% premium), ROR, and pretrial supervision. A first-appearance judge weighs danger to the community, flight risk, and ties to the area. Violating release conditions can mean immediate re-arrest and bond forfeiture.
Key terminology: ROR Bond conditions Pretrial servicesPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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COURT A growing glossary of common terms you will hear in a Florida criminal courtroom, in plain English.
COURTCourt Terminology — The Glossary
A growing glossary of common terms you will hear in a Florida criminal courtroom, in plain English.
Nolle prosequi: the State drops the charge. Adjudication: a formal finding of guilt. Withhold of adjudication: no formal finding, often preserving sealing eligibility. Continuance: rescheduling. Pro se: representing oneself. Voir dire: jury selection.
Key terminology: Nolle prosse Adjudication ContinuancePrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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EXPUNGE Educational overview of Florida sealing and expungement, who tends to qualify, and how the process typically moves.
EXPUNGEExpungement & Sealing — Eligibility Basics
Educational overview of Florida sealing and expungement, who tends to qualify, and how the process typically moves.
Florida allows sealing or expungement in eligible cases — typically when there was no adjudication of guilt and no prior sealing/expungement. The process generally begins with an FDLE Certificate of Eligibility, then a petition filed in the court of disposition. Statutory exclusions apply for certain offenses.
Key terminology: Sealing Expungement FDLE certificatePrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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PROBATION Common probation conditions, modifications, terminations, and what a violation hearing looks like.
PROBATIONProbation Guidance — What to Expect
Common probation conditions, modifications, terminations, and what a violation hearing looks like.
Conditions often include reporting to a probation officer, fees, community service, treatment, and abstention from drugs/alcohol. A violation of probation (VOP) is decided on a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard and can result in imposition of the original suspended sentence.
Key terminology: VOP Modification Early terminationPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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LICENSE When license is affected, hardship licenses, and the difference between administrative and court actions.
LICENSELicense Concerns — Driving Privileges
When license is affected, hardship licenses, and the difference between administrative and court actions.
DUI cases often involve a fast administrative-license suspension separate from the criminal case. A formal review hearing must usually be requested within 10 days. Hardship licenses, business-purpose licenses, and HTO designations follow specific statutory rules.
Key terminology: Hardship license HTO ReinstatementPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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RIGHTS Educational overview of constitutional protections that come up most in criminal-law contexts.
RIGHTSRights Education — A Plain-Language Reference
Educational overview of constitutional protections that come up most in criminal-law contexts.
Fourth Amendment: protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Fifth Amendment: right to remain silent, protection against self-incrimination. Sixth Amendment: right to counsel, jury trial, and to confront witnesses. These are educational overviews — application depends on specific facts.
Key terminology: Fourth Amendment Fifth Amendment Sixth AmendmentPrepare attorney questions →Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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