What to Do After Your Child Has Been Arrested: As a parent it may be difficult to be notified that your child has been arrested. What happens when your child is sitting in a jail cell? It has been found that many parents are receiving these calls at higher rates in Duval County than in any other coun ty in Florida. In 2016, 469 juveniles were arrested in just Duval County for minor offenses. Minor
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Each November, communities across the nation celebrate National Adoption Month. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness about adoption-related issues. For Duval County, National Adoption Month unofficially kicked off on October 31st. This past Halloween, 18 kids officially got new families during a Jacksonville adoption ceremony at the Duval County courthouse. We can just imagine the festivities and delight experienced by both the children and their new parents this holiday season. Adoption can be a joyous
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It’s Saturday night, you’re 20 years old and out partying with your college friends. Someone suggests going to that new nightclub in Jacksonville Beach. No problem, you think. You recently bought a fake id saying you’re over 21 that will make it easy to buy a couple drinks. However, the bouncer at the club spots the fake, keeps ID and prevents you from entering the bar. While you’re hanging out in the parking lot, a
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According to the Pew Research Center, seven-in-ten Americans use social media. The number of marriages heading to divorce ranges between 40 to 50 percent based on various sources. If you’re a Jacksonville couple heading toward divorce and have social media accounts, let’s combine the above topics into a shocking reality check: 81 percent of attorneys encountered or used posts from social media sites in divorce cases according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. While
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As a Jacksonville police officer takes you into custody, he informs you that: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.” As you’re put into the back of the police car, it’s imperative you understand and heed those words. Especially the first
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Throughout the year, Jacksonville soccer fields team with thousands of kids and their cheering parents. Soccer parenting is a traditional way of life for many households. In April, a Facebook post and photo celebrating a 4-year old Georgia girl and her four supportive soccer parents went viral. As of mid-July, over 87,000 Facebook members shared that post and over 3.4K left comments. The photo and the story behind it have been featured in media across
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A Jacksonville police officer just pulled you over. Why? Well, maybe you have a broken brake light, tag light, or another minor traffic infraction. You hand over your license, registration and insurance card as requested. The officer runs your license, then asks “did you know your license is suspended?” Your answer could mean the difference between a civil traffic infraction (moving violation)—essentially a traffic ticket with some teeth—or a criminal traffic charge (misdemeanor or felony
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Getting pulled over by police during a traffic stop can be nerve wracking, especially if you have a firearm in the vehicle. If you’re a law-abiding gun owner—meaning you hold a concealed weapon license (CWL) or you are properly storing the firearm in your vehicle without a concealed permit—you need to familiarize yourself with the law and your constitutional rights. After all, we’ve all probably seen various news media reports on police interactions with gun
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Let’s say you’re late for work; you hop on I95 and start speeding north toward Downtown Jacksonville. Hey, that car in front is moving way too slow for you. You tailgate for a moment looking for that brief opening in the lane on your left. There’s the opening. You whip your car over, punch the gas passing the car on your right then zip over in front of it. Weaving in and out, you’re now
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Given the driving conditions in Northeast Florida, you could say auto accidents are just waiting to happen. If you’re unfortunate to be involved in a car accident, here’s my very important legal advice: Don’t leave. Staying at the scene of an accident can help you avoid significant hit and run penalties that include fines, revoked licenses and jail time. If you’ve left the scene of an accident, stop reading and please call my office immediately
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