Posted on August 22, 2025 in Criminal Defense

When a domestic incident leads to an arrest, Florida courts often add a no-contact condition to your release. As long as the order is in place, you must avoid the party it is meant to protect. If the alleged victim wants to restore communication, often for family, childcare, or counseling reasons, you have legal options, but the judge alone can change the order. Understanding the process, the risks of a violation, and the role a Miami, FL domestic violence defense attorney plays can help you move forward safely and lawfully.

Getting Your No-Contact Order Removed When the Victim Wants It

No-contact conditions are common terms of pretrial release under Florida Statutes § 903.047. They usually ban in-person contact, calls, texts, social media messages, third-party relays, and approaching the victim’s home, school, or work. Even if the alleged victim is willing to communicate, any changes to this order must first be approved by the court.

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 Posted on August 12, 2025 in DUI

When a police officer pulls someone over on suspicion of drunk driving in Florida, they may ask the driver to take field sobriety tests. These tests are used to check coordination and balance, which can be affected by alcohol or drugs. However, not all drivers feel comfortable taking them.

Refusing field sobriety testing does not mean you will not be arrested, but you still have the chance to fight any charges against you. If you are facing a DUI charge after refusing a field sobriety test, a Broward County, FL DUI defense attorney can help you understand your rights and challenge the allegations.

Can You Refuse Field Sobriety Tests in Florida?

You can legally refuse to take a field sobriety test in Florida. These tests are voluntary and not required by law. An officer may ask you to perform tasks such as walking in a straight line, standing on one leg, or following an object with your eyes. You have the right to say no, and there are no direct penalties like license suspension for refusing a field sobriety test alone.

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 Posted on July 24, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A murder charge is one of the most serious criminal charges a person can face. However, Florida law recognizes that not every killing is a crime. In some cases, you may be justified in using deadly force to protect yourself or others. Self-defense is an affirmative defense, meaning that you essentially admit to the act of killing but argue that you were justified in doing it. To use this type of defense to challenge a charge as serious as murder, you need to understand how Florida’s self-defense laws work and talk to an experienced Miami, FL murder defense lawyer.

What Does Florida Law Say About Self-Defense?

Florida Statutes § 776.012(2) allows a person to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others. This law applies whether the threat comes from a stranger, a family member, or anyone else.

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 Posted on July 09, 2025 in Sex Crimes

If you have been charged with statutory rape, you need to speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale, FL statutory rape defense lawyer immediately. Consent is not a viable defense, and you could face severe penalties, including up to life in prison, depending on the circumstances of the case. Your attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and help you build a strong defense.

What Does Statutory Rape Mean Under Florida Law?

Florida Statutes § 794.05 refers to statutory rape as "unlawful sexual activity with certain minors." It involves engaging in sexual activity with someone who is younger than 18, the legal age of consent. According to this law, sexual activity with a minor under 16 is unlawful regardless of the offender’s age. With a minor who is 16 or 17, it is unlawful if the offender is 24 years of age or older.

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 Posted on June 30, 2025 in Gun & Weapons Crimes

Illegally selling, transferring, or having in your possession guns or other weapons could be considered weapons trafficking in Florida and is serious business. Law enforcement agencies at the state and federal levels aggressively prosecute gun trafficking offenses, and convictions often carry long prison terms and permanent criminal records.

If you have been arrested, your first step should be to contact an experienced Miami, FL weapons trafficking defense attorney who understands Florida’s weapons laws and federal firearm regulations – and who is not afraid to fight aggressively for your freedom.

Understanding Your Rights if Arrested for Weapons Trafficking in Florida

Prosecutors charge people with gun crimes when someone is accused of illegally selling, delivering, or transporting firearms. This includes unlicensed gun sales, moving guns across state lines without authorization, and the movement of large quantities of firearms. Arrests often happen after undercover operations, informant tips, and federal investigations.

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 Posted on June 16, 2025 in Violent Crimes

Domestic violence in Florida is legally defined as an assault, battery, sexual assault, stalking, kidnapping, or any other criminal offense that results in the injury or death of a family or household member by another family or household member. A dating relationship that has happened within the last six months in also this category under Florida statute. 

Court-ordered protection may be sought by those who claim they are victims of domestic violence. This protection comes in the form of a protective injunction, sometimes known as a restraining order. While the two terms may be used interchangeably, legally, Florida has only protective injunctions. If you have had a protective injunction taken out against you, whether warranted or not, speaking to an experienced Fort Lauderdale, FL criminal defense lawyer can be extremely beneficial.

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 Posted on May 28, 2025 in DUI

Getting arrested for a DUI in Florida while you are far from home is scary in the moment and complicated in the aftermath. For out-of-state drivers, it often means you will face consequences in Florida and your home state. 

Your best chance at fighting the charges against you is to hire an experienced Miami DUI defense attorney. These cases require a thorough understanding of Florida DUI laws and how they apply to non-residents of the state. When the stakes are high and the repercussions of a conviction are long-term, you need aggressive representation.

What Are the Penalties for Non-Residents Arrested for DUI in Florida?

Florida is part of the Interstate Driver’s Licence Compact (IDLC), which allows states to share information regarding DUI convictions and penalties, specifically license suspensions. Therefore, when a non-resident is arrested for a DUI in Florida, the potential for facing penalties in two states is high. While you may hold a license from another state, Florida law will govern your case, and your home state could take legal action against you afterward.

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 Posted on May 14, 2025 in Drug Crimes

Facing a drug trafficking charge in Florida can be intimidating. With your attorney, you have to challenge the evidence presented against you, and if any of that evidence was obtained during an unlawful search and seizure, your ability to fight the charge is considerably better. An experienced Broward County, FL drug trafficking attorney will investigate the details of your arrest and the charges against you to help you build a strong strategy and protect your constitutional rights.

What Does Illegal Search and Seizure Mean?

An illegal search and seizure occurs when the police conduct a search or collect evidence without adhering to legal protocol. The Fourth Amendment protects you from unlawful searches and seizures, requiring police to have probable cause and, in most cases, a warrant to search your person or your property.

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 Posted on April 29, 2025 in Gun & Weapons Crimes

Under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Americans have the right to bear arms. However, that right can be lost under both federal and state laws — particularly for people convicted of certain crimes. If you have been convicted of a felony or a gun-related offense in Florida, you are likely prohibited from owning, possessing, or purchasing a firearm. The same is true if you were convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence.

Fortunately, this loss of rights is not always permanent. In some cases, a person may be able to regain their firearm rights through a specific clemency process administered by the State of Florida. While the path is strict and highly regulated, it is possible to succeed — especially with legal guidance from an experienced and tenacious Miami, FL gun rights restoration lawyer. If you are located in Miami-Dade County and want to understand your options, The Hoffman Firm can walk you through the steps and help you prepare a strong application.

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 Posted on April 14, 2025 in Gun & Weapons Crimes

A felon in possession of a firearm charge can have severe, life-changing consequences. Understanding your rights is the first line of defense, and a Broward County, FL felon in possession of a firearm attorney will walk you through the legal process and the possible defenses as they apply to your case. You do not have to face these charges alone.

What Are Common Defenses for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon?

Pretrial defenses challenge how the evidence used to charge you was collected and whether or not it is sufficient for a conviction. Trial defenses can either challenge the sufficiency of the evidence or raise an affirmative defense. Examples of these defenses include:

• Illegal search and seizure: You may be able to argue that the law enforcement officer who found the firearm did so through an unlawful search, violating your Fourth Amendment rights.

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