Practical guides on Florida criminal defense, personal injury, and civil litigation from the Law Offices of Andre A. Rouviere. Written for people facing a legal situation right now, not abstract overviews.
As of July 1, 2026, Florida’s Missy’s Law requires a court to immediately remand a person to custody, with no possibility of bond, the moment they plead guilty, plead no contest, or are found guilty of a dangerous crime. The requirement applies while they wait for sentencing, even if they plan to appeal. What is […]
Missy’s Law: What Florida’s New No-Bond-Pending-Sentencing Rule Means Read More »
Florida law does not use “restraining order” as a formal legal category. What Florida provides is called an injunction for protection, and knowing the correct term matters if you are researching your own situation. Why does everyone say “restraining order” then? “Restraining order” is common in other states and in popular culture, so people search
What’s the Difference Between an Injunction and a Restraining Order in Florida? Read More »
Sometimes. The Fourth Amendment generally requires a warrant, but courts have carved out several exceptions specific to vehicles, and they are broader than most people expect. Do I have to consent if an officer asks to search my car? No. Consent is voluntary, and declining is not evidence of wrongdoing. A simple, polite statement is
Can the Police Search My Car Without a Warrant in Florida? Read More »
No. An officer can arrest you without ever reciting your Miranda rights, and the arrest is still valid. This is one of the most common misunderstandings in criminal law, and it costs people more than they realize. Does skipping the Miranda warning make an arrest illegal? No. Miranda has nothing to do with whether an
Can I Be Arrested Without Being Read My Rights? Read More »
Twelve percent. That’s roughly how often self-represented defendants got a favorable outcome in federal district court, based on a widely cited review of federal data from 1998 to 2017. Self-represented plaintiffs did worse, at around three percent. Florida law still gives you the right to represent yourself. The right was never in question. The odds
Can I Represent Myself in Court? Read More »
More people are asking AI chatbots legal questions before they ever call an attorney. A federal court ruling from early 2026 is a warning about why that carries real risk, especially for anyone facing criminal charges. What happened in United States v. Heppner In February 2026, a federal judge in the Southern District of New
Can I Use AI Instead of a Lawyer? Read More »
For non-citizens, a domestic violence charge carries consequences well beyond the criminal case itself. This is one of the most serious intersections in criminal law, and it deserves direct, careful attention rather than assumption. Why domestic violence charges are treated differently in immigration law Certain categories of criminal conduct, including domestic violence offenses, can trigger
Will a Domestic Violence Charge Affect My Immigration Status? Read More »
Most people do not think they need a lawyer until something forces the question. A detective calls. A citation shows up. A relative gets served with a lawsuit. By the time the question feels urgent, some of the best options are already gone. Here are six situations where waiting costs people more than they realize.
Do I Need a Lawyer? Six Situations Where Waiting Costs You Options Read More »
Most people hire the first lawyer they talk to. That is not necessarily a mistake, but it means the first conversation is doing a lot of work. Here is what to actually ask, and why the answer matters. “Will you personally handle my case, or does it get passed to someone else?” Ask directly, before
What to Ask Before You Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Miami-Dade Read More »
Most speeding tickets in Florida are civil infractions that you resolve with a fine, without ever setting foot in a courtroom. Since July 1, 2025, that stopped being true above a certain speed. Florida Statute 316.1922 created a criminal charge for extreme speeding, and it carries a mandatory court date. What the Super Speeder Law
Florida’s Super Speeder Law: When a Speeding Ticket Becomes a Criminal Charge Read More »
