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.
A lot of people put off calling a lawyer because they do not know what the conversation will involve. Here is what a free consultation typically looks like, so the process feels less like a mystery before you pick up the phone. Do I need to have everything organized before a consultation? Nobody arrives at
What Happens at a Free Consultation? What to Expect Before You Call Read More »
Does the Law Offices of Andre A. Rouviere work on contingency? Yes, for personal injury and civil matters. There is no fee unless money is recovered, and no upfront cost to start a case. Criminal defense matters work differently, since contingency fees are not permitted in criminal cases under Florida Bar rules. What is a
How Do Contingency Fees Work for Personal Injury Cases in Florida? Read More »
What does the Officer Jason Raynor Act do? SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, took effect immediately upon Governor DeSantis signing it on June 16, 2026, rather than waiting for the usual July 1 or October 1 effective date most new Florida laws carry. It increases penalties for violent offenses against law enforcement officers
The Officer Jason Raynor Act (SB 156): What Changed in Florida Read More »
What does SB 212 restrict? Florida’s SB 212, now Chapter 2026-17, Laws of Florida, amends Fla. Stat. § 775.215 to prohibit a person convicted of specified sexual offenses involving a victim younger than 16 from residing within 1,000 feet of a public swimming pool, effective July 1, 2026. That distance already applied to schools, child
Florida’s New Sex Offender Pool Residency Law: What SB 212 Changed Read More »
Most criminal cases in this country end in a plea, not a trial. That does not mean a plea is automatically the right choice for your case. It means the decision deserves the same scrutiny people usually reserve for a trial they never end up having. What is a plea deal? A plea deal is
Should I Take a Plea Deal? What to Know Before You Decide Read More »
An arrest alone, even without a conviction, can appear on a standard background check. This surprises a lot of people, who assume that only convictions show up. What generally appears on a background check after an arrest? Arrest records are generally public in Florida, meaning an arrest, the charges filed, and the disposition of the
What Shows Up on a Background Check After an Arrest in Florida? Read More »
Domestic violence and immigration status intersect in more than one direction. The other side of that intersection, what happens to someone accused of a domestic violence offense, is a serious concern. But being the victim of domestic violence can open a path to legal status, not close one. What does VAWA provide for domestic violence
Does Being a Victim of Domestic Violence Help With Immigration Status? Read More »
I was under the influence. I did take the item. I was speeding, or driving recklessly, or I had too many drinks before getting behind the wheel. These are the things people are afraid to say to their own attorney because they assume admitting them ends any chance at a defense. It does not work
What Not to Tell an Attorney Read More »
Florida’s Boater Freedom Act, Senate Bill 1388, took effect July 1, 2025, and it changed the rules for when law enforcement can stop or board a boat. For anyone on Miami-Dade’s waterways facing a boating under the influence charge, or worried about one, the change matters far beyond the water itself. A stop that does
Florida’s Boater Freedom Act: What It Means If You’re Stopped on the Water Read More »
Isaiah’s Law took effect in Florida on July 1, 2026. It amends Fla. Stat. § 322.264 to add a new offense to the list that can trigger habitual traffic offender status: driving without a valid license. Anyone in Miami-Dade with more than one traffic matter on their record should understand this change before it becomes
Florida’s “Isaiah’s Law” Changes Who Qualifies as a Habitual Traffic Offender Read More »
