Pros of Pleading Not Guilty

It is generally a good idea to plead not guilty at arraignment. This is because pleading not guilty allows you to go through the discovery process, during which you and your lawyer can request evidence (i.e. Discovery) from the Government/State and prepare your defense. It also allows you to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution or to take your case to trial. By pleading NOT GUILTY: You maintain your innocence. You posture yourself for exoneration if you have a defense to the charges, such as an alibi, self-defense, conflicting eyewitness testimony, or other evidence that supports your innocence. You...

Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws

Understanding the consequences of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances can cost you your freedom.  Don’t ever go to court without the right representation.  At the Law Office of Russell B. McCormick, experience being professional, and aggressive to fight for your rights means everything.  Let us help you know… Contact us online for your “ Free Consultation” or call 904-353-0436 know to get started. * Disclaimer: This summary was prepared by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and should be used as a reference only. Interested parties should refer to the full...

Choosing the right DUI Attorney in Jacksonville Florida

The most important decision you can make is choosing the right attorney to defend your Florida DUI. This is truly the most critical decision you will make. For most people, this is the first time they will ever have had to hire a criminal defense attorney, so naturally, there will be some apprehension. As you wade through the multitude of available options, it can become overwhelming. It is important that you direct your focus to three key areas of experience when choosing your attorney. First, your attorney’s knowledge and skill in the field of DUI defense. When interviewing attorneys, it’s...

I failed to appear in court, now what?

You got a routine traffic ticket. Marked on your calendar the date it has to be paid and went on about your business. Even though you have every intention of taking care of it on time, suddenly the due date has come and gone. Worse yet, the ticket gets misplaced and you don’t know what to do. You are otherwise obliviously unaware of the process currently underway to suspend your license and result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest! All the while, the entire incident has completely slipped your mind. That is, until you receive a letter...

What is Criminal Law?

What is Criminal Law? The primary purpose of criminal laws are to maintain order and to protect individuals and property. Designed to regulate social conduct and prevent threats, harm, and any other form of danger to the property, health or safety of the people. Criminal laws are enforced by police, prosecutors, and the judicial process. Do all crimes fall under the category of criminal law? Yes. Criminal law violations are the failure to abide by criminal laws. However, not every law violation is criminal. For instance, most traffic tickets are violations of non-criminal statutes. Criminal laws are typically contained within...