Past, Present, or Future Criminal Activity Necessary for a Constitutional Stop or Search When Acting on a Tip

Bryan v. State of Florida, 4D10-632 June 15, 2011 The Fourth District Court of Appeal wrote to address a trial court’s order denying a motion to suppress evidence obtained during a warrantless search. Acting on an anonymous tip, police were dispatched to investigate a call about three black males in front of a home by a...

Police Exceeded Scope of Consensual Search of Juvenile Defendant

A.L.T. v. State of Florida, 4D10 – 2278 June 8, 2011 The Fourth District wrote to address whether a police search exceeded the scope of the suspect’s consent. A.L.T., a child, was stopped by Officer Mandell of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. He asked A.L.T. specifically if he could “search him for weapons or drugs.” A.L.T....

Driving in Circles Around Child Support and Contempt Issues?

Many people understand the reality and importance of complying with a court’s order directing that child support payments be made on behalf of their children. What some may not realize is the failure to comply with said obligation could potentially result in a number of sanctions, including garnishment of wages, suspension of a driver’s...