Longwell & Gentle, P.A.

Casey Anthony Fires Lawyer Jose Baez?

The New York Post is reporting that Casey is angry at Jose Baez for not finalizing her first television interview.  As a result, there is speculation that Casey Anthony will drop Jose Baez as her lead attorney.  It looks like lawyer Cheney Mason may take over as her representative to the media.

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[Video] Is it Casey Anthony?

After serveral months of hearing mostly nothing about Casey Anthony, she pops up on the internet with a video post on caseyanthonyisinnocent.com. The question now is, is it really Casey Anthony?  Watch the video and let us know what you think on our facebook page!

Video provided via Youtube.

Original Article.

No more texting and driving in Florida?

SB 416 is a good idea.  However, the statutes have several issues that will eventually need to be addressed.  One is the fact that the driver will be assessed 6 points upon a conviction.  That is 50% of the points needed for a 1 year driver license suspension.  Too severe?  Maybe.  Another issue is the wording of the statute with regard to a police officer’s ability to stop a driver who is unlawfully using an electronic device.  There is potential for possible pretextual stops.

Take a look at SB 416 for yourself.

View the proposed Senate Bill 416.

Halloween: Are Nunchucks Legal?

Halloween is a fun holiday for kids and grow ups alike. However, some costumes could potentially get you in trouble. For example, for you ninjas out there, if you tote real nunchucks you may be breaking the law depending upon in which state you live.

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Is Lindsay Lohan in Violation of Probation?

The Wall Street Journal suspects that a city prosecutor will ask a judge to find Lindsay Lohan in violation of her probation. If this happens it is likely she will spend time in jail. However, other sources report the Probation Department thinks Lindsay has done most of what she’s required to do, and they will NOT recommend that she be thrown in jail.

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Florida’s Gun Waiting Period Laws

In the state of Florida there is a three-day waiting period for the purchase of handguns. However, Florida voters in 1998 amended the state’s constitution to give counties the authority to enact their own waiting periods.

This causes confusion for those purchasing firearms.  You might wait three days in one county but five days in another county.

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FHP Cracks Down on DUI Offenders Through Labor Day

The Florida Highway Patrol will participate in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign on August 19th – September 5th.  The campaign is geared to help keep people safe on the road for the upcoming Labor Day holiday.

To learn more read the new release provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at http://www.flhsmv.gov/news/pdfs/PR081811.pdf.

Mahoney Vows To Fight DUI Charge

Tim Mahoney was arrested early Saturday morning after police in Palm Beach Gardens said they found him drunk and asleep behind the wheel of his car.

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Judge devises creative sentence for drunk drivers

If you are caught driving under the influence, recklessly, or commit repeat traffic offenses in Seminole County, Judge Carmine Bravo is likely to give you a creative sentence for such acts.

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Criminal Defense Attorney Mark Longwell mentioned in the Orlando Sentinel

Last week, yet another charge was dropped against a resident who had supposedly committed “battery” on an Orlando police officer. This time it was local activist John Kurtz, who had been videotaping someone else’s arrest when Officer Adam Gruler arrested Kurtz.

Gruler claimed Kurtz attacked him. But a jury watched the surveillance video — which didn’t show Kurtz battering anyone, but merely operating a video camera — and acquitted Kurtz of the charge. “It was simple,” said Kurtz’s attorney, Mark Longwell. “The video simply didn’t support the cop’s claim.”

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