by Eric Roper | Jan 6, 2012 | Maritime Transportation, Uncategorized
As previously discussed in this post, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) may now utilize an exemption from the requirement to publish rates in a tariff by entering a Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA) with...
by Eric Roper | Nov 7, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Military Law, Uncategorized
The military continues to target and prosecute service members under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) who are accused of using or selling Spice, a type of synthetic marijuana. The continued emphasis on this type of prosecution in the military serves as a...
by Eric Roper | Oct 10, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
Criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors and judges continue to litigate charges brought under Florida Statute Section 893.13, which makes it unlawful for any person to sell, deliver or possess with the intent to sell a controlled substance. If a defendant is convicted...
by Eric Roper | Oct 7, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Military Law, Uncategorized
Consider the following hypothetical case. You are home watching TV when you hear a knock at the front door. Answering the door, you find a uniformed police officer who asks if he may come inside and take a look around because neighbors have reported smelling what...
by Eric Roper | Apr 29, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Military Law, Uncategorized
Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provides the authority for a Commanding Officer to impose non-judicial punishment (NJP). Subject to some limitations, individuals facing NJP have the right to refuse NJP and to consult with a criminal defense...
by Eric Roper | Apr 15, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
The Florida Supreme Court, in a 5-2 opinion, recently ruled that a warrantless “sniff test” by a drug detection dog at the front door of a private residence was an unreasonable search under the Fourth Amendment. In 2006, police received an anonymous tip...
by Eric Roper | Apr 15, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
Should a criminal defense lawyer file a motion to suppress incriminating statements recorded by police when the defendants were being held in the back of a patrol car? That is the question raised by the recent arrest of two University of Florida basketball players and...
by Eric Roper | Mar 25, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Military Law, Uncategorized
If you are in the military and find yourself in state court, either as a party to a civil case such as a divorce or as a defendant in a criminal case, your lawyer should know what effect the state court actions may have on your military career. There is a perception...
by Eric Roper | Mar 15, 2011 | Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
As a criminal defense lawyer, I often get questions about when the police are required to read a suspect their “Miranda” rights and what it means for their case if they don’t read them those rights. If you have tuned into one of the many crime/cop...
by Eric Roper | Mar 2, 2011 | Military Law, Uncategorized
Search the phrase “military divorce” and the old Google-machine will spit back over 3 million hits. Despite an increased focus by the military on providing marital and family support services, including counseling, child care, and stress management...
