The Khonsari Law Firm Blog

St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney

All About House Arrest: Looking at Florida’s Community Control Program

When you hear the words “house arrest,” what comes to mind? You may first think of a colloquial use of the term, meaning to ground an unruly teenager. Alternately, images of Lindsay Lohan or Bernie Madoff may come to mind, celebrities who were given a proverbial slap on the wrist by the courts because of their status. These ideas, however, don� [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 6, 2017

Voting Rights for Felons Are Up for Debate in Florida

It is your right as an American to vote, right? Well, once you are a convicted felon, that can be debatable. If you have committed a crime and served your time, then you should be able to vote; that is the way many Americans see the issue. Why should this burden follow you for eternity? It is almost as if your past is on your shoulder all the time. [...]

Rohom Khonsari November 3, 2017

You Have the Right to Remain Silent: Your Miranda Rights

You have probably heard this many times on TV crime dramas: "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…” Yes, these are the words spoken by a police officer to a suspect who has been placed under arrest, otherwise known as the Miranda warning. Where Did the Miranda Warning Come Fro [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 31, 2017

Is Asking for a Lawyer an Indication of Guilt?

Under both the Florida Constitution and the Constitution of the United States (specifically the Fifth Amendment), a person may not be compelled to testify as a witness against himself in a criminal interrogation or prosecution. This is called the Fifth Amendment Right against Self-Incrimination. Moreover, a suspect’s request for counsel in respon [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 26, 2017

The Heat of Passion: Mitigating Murder to Manslaughter

Murder is the most serious criminal charge you can sustain in the State of Florida, and the possible penalties upon conviction include long periods of incarceration and heavy fines. These penalties may be lessened considerably if you are able to plead your murder charge(s) down to a manslaughter charge. If you have been charged with murder or mansl [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 23, 2017

Background Check Got You Worried?

Plenty of people are looking for new jobs and better opportunities. But the prospect of new employment may also include the concern and hesitation of a background check. More than ever, employers are requesting background checks prior to employment. And with greater access to public records and databases via the internet, background check companies [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 21, 2017

What Is Embezzlement?

Florida property crimes all fall under the umbrella of theft offenses. Under the Florida criminal statute, theft is defined as the unauthorized taking or use of another person’s property, with the intent of depriving that person of the property on either a temporary or permanent basis. Embezzlement is one type of theft offense under Florida law. [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 19, 2017

The Bright White Line of White Collar Crime: Money Laundering

Money laundering dates back as early as 2000 BCE; people have always felt the frustration of seeing hard-earned dollars go to kings and queens or governments as taxes. So it’s not surprising that people have been trying to avoid paying taxes for centuries. What has advanced money laundering in this era of technology is the ability to contact stra [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 17, 2017

Problems with Prescription Medication Are Skyrocketing

The epidemic of opiate abuse is rampant in the United States, and no corner of society has been left untouched. Opiate medications come in many different forms: codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, Norco, Vicodin, Lortab, Dilaudid, and Demerol are some of the most common. While many people are prescribed the medications after serious accidents or surger [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 15, 2017

Venus Williams and Vehicular Homicide

It’s Wimbledon season! But unfortunately, this year’s tennis whites have been soiled by the upsetting and unfortunate case of champion tennis player Venus Williams and the car accident that caused the death of an elderly gentleman. Under Florida law, a person can be convicted of vehicular homicide if he causes the death of another while operat [...]

Rohom Khonsari October 13, 2017