Q: I was initially charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. I was in jail waiting for a court hearing for eight. My Public Defender advised me to take to plea no contest to the lesser charge of aggravated assault… Continue Reading I was initially charged with aggravated assault with a firearm…
What should I expect to happen for being arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia while I am on county probation for First Offense Driving Under the Influence? I have not had any other violations and I am 8 months into… Continue Reading What should I expect to happen for being arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia while I am on county probation for First Offense Driving Under the Influence?
Diversion offers are plea offers negotiated with the State Attorney. There are five programs offered in the Firsit Judicial Circuit which is the Circuit for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Pre-trial Diversion, the misdemeanor program, and Pre-trial Intervention,… Continue Reading What is a Diversion Program?
Q: When the Fifth District court of appeals in Florida dismisses your case for lack of jurisdiction, what should i do next? A: The best thing to do at this juncture is to go to the Fifth District Court of… Continue Reading What to do when the Fifth District court of appeals in Florida dismisses your case for lack of jurisdiction.
Q: How soon can a criminal defense lawyer get an arrest warrant put aside for failure to appear in court for DWLS? The answer to you question really is specific to the Judge who signed off on your warrant. Yes,… Continue Reading How soon can a criminal defense lawyer get an arrest warrant put aside for failure to appear in court for DWLS?
Going to court can be a very unpleasant experience for most. We can save a lot of heartache and stress if we understand what is expected of us when we are present in a courtroom. These tips could help make… Continue Reading Courtroom Tips
As a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Swiatek’s goal is that everyone understands their rights. This page of Resources was created so that you may be well-informed of local and national legal information. This page was last updated 10/2/19. The Courts… Continue Reading Legal Resources
FORT WALTON BEACH — After it was determined that all black bears in Florida qualify as Florida black bears, Okaloosa County Judge T. Patterson Maney ruled Friday that Ralph Ward indeed had illegally killed two of them. Swiatek argued that… Continue Reading nwfdailynews.com: Man fined for killing bears
FORT WALTON BEACH –Wearing a special device that allowed him to hear attorneys, 82-year-old Ralph Ward shared an old-fashioned perspective Thursday on the relationship between man and animal at his trial for shooting two Florida black bears. Under questioning from… Continue Reading nwfdailynews.com: Man says he didn’t kill bears
What is an arrest? When you are arrested, you are taken into custody. This means that you are not free to leave the scene. Without being arrested, however, you still could be detained or held for questioning for a short… Continue Reading What Happens if I am Arrested?