Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Witness Tampering has Consequences
Sam Bankman-Fried had been staying at his parent’s home under a $250 million bail deal, but lost the privilege after the prosecution accused him of witness tampering, and the judge agreed. That landed him in a jail cell, despite objections he would not be able to prepare for his upcoming trial properly. What, exactly,… Read More »
Bankruptcy Exemptions in Florida
No one ever looks forward to a bankruptcy filing, but Floridians who file for Bankruptcy are fortunate in that they may take advantage of more generous exemptions than people in other states are allowed to do. Although there are strict residency rules for people wishing to file for bankruptcy—precisely because individuals from other states… Read More »
Domestic Violence is a Crime
If you have suffered domestic violence, you likely have experienced an array of feelings, from isolation and fear to guilt and shame. But what you may not fully comprehend is that domestic violence is a crime, and if a perpetrator has subjected you to any of a whole list of crimes, you could get… Read More »
New Hope for Discharging Student Loan Debt Through Bankruptcy
For students who are struggling to pay back their student loans, the recent Supreme Court decision that squelched President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan was a blow to both their finances and their morale. While having $10 thousand to $20 thousand in such debt forgiven would have been an ideal solution for many, the current… Read More »
Dating Violence is Domestic Violence
Whatever you think you may know about domestic violence, you may not realize that dating violence folds up into the umbrella of domestic violence, and many teens and young adults deal with it every day. Facts Worth Knowing For those who believe the problem is being overstated, consider these statistics: Dating violence is a… Read More »
Double Jeopardy
When most people think of the 5th Amendment, the right to remain silent usually comes to mind. But there is much more to this important amendment to the constitution. Case in point: protection from double jeopardy. What is Double Jeopardy? The important clause in the 5th Amendment is thought to have originated in ancient… Read More »
Life After Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy: it’s not something anyone opts for lightly. But for anyone overwhelmed by debt, it is often the only opportunity to start over. Whether you got here because of a job loss, a medical crisis, a catastrophic event, or by living outside your means, know that, as bleak as things may seem now, there… Read More »
Domestic Violence is not the Victim’s Fault
If you are being victimized in your own home, you may be experiencing a slew of emotions in addition to fear of your abuser. Perhaps you feel some measure of guilt because your attacker has told you so many times that the abuse is all your fault. That leads to feelings of shame and… Read More »
But I’m Innocent!
What could be more unnerving than for an innocent person to be charged with a crime and hauled through the criminal justice system, particularly when a conviction could lead to imprisonment! That’s why it’s essential for suspects to utilize their Fifth Amendment rights to remain silent and request a local attorney at the first… Read More »
Children and Domestic Violence
Many people envision domestic violence as physical assaults occurring between adults. While that encompasses a large chunk of domestic violence incidents, it by no means accounts for all of it. The fact is, Florida law defines domestic violence as any criminal behavior that leads to the injury or death of any family member at… Read More »