When a person’s liberty is at stake, time is of the essence. Here’s what to do when a call comes in from a client (or prospective client) in jail. Get the basic information. Find out the time and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, the charges (if known), the bail (if any and if known), […]
read moreAt the Law office of Robert Eckard & Associates, P.A., we understand, whether you are a Defendant or Plaintiff in a lawsuit, it can be a complex, stressful and confusing time. Therefore, we have put together a basic outline you can use to familiarize yourself with how your case will progress. Obviously, we can only […]
read moreOne summer night before starting my senior year in high school, I was riding my bike home from a friend’s house. Out of nowhere a police cruiser abruptly pulled up onto the sidewalk, cutting me off. It was so abrupt that I nearly fell off my bike and hit head first into a pole. The […]
read moreOne underreported outcome of the November elections is that nearly 25 percent of Americans now live in a state where recreational marijuana use is legal. Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and of course California voted to legalize recreational marijuana, bringing the total to eight states, including Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Colorado, and the District of Columbia, while […]
read moreWhat is Defamation? Defamation is a statement that is communicated to another that expressly or by implication injures the reputation of another or causes others to not associate with that person or their business interests. While each state’s laws vary, the Florida Supreme Court has determined that the basic elements of a defamation suit in […]
read moreKnow Your Rights: What to do When Pulled Over by the Police. The sight of flashing police lights behind you can be quite stressful for sure. Was I speeding? Do I have anything in my vehicle that I should not have? Did I have drinks while out at dinner? These and others may be a few […]
read moreThe term “pro se” means representing yourself in a legal proceeding. This a valid option however, you need to decide if it is the best option for you. There are many advantages to hiring a lawyer for your case. A lawyer knows how to navigate the legal system where as a pro se litigant most likely has never dealt […]
read moreIn Florida, anyone who accepts the privilege of driving (issued a driver license), is presumed to have given their consent to submit to a lawful request to provide breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining your blood alcohol content or the presence of chemical or controlled substances (DUI)[section 316.1932 Florida Statutes]. The penalties for refusing to submit to a […]
read moreDo you suspect domestic violence? October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a serious and preventable crime. It is important to be there and support victims and survivors of domestic violence. An important step in ending domestic violence includes educating the community. The following are 5 things you can do to support a victim […]
read moreThose immortal words of comedian Bill Engvall could not hold truer than with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s this week. Does anyone remember our Fourth Amendment? In an effort to thwart car burglaries, Deputy Sheriffs are patrolling Pinellas County looking for unlocked vehicles. When they discover a car with an unlocked door, they open it, lock […]
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