Ask Tama – Video FAQs

1. When do the police have to read me my rights in Florida?
2. I was given a ticket and released with a date to appear in court. What do I do?
3. I taped some harassing telephone conversations with my ex-girlfriend. Can we use these tapes in court?
4. I heard that federal agents are asking questions about me. What does this mean?
5. I am guilty, have no defense, and just want to get this over with. Should I even bother getting an attorney?
6. I already pleaded guilty, but changed my mind. Can I withdraw that plea?
7. How will my sentence be decided in Florida?
8. How much time will I serve on my federal criminal sentence?
9. How do you appeal in federal court?
10. How do I know what class my crime falls into: petty offenses, misdemeanors or felonies?
11. How do I know that my case is a federal case?
12. How do I know if I am being investigated for federal charges?
13. How do I get out of jail after an arrest in Florida?
14. How can I fight a mandatory minimum sentence?
15. How can I defend myself against a drug charge?
16. How can I clear my criminal record in Florida?
17. Even if I have not yet been charged, but am only under investigation, do I still need an attorney?
18. Does it matter where I was arrested, like near a school, in determining how I am charged?
19. Do the police need a warrant to arrest me in Florida?
20. Do I need an attorney to represent me even if I am innocent?
21. Do I need an attorney for an appeal in Florida?
22. Do I need a federal attorney to fight my charges?
23. Do I have to give consent to a law enforcement officer to search my car in Florida?
24. Do I have to complete the entire probation time?
25. Do I have to be informed that I am being indicted or will I be indicted at a federal grand jury hearing?
26. Do all attorneys handle appeals?
27. Can the police just stop me on the street and search me for no reason in Florida?
28. Can the police get a warrant if someone told them I was doing something illegal?
29. Can the police conduct a search without a warrant in Florida?
30. Can the police come and get me in my house in Florida?
31. Can the police break down my door to enter my home in Florida?
32. What do I do if I cannot afford to make the bail set in my Florida criminal law case?
33. What crimes could result from internet activity involving minors?
34. What constitutes the crime of wire fraud?
35. What constitutes the crime of transporting or shipping child pornography?
36. What constitutes the crime of receiving, possessing or distributing child pornography?
37. What constitutes the crime of making a false statement to a federally insured institution?
38. What are the typical steps in a criminal proceeding in Florida?
39. What are the legal distinctions between possession, dealing and trafficking in controlled substances in Florida?
40. What are the federal sentencing guidelines?
41. What are my rights if I am accused of a crime in Florida?
42. What are Miranda rights or Miranda warnings?
43. What are identity theft and identity fraud?
44. What are house arrest and electronic monitoring?
45. The police want to get my side of the story. Should I give a statement?
46. The police want me to talk about a crime they think I committed. Should I comply?
47. The police want me to give them permission to search my house, car, computer, camera, etc. Should I give it to them?
48. The police did not read me my rights. Does that mean that the arrest is invalid and the charges will be dismissed?
49. The government seized my money because they thought it was drug money. What can I do to get it back?
50. Should I hire a drug or narcotics attorney?
51. Should I agree to a plea bargain?
52. People say that ignorance of the law is no defense, but what are specific intent crimes?
53. My offense is minor. Do I really even need an attorney or can I just handle this on my own?
54. Is there any way to fight back if I am arrested after an illegal search?
55. Is there any difference between being sent to jail or prison in Florida?
56. Is refusing to let the police search me an admission of guilt?
57. Is domestic violence a crime punishable under criminal law?
58. IRS agents showed up unannounced and want to talk to me. What should I do?
59. If I am not doing anything illegal, should I just let the police search me?
60. If I am interviewed as part of an internal company investigation, can I have my attorney present?
61. If an American is convicted of a crime in a foreign country, can they serve the sentence in an American prison?
62. What is the difference between rape and sexual assault in Florida?
63. What is the difference between detention and arrest in Florida?
64. What is the difference between a felony, a misdemeanor and a violation in Florida?
65. What is the crime of indecent exposure?
66. What is sexual battery?
67. What is RICO and what does it have to do with racketeering?
68. What is restitution?
69. What is meant by criminal procedure and why is it important?
70. What is forfeiture?
71. What is expungement in Florida?
72. What is drug diversion?
73. What is corporate crime?
74. What is appellate law?
75. What is a presentence investigation report and what is it used for in Florida?
76. What is a juvenile offender in Florida?
77. What is a federal grand jury?
78. What is a drug schedule?
79. What is a crime of omission?
80. What is a controlled substance?
81. What if the search and seizure is not legal?
82. What if the officer says they will go easy on me if I cooperate?
83. What if I have no objection to the facts, but feel I should have won a motion to suppress or dismiss. What should I do?
84. What happens in a federal detention hearing?
85. What happens if my child is arrested in Florida?
86. What happens if I win on appeal?
87. What happens if I am pulled over for suspected drunk driving in Florida?
88. What exactly is a federal grand jury investigation?
89. What does beyond a reasonable doubt mean?
90. What do I do if there is a warrant out for my arrest in Florida?
91. What is the difference between someone on parole and someone on probation?
92. What is the distinction between drug possession and intent to distribute?
93. What is the DNA registry?
94. What is the insanity defense and how does it work in Florida?
95. What is the sex offender registry?
96. What is white collar crime?
97. What relief can be obtained in a criminal appeal in Florida?
98. What rights do I have in Florida when a law enforcement officer asks me questions?
99. What should I do if I am arrested in Florida?
100. What should I do if I am arrested?
101. What should I do if I get a call that a loved one has been arrested?
102. What should I do if I think I am going to be charged with a federal crime?
103. What should I do if the FBI is investigating me or trying to contact me?
104. What types of sentences are there for crimes in Florida?
105. When are the police legally allowed to search me?
106. When do I have the right to an attorney in Florida?
107. When does the FBI decide to investigate a matter rather than the local or state police?
108. When is a governmental employee acting under color of law?
109. Who investigates and prosecutes federal crimes?
110. Who prosecutes white collar crimes?
111. Who sets a sentence in Florida and how is it determined?
112. Why can individuals be charged with drug dealing in Florida when the drugs were only for personal consumption?
113. Why did I have to post bond?
114. Why did my attorney ask the judge to sentence me to a year and a day instead of just a year?
115. Why do I have no bond in my case?
116. Why does the judge consider dismissed charges when computing my guideline range?
117. Why is criminal procedure different from civil procedure?
118. Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?
119. Why should I hire a defense attorney?
120. What is a federal crime?
121. Can probation be revoked in Florida?
122. Can my identity be kept confidential if I want to assist law enforcement?
123. Can my child be tried as an adult?
124. Can I move if I am on probation in Florida?
125. Can I get bail pending appeal?
126. Can I be charged if my friend pawned stolen property and I helped them carry it into the pawn shop?
127. Can I appeal on grounds of lack of evidence?
128. Can I appeal my sentence?
129. Can I appeal being found guilty of violating probation in Florida?
130. Can criminal cases be appealed in Florida?
131. Can an expungement be denied in Florida?
132. Can a person charged with a crime fire their assigned public defender without having another attorney to represent them?
133. Can a person be guilty of drunk driving in Florida if they only had one drink?
134. Can a federal judge order me to surrender a foreign passport to get bail?
135. Can a crime victim appeal a not guilty verdict?
136. Can a convicted felon ever possess a firearm?
137. Are there even stricter punishments for different drug offenses?
138. Are there different degrees of murder?
139. Are there any age limitations for bringing a juvenile into court?
140. Are juvenile records expunged in Florida?
141. Are grand jury proceedings secret in Florida?
142. Are federal grand jury proceedings secret?
143. Are all illegal drugs treated equally when it comes to punishing drug dealers in Florida?