Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Earlier this week, Tuesday, three uniformed police officers were shot at while conducting an undercover investigation following a recent carjacking in the area. Luckily none of the officers were hurt during the incident, but the vehicle did sustain two gun shot wounds. Later in the week, Jacksonville Police arrested Fred Calvin Childs for the attempted murder of the police officers.

The Jacksonville Police were located at the Forest Park apartment complex shortly after 8 PM on Monday conducting an undercover investigation. During their third trip around the complex someone in a crowd of people opened fire on the officers. Most of the shots missed, but two struck the passenger side of the vehicle. The police left the area and quickly returned to question witnesses. Several people were taken into custody for questioning and later Mr. Childs was arrested after finding a handgun in his apartment.

This case is still in the initial stages and the charges against Mr. Childs are likely to change. When facing a murder charge, the advise and counsel of a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer will be advantageous to a Jacksonville Criminal Defendant. The legal process is complicated, complex, and not always favorable to unrepresented Jacksonville Criminal Defendants. That is why it is important to contact a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer if you are facing Criminal charges or already have Criminal charges pending. They will be able discuss your case with you, determine possible defenses and justifications, and work with you for the best possible outcome in your Criminal law matter.

Eric Francis Sandefur pled guilty to attempted first-degree murder. He was accused of stabbing a transient man, Jason James Jerome, in Jacksonville on December 4, 2010. He entered a guilty plea which exposes him to 40 years in Florida State Prison. Due to the recent Supreme Court ruling in Graham v. Florida, Sandefur cannot be sentenced to life in prison. Duval County Judge, Virginia Norton, will listen to mitigating evidence presented by Sandefur's Jacksonville Criminal Lawyer and aggravating evidence submitted by the Duval County Assistant State Attorney. Thereafter, she will render a decision and sentence this Jacksonville teenager. Therefore, it is important for Sandefur and his Jacksonville Criminal Lawyer to prepare well for this sentencing hearing.

For more information, read Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Jacksonville Stabbing Case.

On July 15, 2010, Nicholas Highsmith, a Clay County resident, was arrested for the battery, rape, robbery, and attempted murder of a woman in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. He was tried this week on all four charges. The jury returned a not guilty verdict as to the rape and attempted murder charges. However, he was found guilty of theft and aggravated battery. While Mr. Highsmith still may be sentenced to Florida State Prison, the outcome of his case should still be considered a victory. If Mr. Highsmith would have been convicted of all the Jacksonville felony charges, he could have been sentenced to Life in prison. He still needs to prepare for a sentencing hearing in order to mitigate his sentence in this Jacksonville Criminal Case.

Dos Gatos is a cocktail lounge in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It is popular for its signature drinks and mellow atmosphere. In the early morning hours of March 1, 2011, the Jacksonville bar ended up with more action than usual. According to local media reports (Florida Times Union and First Coast News of Jacksonville), a fight broke out in the bar that resulted in a shooting in the the street. A woman was taken into custody in reference to this Jacksonville shooting. As of today's date, charges have not been filed. Depending on the circumstances, if this woman is the shooter, she could be charged with aggravated assault or battery, attempted murder, or a homicide crime. The criminal charges will depend on the facts of the case.

Today, a 17-year-old boy, Eric Francis Sandefur, was charged with the stabbing death of a homeless man, Jason Jerome, in Jacksonville, Florida. His Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer and Public Defender entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. His Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer may have pled not guilty for several reasons. The defendant may have requested that she do so, order for him to obtain a private Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer. Otherwise, his Public Defender likely needs more time to conduct an investigation. 

Jacksonville media reports that police have obtained a video that "shows a figure in what appears to be a jacket and tie holding a knife while Jerome backs away, his shoulders covered by a blanket... Sandefur, who was arrested two days later, made statements to investigators that he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone." Undoubtedly, his attorney will want to investigated his statement and review the video carefully.

If you are facing criminal charges in Jacksonville, Florida or the surrounding counties, contact Cynthia Veintemillas, Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer.

Tyrone Hartsfield will be arraigned today in Jacksonville, Florida.  He was arrested for the attempted murder of Jacksonville Jaguar football player, Richard Collier.  Florida Statute Section 782.04 defines first-degree murder as the unlawful, premeditated killing of a human being.  If the criminal defendant is unable to carry out the murder, this is attempted murder.  In order to commit attempted murder, you must specifically intend to kill another human being.  It is the state attorney's burden to prove that you intended to kill the other person.