by seligman | Apr 10, 2012 | Criminal Defense Legal News
Are psychics protected by religious rights? Freedom of speech as a criminal defense in Ft Lauderdale Florida. by Sharon Hill on April 9, 2012 at 11:12 am Psychics’ practices protected by religious rights, lawyers say – South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com. What a South Florida family of psychics did for 20 years was criminal fraud, federal prosecutors say. But the Marks family’s defense team says it was something very different — religion, free speech and a sincere belief in spiritual healing. Nine members of the Fort Lauderdale family of Roma, or gypsies led by fortunetelling matriarch Rose Marks, were arrested in August on federal fraud conspiracy charges and accused of defrauding their clients of $40 million. Defense attorneys are attacking the criminal indictment on several fronts, hoping to get the charges dismissed before a proposed trial date in November. Lawyers have argued in court papers that the family members had a constitutionally protected right to practice fortunetelling and spiritual healing because it is a part of their religious belief system and fortunetelling is legally considered to be free speech. According to a release from the Justice Department, the Marks: used magic tricks and false statements to frighten their victims into giving them large sums of money and other valuables, including jewelry and gold coins, to be “cleansed” of the evil spirits. The defendants told victims that they and their family would suffer terrible consequences, including diseases, hauntings, and financial hardships, unless they turned over their money and valuables for “cleansing” by the defendants. Describing the case as "slipshod" in a written ruling this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Vitunac ordered prosecutors...
by seligman | Mar 21, 2012 | Criminal Defense Legal News
There has been an increase in gang related Crimes in Ft Lauderdale and Broward County. If your child has been arrested due to a gang related crime you will need an experienced Juvenile defense lawyer. Psychologists feel that Children join gangs for a sense of belonging and the nurturing they may not be getting at home. That first gang arrest can lead to a long trail of criminal acts. Remember your child needs to remain accepted by the gang. You will Need an experienced Juvenile lawyer . Guy Seligman is here to help. Cracking down on gangs: As criminal groups grow across the county, police are making more arrests and teaching residents how to protect themselves "The public should be aware that there is a problem," said Carl Shechter, vice mayor of Pembroke Pines, home to 22 known gangs. Countywide, law enforcement agencies hope to curb gang violence by teaching residents how to protect themselves, meeting with teachers to stem gangs at schools and monitoring social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, which are popular recruiting tools On Thursday, South Florida became the latest region in the state to launch a Gang Reduction Task Force. The task force, under the Attorney General's Office, is made up of government officials, law enforcement, nonprofit group leaders, school administrators and the business community. The task force is aimed at preventing gangs from growing and stopping the ones already here. Criminal gangs have swelled in Florida to more than 1,500 with over 65,000 members, statistics show. In 2008, the Broward Sheriff's Office made 385 gang-related arrests, compared with 373 in 2007 and...
by seligman | Mar 7, 2012 | Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Blog
Guy Seligman is an experienced Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense lawyer for traffic and criminal records expungement lawyer in Florida covering Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, and the entire state of Florida. However not all records can be expunged. Below you will find a list of crimes that cannot be expunged or sealed in Florida’ it is important to understand that your criminal history cannot be sealed or expunged in Florida if you were found guilty by a judge or pled guilty or no contest to specific criminal charges . This applies even if adjudication was withheld or you were convicted of attempting or conspiring to commit these specific crimes. The following is a list of crimes was taken from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website: Arson Aggravated Assault Aggravated Battery Illegal use of explosives Child abuse or Aggravated Child Abuse Abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult, or aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult Aircraft piracy Kidnapping Homicide Manslaughter Sexual Battery Robbery Carjacking Lewd, lascivious, or indecent assault or act upon or in the presence of a child under the age of 16 years Sexual activity with a child, who is 12 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age, by or at solicitation of a person in familial or custodial authority Burglary of a dwelling Stalking and Aggravated Stalking An act of domestic violence Home-invasion Robbery An act of terrorism Manufacturing certain controlled substances Sexual misconduct with a developmentally-disabled person Sexual misconduct with a mental-health patient Luring or enticing a child Sexual battery Procuring a...
by seligman | Feb 24, 2012 | Criminal Defense Legal News
Guy Seligman is a unique lawyer who has spent many years serving the legal needs of our Seminole Indian tribe in S. Florida. According to Guy There is very little Floridians know about the rich history and importance of our Seminole neighbors to South Florida. They bring a long history and are such an important part of our current culture. History of the Seminoles In South Florida 1510 – First recorded European contact with Seminole ancestors, Spanish slave ship reaches South Florida peninsula. 1513 – Spaniards claim Eastern U.S., call it La Florida. 1539-43 – Hernando DeSoto explores Southeast – first white contact for many Tribes. 1565 – Spaniards establish St. Augustine – first permanent European city in North America. 1670 – English settle Charles Towne, begin coastal skirmishes with Spanish. 1690s – French settle Louisiana. 1704-1708 – English destroy Spanish Florida missions, kill or enslave thousands of Natives. 1740 – Alachua, earliest recorded Seminole town, established in North Florida. 1763 – Spain cedes Florida to England. 1776 – Revolutionary War creates U.S.A. circa 1804 – Osceola (William Powell) born near Tuskeegee, Alabama. 1813-14 – Creek War in Alabama forces Native survivors to flee southward where they join Florida natives. Gen. Andrew Jackson rises to power. 1816 – First Seminole War begins after Jackson crosses into northern Florida. 1823 – Treaty of Moultrie Creek. Seminoles give up 28-million acres, retain 4 million. 1832 – Treaty of Payne s Landing ratified by Congress. Promised 5 million acres in southwest Florida to Seminoles. Dec. 28,1835 – Osceola leads Seminoles at Battle of Withlacoochee, slays U.S. Indian Agent. Maj. Francis Dade,...
by seligman | Feb 13, 2012 | Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Blog
Shoplifting and Teenagers What To Do and What Not To Do If Your Teenager Is Caught Shoplifting We hear it in this law office all the time. "My child was arrested for shoplifting, Can You help"? Of course, we can help defend a child accused of Shoplifting but, there is a bit more to it then that. As a parent there are things you can do that will help your child psychologically. There are some steps you should take. And of course contact a juvenile defense lawyer immediately. Ok, you've gotten a call that every parent would dread. Your teenager has been picked up for shoplifting. This is 'one of those things' that you have always prayed wouldn't happen, but it has. Now you have to deal with it. Here are a few tips to help you get through this trying time. When you first get the call, write down where you need to go to get your teenager and the phone number of the facility. Many parents do not do this and try to figure it out after they have hung up the phone. Avoid this added stress by writing it all down. Avoid confronting your teenager at the scene or facility. It just will not help and could go against both of you if charges are filed. Find out who is in charge and treat this person with respect. Find out if charges are being filed. Write these things down; do not rely on your memory. When you get home with your teenager, take a time out. You will both need it. There is nothing wrong with...
