No president in the history of the United States of America had been charged with a crime until April 2023. Now, in the last five months, former president Donald J. Trump has been charged with a total of 91 crimes in four different criminal cases.

What are the crimes and the potential consequences if Trump is found guilty on almost 100 criminal charges?

How Did We Get Here? Recapping Trump’s Criminal Charges

Investigations into former U.S. President Donald J. Trump have been going on for years. State and federal investigators and a special counsel, appointed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, have been looking into multiple incidents when Trump may have committed crimes.

The results of the investigations have been released in a wave of criminal indictments starting in April 2023.

As of August 2023, Trump has been charged with 91 crimes in four different cases. Two cases are federal and two are state cases, being filed in New York and Georgia. All of the charges are felonies.

The cases are serious. If Trump were to be found guilty on all charges and given the highest punishments associated with each law, he could face up to 717.5 years in prison, according to some estimates.

While Trump faces hundreds of years of prison time, it’s still unknown whether or not he’d face traditional imprisonment if convicted of any of the 91 charges. As a person under the protection of the Secret Service, it’s unclear how Trump would remain safe and secure behind bars, according to reporting by The Washington Post.

Related: Misdemeanor vs Felony: What’s the Difference? 

The Cases Against Trump

Trump has been indicted in four cases. Let’s break down the details of each criminal case with information as reported by Politico and The Washington Post.

New York State Hush Money Case

The first criminal indictment against Trump was filed in New York state in April 2023. In this case, Trump is accused of engaging in “catch-and-kill” schemes in which he and his associates transferred money between individuals and organizations to prevent the release of damaging information about Trump. The crimes are considered falsifying business records, which is a crime defined in Article 175 of the New York Penal Law.

• Type of Charges: State
• Number of Charges: 34
• Potential Consequences: 136 years
• Prosecutor: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

Related:Dealing With the Media During a High-Profile Case: What to Expect

Federal Documents Case

Trump’s next criminal indictment came in June 2023. The charges accuse Trump of violating The Presidential Records Act, which requires all records created by a sitting president to be turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) at the end of their administration. For two years, the NARA sought documents Trump had in his possession. Trump is accused of not only refusing to return the documents but also attempting to obstruct the process of document retrieval.

• Type of Charges: Federal (Filed in Florida)
• Number of Charges: 40
• Potential Consequences: 450 years in prison
• Prosecutor: Special Counsel Jack Smith

January 6th Case

In August 2023, Trump was indicted on four crimes related to his actions prior to the January 6th insurrection. Between election day and January 6th, Trump is accused of spreading false information about the validity of the election in an effort to stop the transfer of power. He is charged with obstructing an official proceeding and a conspiracy to defraud the United States.

• Type of Charges: Federal (Filed in Washington, DC)
• Number of Charges: 4
• Potential Consequences: 55 years in prison
• Prosecutor: Special Counsel Jack Smith

Election Interference Case

In addition to the federal case accusing Trump of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power, another case in Georgia charged Trump with 13 crimes related to his actions after the election. Trump is accused of trying to reverse Joe Biden’s win in Georgia by urging officials and state lawmakers to reverse the results of the election and plotting to send fake electors to Washington. Trump is named as a defendant in the case along with 18 others.

• Type of Charges: State
• Number of Charges: 13
• Potential Consequences: 71 years and six months
• Prosecutor: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis

Related: What Does It Take to Be an Attorney for a High-Profile Case? 

Facing Serious Criminal Charges

Charging a former U.S. president with felony crimes is unprecedented. And now, it has happened 91 times in just four months.

Each case will now wind its way through the legal system, and we will see if a former U.S. president may be sentenced to time behind bars for the first time in the history of the United States.

Even former presidents must go through the legal system when accused of a crime. Every person deserves legal representation when facing criminal charges. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney right away. To talk about a pending case, request your call with TJ Grimaldi today. Schedule or call 813-226-1023 now.

Over 900,000 Floridians signed a petition to make marijuana legal for recreational use in Florida. Do laws have the potential to change, and what might Florida look like if they do?

Florida’s Current Rules on Marijuana Use

Marijuana is illegal at the federal level in the United States, but across the country, 21 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states have approved medical marijuana in some form, as reported by Politico.

Florida is currently a state that permits marijuana use for medical purposes. A resident can obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Authorization if they have a qualifying medical condition as outlined by laws in Chapter 381 of the Florida Statutes.

In Florida, marijuana remains illegal for recreational use, but Florida’s law on marijuana could be changing.

Proposed Changes to Florida’s Rules on Marijuana

A constitutional amendment to legalize the recreational use of marijuana could be on the Florida ballot next year.

The proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana gathered enough signatures to put it on the ballot in 2024, according to Florida’s Department of State.

The proposed constitutional amendment — which gathered 967,528 valid signatures — allows “adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.”

The amendment could appear on the 2024 ballot, and if it receives at least 60% of the vote, it could pass and become law.

But there are still hurdles that could keep marijuana possession considered a crime in Florida.

Florida Attorney General Fights Changes

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has asked the Florida Supreme Court to reject the amendment. According to reporting by CBS News, Moody filed a 49-page brief claiming that the ballot summary would be “misleading to voters in several key respects.”

Twice before, the court ruled that previous initiatives aimed at authorizing the recreational use of marijuana did not meet constitutional standards.

If the amendment does not appear on the ballot and passes, Florida will continue to view marijuana possession as a criminal offense.

Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps

Current Punishments for Marijuana Crimes in Florida

In Florida, it is a crime to possess or sell marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, and hashish or concentrates.

Possession and sale of less than 20 grams of marijuana are misdemeanor crimes. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000, although a few counties and cities throughout Florida have decriminalized marijuana possession when under 20 grams.

Some jurisdictions provide officers with the discretion to replace arrests for possession of under 20 grams with citations. Penalties in these locations range from citations and fines ranging from $75 to $155.

Possession and sale of more than 20 grams of marijuana are felony crimes. Depending on the amount, someone charged with marijuana possession or sale could face between three and thirty years in prison and fines between $5,000 and $200,000.

Related: Misdemeanor vs Felony: What’s the Difference? 

How Has the Legalization of Drugs Impacted Other States?

The first two states to legalize recreational use of marijuana were Colorado and Washington in 2012. Per reporting by NPR, data on the impacts of the two states showed that the legalization of marijuana:

• Didn’t seem to substantially affect crime rates
• Seemed to have little or no effect on traffic accidents and fatalities
• Created jobs and proved to be good for state budgets
• Led to more adults over 26 consuming cannabis

Some states have taken it further and decriminalized hard drugs in addition to marijuana. Three years ago, residents in Oregon approved a ballot measure that eliminated criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of any drug, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

According to reporting by MSN, these law changes have had a negative effect on the state. “The state experienced one of the sharpest rises in overdose deaths in the nation and had one of the highest percentages of adults with a substance-use disorder.”

The results of legalizing marijuana and legalizing other hard drugs had different impacts on states. Now, Florida will wait to see if legalizing marijuana will pass and if so, how it impacts the state.

Related: The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys Have These 7 Qualities

Talk to an Attorney If Charged with Marijuana Possession

Marijuana possession, even in small amounts, remains illegal in Florida unless a resident has Medical Marijuana Use Authorization. While the punishment for marijuana possession ranges widely depending on the amount and the laws of local jurisdictions, drug possession is still a crime and should be taken seriously.

If you have been charged with marijuana possession, talk to a criminal defense attorney who can give you the best advice about how to navigate your charges and situation. Set up a free consultation with TJ Grimaldi to discuss your case and create a plan of action to address the charges.

A day of celebration turned into a tragedy when a family failed to put all three of their children to bed for the night. Parents, Joel and Jazmine Rondon, left their 18-month-old daughter sleeping in the car and found her in the morning dead.

How did this happen, and what charges do the parents now face?

An Avoidable Accident

On July 4, 2023, Joel and Jazmine Rondon, both 33, attended an Independence Day party in Lakeland, Florida, with their three children. The family stayed at the party until early morning, returning to their home around 3 a.m.

According to reporting by Bay News 9, the two parents arrived home and began unloading the car. They each thought the other had brought in their 18-month-old daughter who was sleeping in her car seat. But, neither parent brought the child inside.

In the morning, Joel Rondon got up around 10 a.m. An hour later, he asked the eldest child to check on the baby. When she wasn’t in her bed, Joel Rondon went outside and found her still in her car seat. She was unresponsive.

The parents rushed their daughter to the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed that she died from hyperthermia due to being left in the hot car.

Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps

Two Parents Taken into Custody

Joel and Jazmine Rondon submitted to drug tests which showed they had both consumed drugs and alcohol. Jazmine Rondon tested positive for marijuana and alcohol. Joel Rondon was positive for marijuana, alcohol, and methamphetamines.

In a press conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, “The pair consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana while at the party.” Their actions gave prosecutors a reason to charge them with a crime.

The parents were taken into custody and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Related: Misdemeanor vs Felony: What’s the Difference? 

Charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child

Aggravated manslaughter of a child is a serious charge. It is a first-degree felony, considered a homicide, and punishable by up to life in prison, life on probation, and a $10,000 fine. The minimum punishment for the charge is 13 years in prison.

Defined in Florida Statute 782.07(3), the charge is used for, “A person who causes the death of any person under the age of 18 by culpable negligence under s. 827.03(2)(b).”

Florida Statute 827.03(2)(b) refers to, ”A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child and in so doing causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the child commits a felony of the second degree.”

In this case, the parents are charged with manslaughter because their negligence led to the death of their daughter. As caregivers, they were responsible for their child’s welfare. They failed to provide the care and supervision necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health.

The parents did not intend to kill their daughter, but they are charged with being culpably negligent in their actions that led to the toddler’s death.

Related: Bridgetender Arrested for Manslaughter After Woman Falls to Death

Child Neglect vs. Aggravated Manslaughter

On this blog, we covered another story of a parent who was arrested for putting their child in a dangerous situation that resulted in their death. In that case, Johnny Martin was criminally charged after he brought his son to an illegal street race and his son was hit by a racer and killed.

Martin was not charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. In this case, the father was instead charged with child neglect, which is a second-degree felony that is punishable by up to 15 years in prison or 15 years probation and a $10,000 fine.

The charges are more severe for the Rondons. Because they left their toddler in the car, resulting in the child’s death, they now face up to life in prison for their negligence.

Related: What to Ask During a Free Consultation with a Lawyer

Talk to a Trusted Attorney

In any legal matter, it is essential to have a trusted attorney by your side. If you have been involved in a civil or criminal legal matter, talk to an experienced attorney right away.

Discuss the details of your situation with a free case review. Talk to attorney TJ Grimaldi today. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.

In a story that captivated the country, five men went missing after their touring submersible sank into the ocean on its way to view the wreckage of the Titanic. After a massive search, rescuers confirmed that the vessel had imploded and killed all of the men on board.

Now, allegations that the submersible wasn’t safe are surfacing. Do these allegations mean lawsuits could be coming? Who could be charged?

What Happened To the Titan?

On June 18, 2023, five men boarded the Titan submersible run by OceanGate Expeditions. Their mission was to travel 12,500 feet below the surface to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

Just two hours into the dive, the Titan lost communication with its control ship. Hours later, a massive search began looking for the 22-foot-long vessel. For four days, international ships, surveillance aircrafts, and undersea drones searched for the Titan. Finally, the vessel was found. Debris from the sub was found on the seafloor around the Titanic wreckage.

The remains of the sub indicated that Titan had imploded at some point in its descent. All five passengers were pronounced dead.

Passengers Signed Waivers Before the Trip

The five men aboard the Titan presumably knew there were risks involved with their journey. When they signed up for the trip, each paid as much as $250,000 and signed a lengthy liability waiver.

While details of the exact waiver signed by the men haven’t been made public, a passenger who made the trip with OceanGate Expeditions in July 2022 shared details about the waiver he signed before his trip.

Mike Reiss said the waiver mentioned the possibility of death three times on the first page alone. “You sign a massive waiver that lists one way after another that you could die on the trip,” Mike Reiss told the BBC.

Does this mean lawsuits can’t be filed in the case? Not exactly.

Is There a Case for Wrongful Death?

In cases where the negligence of a person or a company leads to the death of a person, there is an option to sue for wrongful death. Survivors can seek financial compensation for losses and damages experienced as a result of the death.

Wrongful death lawsuits are typically dictated by the rules and guidelines in state statutes. In Florida, wrongful death lawsuits are dictated by Florida Statute 768.21. In the case of the Titan, the accident happened in international waters, so it is not clear which jurisdiction would manage a potential case.

In most wrongful death cases, plaintiffs must typically prove two things.

1. The death was a result of the negligence or maliciousness of an at-fault party.
2. The death led to financial and/or emotional damages for surviving members of the deceased.

In an effort to avoid potential wrongful death lawsuits, companies or individuals seek protection through the use of liability waivers, as was the case with the Titan voyage. It appears that all passengers signed liability waivers.

But waivers don’t always offer unlimited protection against wrongful death lawsuits.

Related: How Do You Sue for Wrongful Death?

What Potential Lawsuits Could Arise?

The families of the men who died in the Titan could possibly sue for wrongful death if there is evidence of gross negligence or hazards that were not fully disclosed to the passengers.

Since the Titan went missing, allegations that the submersible wasn’t safe are coming to light.

In 2018, a former employee of OceanGate warned company leaders that the sub’s safety could be compromised, according to Insider.

In a lawsuit, the employee said he was worried about poor “quality control and safety” protocols that “​​paying passengers would not be aware of.”

If there were dangerous aspects of the construction of the vessel that were kept from the passengers, it could potentially open the door to litigation against OceanGate.

OceanGate is not the only company that could face potential litigation. The companies that designed, built, or made parts for the Titan could also face potential lawsuits if they are found to be negligent or the cause of the implosion.

Many details of the case are still being investigated, and as more details come to light, we will see if lawsuits will also follow.

Related: Examples of Wrongful Death Cases Worth Fighting For

Seek Justice If Injured by Negligence

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of another individual or company, you deserve to be made whole. To hold a negligent party accountable, talk to a personal injury attorney or a wrongful death attorney right away. Discuss the details of your situation to find out if you have a case to seek damages and justice.

Discuss your case with attorney TJ Grimaldi. All consultations are free so share your story today. Schedule your free consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.

When Hollywood couples divorce, they have to deal with both the public portrayal of their split and the legal implications of their breakup.

Let’s look at what considerations are most important during a divorce and the three stars dealing with breakups in the legal system and the public eye.

Breaking Down The Divorce Process

When a couple divorces, whether famous or not, they have to deal with the same considerations as everyone else. Hollywood couples may have higher stakes when it comes to the financial implications of their divorce, but they have to go through the same legal process.

1. One or both parties file a petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
2. If it is a contested divorce, the other party must file an answer within 20 days.
3. If there is a prenuptial agreement, the document outlines many of the details of the divorce.
4. Both parties may be required to fill out additional paperwork and affidavits related to details of the divorce.
5. Both parties may work together through mediation to come to an agreement.
6. If no agreement is made, a trial may take place.
7. A final judgment is made, and the divorce is finalized.

Depending on the complexity of the divorce, the process can happen quickly or take years to finalize as the couple works through the details of the divorce.

Related: How to File for Divorce in Florida

The Top Divorce Considerations

During a divorce, a couple has to work through a variety of details related to how they will split up their finances and property, manage their children, and move forward as separate entities.

The details that must be defined during a divorce include: 

• Assets and Liabilities: The couple must audit their assets and liabilities and determine who is responsible and has ownership over major items.
• Child Custody: If a couple has children under the age of 18, they must set guidelines for child custody and who has legal and physical custody.
• Child Support: When children are involved, details of the divorce may also include the amount of money that one spouse must pay another to take care of the children.
• Spousal Support: If one spouse has a larger income than the other, they may be required to pay monthly spousal support.
• Prenuptial Agreements: If a prenuptial agreement was signed before the marriage, it may dictate the details of asset and liability division, child custody, child support, and spousal support.

Related: How to Prepare for the First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney

How Three Celebrities Are Managing Their 2023 Divorce

In 2023, three Hollywood stars began the divorce process. Let’s look at how they are navigating the details of their divorce.

Reese Witherspoon

In March 2023, Reese Witherspoon filed for divorce from husband Jim Toth, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple had been married for 12 years, and they share a 10-year-old son, Tennessee. The details of Witherspoon and Toth’s divorce likely won’t need to be heavily litigated as the couple signed a prenuptial agreement in March 2011. According to Page Six, the prenuptial agreement is valid and will provide “adequate and sufficient provisions” for their assets and debts.

Per the rules of Davidson County, Tennessee, the couple is required to register for a parenting class and complete the class within 60 days. According to reports, the couple is ready to have a judge sign off on the prenuptial agreement and permanent parenting plan.

Related: What Happens After Divorce Papers Are Served?

Kevin Costner

In early May 2023, Kevin Costner’s wife Christine Costner filed for divorce. Christine Costner cited irreconcilable differences as the reason to end the 18-year marriage, according to reporting by TMZ. Christine Costner is Kevin Costner’s second wife, and they share three children, ages 12, 14, and 15.

The Costners also had a prenuptial agreement. Kevin Costner’s legal response said, “spousal support to be payable to petitioner pursuant to the terms of the parties’ Premarital Agreement.” Christine Costner asked for joint custody in her filing, and it appears that her husband is in agreement on the custody agreement for their children, filing for joint custody as well.

Related: How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Florida?

Drake Bell

In April 2023, just a few weeks after Drake Bell was reported missing, his wife, Janet Von Schmeling filed for divorce. The couple has been married for four years and share a one-year-old son, according to reporting by TMZ.

Von Schmeling cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce, which comes months after the couple separated in September 2022. According to reports, Von Schmeling is seeking primary legal and physical custody of their son and spousal support. She would like Bell to have visitation rights.

Navigate Divorce with a Trusted Advisor

Hollywood stars have to go through the same legal process as everyone else when ending a marriage. They have to sort through divorce proceedings and determine the best way to split up their assets, set spousal and child support payments, and create parenting plans.

If you are going through a divorce and dealing with the same issues, make sure you have a trusted attorney on your side. Don’t delay. Talk to an experienced divorce attorney right away.

Schedule a call with TJ Grimaldi to discuss the details of your situation. Contact our office or call 813-226-1023.