It’s another unprecedented moment. A former President of the United States has been indicted on federal criminal charges.

What led to the 37 federal criminal charges against Donald J. Trump? What charges does he face, and what potential consequences lay ahead of him?

What Led to The Charges?

The core of the case against Donald J. Trump is tied to 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. Two years of events triggered by the NARA led to Trump’s June 2023 indictment. Here is a breakdown of the timeline that led to the charges.

May 2021: The NARA realizes that several important documents weren’t handed over before Trump left the White House. The organization reaches out to Trump’s team to collect the documents.

January 2021: The NARA receives 15 boxes of documents. Inside, they find more than 100 classified documents.

February 2021: The NARA informs the Justice Department of the situation and asks the department to look into Trump’s handling of White House records and whether he violated the Presidential Records Act and other laws related to classified information.

April 2021: The Justice Department reaches out to Trump’s lawyers to request access to the remaining documents as they believe more sensitive information is included in the documents. Trump’s team asks for more time to review the documents before the FBI receives access.

May 2022: The Justice Department sends a subpoena to Trump requesting that all documents with classification markings be returned.

June 2022: Federal investigators visit Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s attorney hands over 38 classified documents and signs an affidavit saying there are no more classified documents on the property.

August 2022: The FBI executes a court-issued search warrant and searches Mar-a-Lago. Federal agents find more than 100 additional classified documents.

November 2022: Attorney General Merrick Garland appoints Jack Smith as a special counsel to investigate the situation.

June 2023: After months of investigation and conducting interviews, the special counsel presents evidence in front of a grand jury in southern Florida. The grand jury votes to indict Trump, charging him with 37 federal felony charges.

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

What Are the Charges?

Trump has been charged with 37 federal felony counts. Each count relates to Trump’s behavior while dealing with the NARA and FBI as they attempted to locate and collect documents from Trump’s presidency.

• Counts 1-31: Willful retention of national defense information. Trump is accused of storing 31 sensitive national defense documents at Mar-a-Lago. Each count represents a document.
• Count 32: Conspiracy to obstruct justice. Trump is accused of conspiring to keep documents from the grand jury investigating the case.
• Count 33: Withholding a document or a record. Trump is accused of moving boxes so documents would not be introduced to the grand jury.
• Count 34: Corruptly concealing a document or record. Trump is accused of attempting to hide boxes of documents from attorneys.
• Count 35: Concealing a document in a federal investigation. Trump is accused of hiding documents that led to a false certification being issued to the FBI.
• Count 36: Scheme to conceal. Trump is accused of hiding the possession of documents from the FBI and grand jury.
• Count 37: False statements and representations. Trump is accused of leading his attorney to make false statements to the FBI and grand jury.

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

Who Else Is Involved?

Walt Nauta, a former presidential aide to Trump and current Trump employee, is also listed as a defendant on the federal charges.

Naulta faces six charges. He is included in charges with Trump and also is charged with an individual charge of making false statements and representations. The count accuses Nauta of giving false answers during a voluntary interview with the FBI in late May.

What Are the Potential Consequences?

According to The Washington Post, Trump faces a maximum of hundreds of years in prison.

The maximum punishment for retention of national defense information is ten years in prison for each charge. Trump faces 31 charges for this crime.

Trump also faces charges associated with conspiracy to obstruct justice, tampering with grand jury evidence, and concealing evidence in a federal investigation which carry punishments of up to 20 years. He also faces false statement charges that carry up to five years in prison.

It’s unlikely that Trump would be sentenced to hundreds of years in prison even if he is convicted on all charges.

Federal defendants rarely receive the maximum possible punishment, and sentencing can vary widely as there are no mandatory minimum sentences. Trump will have an option to settle his case, or it will be brought to a jury trial in the upcoming months.

Related: Breaking Down The Case and Verdict in Donald Trump’s Sex Abuse Case

Get Legal Advice You Can Trust

Whether you are one of the most high-profile figures in the world or not, you need expert advice when dealing with legal matters big or small. If you are facing criminal charges or have a civil case ahead of you, talk to an experienced attorney right away.

For advice on cases from criminal defense to family law and personal injury, request your free consultation with TJ Grimaldi. Let’s discuss your case. Contact our office or call 813-226-1023 today.

A couple was married for 37 years when the loving wife brought a gun into her terminally ill husband’s hospital room and shot him. She said she was honoring his wishes, but now she is facing first-degree murder charges.

What does the law say about assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy killing? And what charges does the wife face for honoring her husband’s wishes?

What Happened in the Hospital Room?

Ellen Gilland, 76, and Jerry Gilland, 77, had been high school sweethearts. People close to them say they were a loving couple who were happily married for 37 years. But, their romance came to an end when Ellen Gilland brought a .38 revolver into Jerry Gilland’s 11th-floor hospital room and shot him, per reporting by the New York Times.

Jerry Gilland was reportedly facing a serious health condition, and he and his wife had made a pact. If his condition worsened, he wanted to die. He would do it himself, and if he didn’t have the strength, his wife — a former special education teacher — would do it.

On the day of his death, Jerry Gilland was not strong enough to hold the revolver so his wife did it for him. Ellen Gilland reportedly fired the shot that killed him.

A Three-Hour Standoff Leads to an Arrest

Ellen Gilland fired the shot around 11:35 a.m. at AdventHealth hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida, killing her husband.

When police arrived, she refused to leave the room, later stating she was planning to turn the gun on herself. Ellen Gilland didn’t threaten to shoot anyone, but she didn’t put the gun down as police officers tried to negotiate with her.

A 3.5-hour standoff required patients and staff to be evacuated from the area.

Police finally detained Ellen Gilland around 3:00 p.m. after using a flash-bang device and a non-lethal round, according to reporting by The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Ellen Gilland was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

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

Wife Faces First-Degree Murder Charges

First-degree murder is the most serious murder charge in Florida. It is a Capital Offense defined by Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a) as murder that is either premeditated or committed while in the act of a felony.

Ellen Gilland appears to have planned her husband’s murder, making it premeditated.

The punishment for first-degree murder in Florida is life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

Related: Get Good Legal Representation by Asking This One Question

Florida Law on Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and Mercy Killing

Florida law bans forms of assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy killing.

Florida State Code 765.309 says, “Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or euthanasia, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.”

No information appears to have been released on Jerry Gilland’s prior medical condition or diagnosis, but even if he had been dying, Ellen Gilland committed a crime under Florida laws.

Even in states with Death With Dignity, Right to Die, or End of Life Options laws on the books, Ellen Gilland’s action would be considered illegal.

Denied Bond and Facing Serious Charges

Ellen Gilland remains in prison as a judge denied her request to be released on bond.

During the bond hearing, a psychiatrist and two of Ellen Gilland’s nieces testified on her behalf. The psychiatrist said he believed Ellen Gilland was no longer suffering from the depressive episode that led her to shoot her husband and that she was no longer a threat to herself or others.

Two of Gilland’s nieces testified and said Ellen Gilland was welcome to stay with them at their home. One niece said Jerry Gilland’s family supported Ellen Gilland’s pretrial release and that they had “no animosity” towards her.

But, the judge was not convinced.

He denied the request. “This is extremely sympathetic,” the judge said at the end of the hearing, but “the law in the state of Florida does not allow for a mercy killing.”

Related: The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys Have These 7 Qualities

Talk to an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

When charged with crimes, it’s essential to have an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Whether facing a misdemeanor or a felony, you need a defense attorney to ensure that you get due process of the law and the best possible outcome. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to an experienced attorney today. TJ Grimaldi is here to help guide you through your case. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 to talk to TJ today.

Johnny Knoxville is known for his pranks. As the star of the “Jackass” franchise, Knoxville and his crew often perform pranks and stunts that put them in uncomfortable, embarrassing, or even dangerous situations.

But one of their pranks may have gone too far, and it led to a lawsuit.

What did Knoxville do, and will he be liable for damages?

A Prank Gone Too Far?

Khalil Khan is a freelance electrician in California who finds work through the Taskrabbit app.

According to Variety, Khan received a request to repair an electric dimmer switch at a private home. When Khan arrived at the home, he met a man who threatened to beat him up if he didn’t do the job right. Khan started to work on the dimmer switch when a lamp went out and a ten-year-old girl came into the room. The girl told him he made the power go out and killed her horse which was on life support in another room.

The ten-year-old was an actor involved in the prank put on by Knoxville and his team.

Khan was then brought into a room, which appeared to have a pony hooked up to machines. From there, Khan could see out the window, and his car was being towed. When Khan said he wanted to call the cops, a man pulled out a bag of white powder and told Khan he would get in trouble because his vehicle had cocaine in it.

Khan said he was “horrified” by the incident.

Knoxville eventually disclosed to Khan that he was being pranked. Knoxville was filming the prank for his new series “The Prank Patrol,” an ABC comedy series set to premiere in 2023.

Knoxville offered Kahn money for his participation, but rather than take the money, Khan filed a lawsuit.

Related: Types of Personal Injury Cases: Do You Have a Claim? 

Handman Files Emotional Distress Lawsuit

Khan filed a lawsuit in Long Beach Superior Court that alleges that he was put into a state of panic by the prank. He is seeking damages for emotional distress, worry, anxiety, and possible harm to his business reputation.

The lawsuit states, “In the span of just minutes, he had been threatened with being beaten up, told he botched the repair job, accused of murdering a pony, had his car taken without his permission, and was now being told that he would be arrested for possession of illicit narcotics.”

“He has been badly shaken and traumatized by this episode,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit claims that Khan has suffered lack of sleep, anxiety, and emotional distress. It is not clear what damages the lawsuit seeks.

Related: 6 of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About Personal Injury 

Can You Sue for Emotional Distress?

The lawsuit is filed in California and will abide by California law. California allows victims to sue for infliction of emotional distress (IIED).

In Florida, a victim could file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court to sue for emotional distress. While it can be more difficult to prove emotional injury than physical injury, victims can seek damages if the negligence of another party led to their suffering.

To win a case for emotional distress, the victim would need to prove fault for a personal injury case. The plaintiff would need to prove two things.

• The defendant created a situation that led to emotional distress. The defendant intentionally created the situation or created the situation due to negligence.
• The emotional distress led to damages. The distress led to compensation damages (such as the cost for medical bills, loss of earnings, etc.) and/or general compensatory damages, also known as “pain and suffering” compensation.

In Khan’s situation, he may have a case if he can prove that the prank led to emotional distress which needed to be treated by medical doctors or led to the loss of income. He may also be able to show that he lost business due to damage to his business reputation.

Khan and Knoxville could settle the case out of court, or the case will continue to wind its way through the legal system.

Related: Want to Sue for Personal Injury? Take These 4 Steps  

Fight for Your Rights

If you experience harm due to the negligence or maliciousness of another person, you deserve to be made whole. Whether the harm is physical or emotional, you can fight to get to what is owed to you.

Talk to a personal injury attorney about your options for collecting damages to recover from financial, physical, or emotional harm that was caused to you or your business.

To get answers to any of your personal injury questions, talk to TJ Grimaldi. TJ is an experienced personal attorney offering free consultations to discuss personal injury cases. Talk to TJ today about your case. Request your appointment or call 813-226-1023 now.

For six weeks, the country watched as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard fought their way through their side of two defamation lawsuits. The former couple sued each other for millions of dollars, and millions of people watched the trial and verdict unfold on live television.

Now that the verdict has been announced, where does the story go from here?

What Was at Stake?

The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation case was the result of a very public and very tumultuous relationship and break-up. Depp and Heard were often in the public eye as the media reported on their turbulent relationship. Once the couple officially split, they both pointed the finger at the other for the negative media reports.

Depp sued Heard for $50 million dollars in a defamation suit. 

In 2018, Heard wrote an editorial for The Washington Post indicating that she was a survivor of domestic violence. Due to the public nature of their relationship, many assumed the article was about Depp, although he was never named in the article. Depp says the story led him to being shunned in Hollywood and removed from movie projects.

Heard countersued Depp for $100 million dollars. 

Heard filed a countersuit against Depp, claiming that false statements made by his legal team had led her to also be denied work in the movie industry. Heard alleged that Depp’s former attorney, Adam Waldman, made three statements about her to The Daily Mail in 2020 that were untrue. In the statements, Waldman told The Daily Mail that Heard’s allegations of abuse were a “hoax.”

To win their defamation cases, Depp and Heard needed to prove three things.

1. The statements made about them were false.
2. The false statements led to damages.
3. The statements were made as an act of malice.

It took seven jurors three days and 13 hours to submit a verdict in the case.

Related: What’s the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case? 

What Was the Verdict?

In a recent post on this blog, we outlined the possible outcomes for the Depp/Heard verdict. But, the ending was something unexpected.

Both parties won a portion of their claims.

Depp was awarded $10.4 million.

The jury unanimously found that Heard could not prove the allegations she made against Depp and that Heard knew her claims were false when she published the essay in The Washington Post. The jury also determined that Heard acted with malice.

While the jury sided with Depp, they did not award him the full $50 million in damages. They awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The judge later decreased the amount of punitive damages to $350,000 to meet the state’s statutory cap.

Heard was awarded $2 million. 

The jury also unanimously found that Depp was guilty of defaming Heard on one account. Depp was held liable for the actions of his attorney. The jury decided Waldman’s statements were false and made with malice. The jury awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages and $0 in punitive damages.

The verdict in the case is very different from the outcome of a 2020 defamation case that Depp filed against The Sun, a tabloid magazine in the United Kingdom. In that case, a judge found The Sun’s statements calling Depp a “wife beater” to be “substantially true.” Depp failed to receive any damages in the case.

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

What Happens Next?

The judge has ordered the parties to come back on June 24, 2022, to enter the judgment. Once the judgment is filed, each party will have 30 days to let the other side know if they plan to file an appeal. From that time, the party must file the appeal paperwork within 30 days.

Heard’s Next Moves

Heard’s team has already vowed to appeal the verdict. They have made suggestions of possible grounds for appeal. Heard’s legal team may file an appeal and argue the court’s decisions to:

• Keep some of Heard’s medical records and correspondence from medical professionals out of evidence during the trial.
• Litigate the case in Virginia instead of California where both Depp and Heard reside.
• Allow the trial to be televised and not require a sequestered jury.

Heard’s team is not limited to these options and may include different reasons in their official appeal.

Depp’s Next Moves 

At this time, it doesn’t appear that Depp’s team is planning an appeal. If Heard files an appeal, she would still need to post an appeal bond. Deep’s team can begin to seek money from Heard as soon as 22 days after the judgment is filed.

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

Work with Attorneys You Can Trust

When dealing with legal matters large or small, you must have an attorney you can trust. Always work with an experienced lawyer who can guide your case to the best possible outcome and who can share all of your possible options with you throughout your case.

Related: Find The Best Legal Representation by Asking This One Question

If you need legal support in either a civil or criminal matter, TJ Grimaldi is here to help. Get a free assessment of your case with TJ. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

Nicole and Alexis Oulson

To honor the life and legacy of Chad Oulson, a group of his family and friends launched the Oulson Family Foundation to offer support to children impacted by gun violence.

About The Oulson Family

On January 13, 2014, Chad Oulson was killed in a senseless act of gun violence. While on a mid-day movie date with his wife Nicole Oulson, Chad Oulson was involved in a confrontation with a man sitting in the row behind him. The confrontation ended with Chad Oulson being shot and killed.

Before the movie had even started, Nicole Oulson lost her husband and the father of her 22-month-old daughter, Alexis.

“In the blink of an eye, our lives were shattered beyond belief. I lost my husband, the love of my life, my rock, my everything. Our family lost a son, brother, uncle, and friend,” said Nicole Oulson.

Chad Oulson’s family sought justice through the legal system. For eight long years, the case dragged through the court system. Then on February 25, 2022, the family received more devastating news. A jury of six found the shooter not guilty of the murder of Chad Oulson.

“After eight long years of maneuvering through the judicial system, another unbelievable blow was delivered with a not guilty verdict. Again, my family was devastated,” said Nicole Oulson.

But, the family was not going to let the ruling stand between them and honoring the life and legacy of Chad Oulson.

In May 2022, Chad’s friends and family created the Oulson Family Foundation.

Related: TJ Grimaldi Shares Reaction to “Wrong” Not Guilty Verdict in Reeves Murder Trial

About The Oulson Family Foundation

The Oulson Family Foundation is a non-profit with a mission to provide financial support to children impacted by gun violence.

Nicole Oulson knows what families go through in the wake of gun violence, and she wanted to do something to offer support to families going through tragedies of their own.

“As a single mother of a young daughter, I know firsthand the financial, physical, and emotional toll that comes from gun violence. The pain is unimaginable, and the loss is something you can never plan for,” said Nicole Oulson. “After receiving an abundance of encouragement and support from people worldwide, I knew I needed to do my part.”

“The Oulson Family Foundation will strive to help other families that have children directly or indirectly impacted by gun violence.”

Nicole, Chad and Alexis Oulson

The Oulson Family Foundation will provide funds to help kids get what they need in the wake of being directly or indirectly impacted by gun violence.

Caretakers of children affected by gun violence can receive funds to provide financial assistance for medical bills, counseling, and education. The goal is to help families and children get what they need to heal and create a brighter future.

“They say it takes a village to raise our children. We are reaching out a hand to others to offer hope, support, and comfort during these unimaginable times,” says Nicole Oulson.

A Commitment of Support from TJ Grimaldi

For more than eight years, TJ Grimaldi stood by the family of Chad Oulson as they sought justice.

Grimaldi represented Nicole Oulson in civil matters and offered legal support throughout the criminal trial, which was litigated by state prosecutors. From the start, Grimaldi has been committed to fighting for Chad Oulson and his family, and he remains committed to that mission.

When the criminal court was unable to provide legal justice, Grimaldi sought another way to help honor the legacy of Chad Oulson, and he helped launch the Oulson Family Foundation. Grimaldi will sit on the board and work alongside Nicole Oulson and others to raise awareness and funds for families impacted by gun violence.

“It’s been my honor to represent the Oulson family, and now I’m glad I’m able to help honor Chad’s life in another way,” says Grimaldi.

“What happened to Nicole and Alexis was a terrible tragedy. I’ve seen how difficult it has been for them, and I hope the Oulson Family Foundation can help ease that burden, even just a little bit, for other families who have to endure something similar.”

How to Get Involved with the Oulson Family Foundation

If you would like to support the Oulson Family Foundation and help offer assistance to children impacted by gun violence, you can help too.

Please visit oulsonfamilyfoundation.com to learn more about the foundation’s mission and to make a donation. Your participation will offer kids a chance to heal and grow through financial assistance for medical bills, counseling, and education. Learn more and donate today.

If you or someone you know has a family impacted by gun violence, please visit the website to learn more about how you can apply for aid through the Oulson Family Foundation.

Gone But Not Forgotten #28