Appealing to a Higher Power.

Fortunately, in Florida and throughout the country when you are pronounced guilty of a crime you have the right to appeal the decision.  Please understand that an appeal is not considered to be a brand new trial, but rather an opportunity to have a higher court consider the original decision to be sure that it was fair and accurate.

If you think that appellate judges receive new evidence, you would be wrong!  They only consider the decision of the trial court.  Here is the challenge of the appellate process.  You need someone to effectively frame appealable issues which necessitates decades of experience and substantial knowledge of complex legal issues.

An effective appeal begins with an experienced appellate lawyer.  In Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett, you will find a combined half-century plus of that very experience.  They have dealt with Florida appellate courts and know how to navigate them.  Please make an appointment at their St. Petersburg office by calling (727) 821-8000.

Please Divert your Attention for a Moment.

No, don’t divert it from these next three paragraphs.  We want to tell you something that you may need to know.  Are you, or someone you love a first-time offender?  Please take note…there could be a program that keeps you free from incarceration as well as providing counseling to help you or that loved one overcome obstacles and move forward with your hopes and dreams to lead a productive life.

Upon successfully completing the program, the court will then dismiss the charges, so there is no record of a conviction!  Here are some of the areas that are covered.  A second degree felony, many violent crimes, driving with an invalid license, eluding arrest, participating in organized crime, and even the dreaded DUI charge.

Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett know all about Florida’s Diversion Programs (that is what they are called).  They will help you navigate successfully through the system with their combined 50+ years of practicing Florida criminal law.  Call their St. Petersburg office for a consultation as soon as you can at (727) 821-8000.

DUI Manslaughter…The Worst Kind.

Instances of drunk driving usually increase during the summer months.  Sometimes a DUI charge can turn into much more than that.  A car accident that results in death is devastating beyond words for everyone involved.  Someone who has never been in violation of the law may be facing the challenge of his or her life.

Trust and believe that in the aftermath of a serious auto accident, law enforcement will scrutinize every single thing that you say and your actions.  Their job is to determine the possible level of your intoxication.  At this point, it is vital that you stay calm and as soon as you are able, seek the best criminal council available.

In Pinellas County, a good call would be to the office of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett of Kidder and Bennett, a St. Petersburg-based criminal law firm.  They have dealt with DUI manslaughter charges many times over a half century + of combined experience.  Don’t hesitate!  For aggressive DUI defense call the law office of Kidder and Bennett at (727) 821-8000.

Abuse of the Young and Old.

Anyone that has been accused of abusing a child or a senior citizen is wrapped in a terrible stigma.  The alleged abuse may not even be true.  Cases such as these can turn into witch hunts as prosecutors take a vigorous approach in pursuing the alleged perpetrator.  Just being accused of child abuse is devastating enough.

The result of a conviction is often a “throw away the key” type of prison sentence.  If sexual battery is deemed to have caused the death of someone under the age of 12 it is considered a capital crime in the State of Florida.  When there is a child custody battle in play, one parent may “trump up” charges against the other with false accusations.

You need a strong team on your side if you are accused of child or elder abuse in the Sunshine State.  That team is a phone call away to the office of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  They have been practicing Florida criminal law for a combined half-century plus.  Call their St. Petersburg office today to discuss your case at (727) 821-8000.

Ahhh…a Fresh Start!

Sometimes that is all we need to turn our life around.  The long-term ramifications of an arrest can follow you for the rest of your life. With all of these online criminal history websites, your personal information is easily available to anybody with an Internet connection.  You might be eligible to have your criminal history sealed permanently!

Even complete expungement may be available to you in the state of Florida.  In some cases involving the arrest, and for certain crimes this may apply.  Some crimes are exempt, even in cases in which adjudication was withheld.  There are, of course, some instances where you must release your criminal history such as U.S. citizenship.

Why not find out for sure?  It can certainly alter the course of the rest of your life.  Contact Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett at the law office of Kidder and Bennett located in St. Petersburg.  They are criminal expungement attorneys who know the law inside and out.  Arrange a visit at their office by calling (727) 821-8000 today.

When a DUI has Devastating Consequences.

Having a DUI on your record is devastating enough in the state of Florida.  When that DUI results in death, incarceration, fines, and a loss of license may follow.  It is almost unthinkable to imagine a loved one caught in the middle of this, but it happens every day somewhere in the Sunshine State.

If you or a loved one are ever convicted for DUI manslaughter or vehicular homicide it will probably result in a stiff penalty that can include up to 15 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.  Those numbers are sobering!  And please, don’t ever, ever leave the scene of a DUI accident.  When you are caught, the penalties will increase dramatically.

After any DUI accident, the authorities are carefully analyzing everything you say and do.  You must be represented by a St. Petersburg and Pinellas County DUI attorney who has dealt with the most severe levels of this charge.  The team of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett bring over 50 years of combined experience to your DUI case.  Call the office of Kidder and Bennett immediately at  (727) 821-8000.

White Collar Crime is not always Black and White.

If someone is accused of robbing a store with a gun it sort of speaks for itself.  Accusation of committing what has become known as a “white collar” crime can involve a variety of different instances.  A strong and experienced defense is probably needed to defend one against such a charge in the state of Florida.

Some types of white collar crime include -

1.  The double-edged sword that is the internet.

2.  Passing bad checks…severity depends on the amount.

3.  Taking advantage of what is supposed to be a charity.

4.  Identity theft…this one continues to grow in America.

If you or a loved one has been accused and detained for these types of crimes, you turn to the white collar crime criminal defense team of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  They have seen and defended just about all types of criminal accusations in Pinellas County for a combined 50+ years.  Please give the office a call today at (727) 821-8000.

The War on Drugs Heats Up.

President Trump has made it a priority…get opioids out of the hands of people using them for profit NOT pain.  It truly has become a national epidemic.  It may affect someone you love or even you.  Being arrested for trafficking opioids is no minor detail.  You will be prosecuted vigorously!

Here is one major problem; the sentences are way to harsh compared to the crime that was allegedly committed.  The government can and will seize your car, your boat, your home, etc.  Even if the drug has been prescribed it is not necessarily safe for everyone.  Even the most innocent among us are familiar with Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Adderall, and many others.

Get serious if you or a loved one is detained for the distribution of opioids.  Immediately call the law office of Kidder and Bennett.  They will bring a combined half century of experience to your case.  They are Pinellas County’s drug defense law team.  Come in for a consultation at their St. Petersburg office by calling (727) 821-8000. 

Why Hire a Former Prosecutor?

Why would you hire a defense attorney who has argued for the other side?  For one reason, trial skills and plenty of experience are the backbones of what it takes to be a great criminal attorney.  If you find a law firm and one or more individuals who have taken a trial to a verdict representing the prosecution, then you have experience on “both sides of the aisle”.

You can benefit tremendously from that real world criminal trial experience.  What matters now is that they are focused on you and ONLY you in defending your rights as a criminal defense attorney.  When the prosecution is missing evidence or witnesses, and your attorney knows the chain of command for receiving plea offers, etc…advantage YOU!

Just such a law firm is Kidder and Bennett.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett are criminal defense attorneys in Pinellas County who know what it is like to argue for the prosecution.  They will bring that expertise to court on behalf of you or a loved one.  Arrange a consultation at their office located at 275 96th Ave. North in St. Petersburg by calling (727) 821-8000.

Have a Safe and Free Holiday Season.

During this time of year, we gather together with family and friends to celebrate 2017 and look forward to a safe and free 2018.  Sometimes that word free takes on multiple meanings.  For some, it means freedom to move about safely and securely.  On occasion, people are falsely accused of crimes.

This is a stressful and life-altering event in the life of you or a loved one.  We at Kidder and Bennett do not EVER want that to be the case in your inner-circle.  This should be a time of carefree celebration.  The families who comprise our office will be celebrating with loved ones and we hope that is the case with you and yours.

Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett have celebrated decades together helping citizens of Pinellas County and the surrounding area to obtain aggressive defense when facing criminal charges.  We hope that you will not need our services in 2018, but if you do, please take a minute and visit our website at kidderbennet.com.  Once again, Happy Holidays to one and all.

Stay Away from Synthetics.

In this case when we refer to synthetics we are talking about drugs.  What is a synthetic drug?  It is defined as a drug with properties and effects similar to a known hallucinogen or narcotic but having a slightly altered chemical structure.  Just because some have looked the other way, these drugs are potentially dangerous and definitely illegal in the state of Florida.

Here is a fact of which you should be aware.  Buying, selling or smoking synthetic marijuana is NO LONGER LEGAL.  Possession of synthetic drugs, including K2, spice, or other synthetic drugs is classified as a First Degree Misdemeanor in Florida if under 3 grams.  Remember that and proceed accordingly!

IF you are arrested on a charge of using or distributing synthetic drugs in Pinellas County you have a strong law firm that you can count on.  Rely on the combined 50 years of experience of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett at the St. Petersburg office of Kidder and Bennett attorneys at law.  Don’t hesitate!  Call this number immediately (727) 821-8000.  

Grand Theft in Florida.

Not just theft, mind you, but grand theft needs to be defined if you or a loved one has been accused in the Sunshine State.  Under Florida law, Grand Theft is any intentional and unlawful taking of property valued at $300.00 or more.  That does not sound like an enormous amount of money, but it is very serious.

Grand theft is a felony offense, with penalties that may include prison, probation, fines, restitution, and a permanent criminal record.  That permanent part will follow you around for the rest of your life.  Here is the thing…there are certain circumstances that may reduce this charge and you NEED to know them.

If you or a loved one faces a charge like this you need to immediately call the Kidder and Bennett law firm.  Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Kidder and Bennett is a Florida grand theft defense attorney law firm.  You don’t mess around with a charge like this!  Seek aggressive defense from Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett by calling (727) 821-8000.

Help is Truly on the Way.

Children and the elderly are easy targets for predators.  Even well-meaning care givers make unintentional mistakes that lead to injury or worse to a loved one.  Children may be treated harshly at a daycare center.  And mom may not get the proper attention at an elderly care facility in Florida.

This door swings in both directions.  You may have been entrusted to care for a child or a senior citizen and inadvertently caused harm to come to them.  Those charges could be completely erroneous and you were only trying to do the right thing.  You may have even thought that you were dealing with a competent adult when, in fact it was someone suffering from dementia.

These accusations can alter your life for many years to come.  If you have been charged with abusing a child or a senior citizen take action immediately!  Call St. Petersburg elderly and child abuse attorneys Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  They will put their half-century of combined experience toward your aggressive defense.  Call today (727) 821-8000.

Appealing to a Higher Court.

Remember, you did this when you were a kid.  When mom said no you asked dad.  Well, the stakes are much higher now.  If you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime you may have the right to appeal to a higher court.  The appellate process allows you to have your case reviewed by a higher court when a lawyer or judge has made a legal error.

This takes a very experienced and aggressive attorney to argue on your behalf.  The appellate judge will NOT receive new information.  They will, however, carefully consider the record of the trial in which you were convicted.  We hear about it all the time.  An unjust criminal conviction alters lives!

This is where the experienced, aggressive council comes in.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett have a combined half-century of experience arguing in these proceedings.  Kidder and Bennett are experienced appellate attorneys in St. Petersburg Florida and throughout the state.  Don’t accept your fate!  Call the law firm of Kidder and Bennett at (727) 821-8000.

DUI and Summer.

It is just a fact of life…summer time brings about more leisure and impaired driving.  The livin’ is easy, but the consequences are harsh!  If a DUI arrest happens to you or a family member it is a devastating and potentially life-altering experience.  Your family’s entire future is about to be put on the line and you need to fight back.

In the state of Florida if your Breathalyzer test reads 0.08 or higher you are considered to be intoxicated.  When you hire the right DUI defense team they will know what to look for.  Is the Breathalyzer machine properly calibrated?  Did the field officer conduct the test properly?  Then there are other factors that need to be checked for flaws.

Suffice to say, this is a turning point in your life or that of a loved one.  May we suggest the combined half-century of experience offered by Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett?  Kidder and Bennett is your Pinellas County DUI defense law firm.  There is no time to procrastinate!  Visit www.kidderbennett.com then call (727) 821-8000 for a free consultation.

Defense Against Vehicular Homicide.

There is nothing humorous about this at all.  It’s summer in Tampa/St. Pete.  People are out driving and some of them are under the influence.  If you or a loved one have been charged with vehicular homicide your future freedom is at stake.  You cannot take this lightly in any way, shape, or form!

The penalties for a conviction are extremely severe.  They include up to 15 years of imprisonment and a 10,000 dollar fine.  If you or someone you care about actually left the scene of an accident in which a person was killed now the charges accelerate up to a first degree felony and 30 years in prison.

You cannot weasel your way out of this one!  Strong, aggressive representation is necessary.  With a combined half-century of experience, Nat Kidder and Bill Bennet are Pinellas County’s vehicular homicide defense attorneys.  They are the right attorneys to call at a time like this.  Make an appointment at their St. Petersburg office by calling (727) 821-8000.  

The Definition of Appellate Advocacy.

Doesn’t the legal profession have enough terms (many in Latin!) that we simply don’t understand?  What exactly is appellate advocacy?  It is defined as legal representation by an attorney before any state or federal court.  Its history goes back to 1891 when the U.S. Court of Appeals created all of this.

Originally, the circuit courts’ jurisdiction included all matters not exclusively reserved for the district trial courts.  Today, an unsuccessful party in a lawsuit or administrative proceeding may file a timely appeal to an appropriate superior court empowered to review a final decision.  That is YOUR right if things did not go your way the first time!

Now you need to carefully choose the right law office to represent you.  In the St. Petersburg, Florida area that choice may well be Pinellas County appellate advocacy attorneys Nat Kidder and Bill Bennet.  At this critical juncture in your case you can tap in to their combined half-century of experience.  Call them today at (727) 821-8000.

What is Racketeering?

All right, see…you ain’t takin’ me without a fight!  Sometimes we associate racketeering with organized crime or for the older of us…with Al Capone.  It really is as simple as this.  If you have been accused of offering a dishonest service in order to solve a problem that did not previously exist…that is racketeering.

Some examples of this crime include extortion, being accused of loan sharking, money laundering, bribery, or obstruction of justice.  The prosecutor has the option to seize all of the assets of the accused.  This way, an individual or a group cannot move those assets into a “shell” corporation to protect them regardless of the verdict.

Racketeering is complicated and often misunderstood.  When you are caught in the middle of it you need the best legal counsel available.  In St. Petersburg and throughout Florida turn to Kidder and Bennet.  Nat and Bill are experienced Pinellas County racketeering attorneys.  Make that call for a free consultation at (727) 821-8000.

What is D-6 Clearance in the State of Florida?

In this day and age D-6 could refer to a number of things such as airport security or immigration.  In this particular case, it refers to your driver’s license in the State of Florida.  Here is what happens.  If you get a criminal citation or traffic ticket and you fail to appear in court or pay a fine the Sunshine State will issue a D-6 suspension.

Now you must apply for a D-6 form to begin the process of reinstating your Florida driver’s license.  If you think that just saying “Sorry, I will pay the ticket now,” is enough you would be wrong.  This act may actually trigger yet ANOTHER suspension of your driver’s license in the state!  That sounds odd, doesn’t it?

The answer is obvious.  You contact a law firm that has dealt with this issue many dozens of times over the years.  In the St. Petersburg area, you turn to the combined 50 years of experience of Kidder and Bennett.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett have been your Florida driver’s license suspension defense attorneys for many years.  Call them today at (727) 821-8000.

White Collar Crime in Florida.

The very term may sound innocuous.  Believe me, it is not!  Florida prosecutors will pursue a conviction on white collar criminals as aggressively as violent crimes.  You or a loved one may have been caught up in an end-of-the-year scam or embezzlement of some kind.  Whatever the case, if you are in the eye of the storm take this situation VERY seriously.

Here are some examples of white collar crime -

1.  Corporate fraud.  Someone may have “cooked the books” at the end of the year.

2.  Forgery.  More difficult these days, but still very prevalent.

3.  Mortgage fraud.  How many upside down homes are there in Florida?

Here are two that are more modern -

4.  Identity theft.  This type of crime is growing with today’s technology.

5.  Internet scams.  Who among us has not seen these?

When you or someone you care about has been accused of a white collar crime, Do NOT panic!  Rely on the combined half-century of expertise of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  From their St. Petersburg office they have handled this type of criminal accusation with amazing success.  Please call today and make an appointment for a free consultation at (727) 821-8000.