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.

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.

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. 

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.

Get to Know the 8th Amendment.

There are certain amendments to the Constitution that most of us know.  The 2nd, the5th, the 19th the 21st, the 22nd, etc.  There are several that even a casual citizen of the United States knows at least partially.  The 8th amendment is a part of the Bill of Rights, but it is not that well known.  It protects a defendant’s right to fair bail.

Bail insures the court that the accused will show up on time for all of their scheduled appearances.  Bail must NEVER be used as a means of punishment!  It is not fair to the accused to set a bail amount that is not commiserate with the charge.  The meaning of that in the late 1700’s is sometimes lost on 21st century America.

The judicial system can set bail at whatever it sees fit.  That is why you need aggressive representation to keep the fee reasonable.  If you are faced with a criminal charge and an upcoming bail hearing immediately contact Kidder and Bennet.  They are the bail bond defense attorneys of Pinellas County.  Call right away 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.

When a DUI Charge Goes Horribly Wrong.

Being charged with a DUI is obviously very serious, but when the charge is DUI manslaughter it truly is a matter of life and death.  In this particular case everyone is devastated…the victim, the families, and the accused.  Even if your criminal record has been spotless up until that point the consequences may result in years of prison time.

Here is what a conviction of DUI manslaughter could entail… fifteen years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.  No life could ever be the same after that!  And you must never, ever leave the scene.  That could result in up to 30 years behind bars.  Everything you see or do in the aftermath of this event will be carefully considered.

Without experienced, sophisticated representation your chances in court are slim and none.  Your attorney must be a veteran of these types of cases.  Just such a background is found in the half-century of combined criminal law experience of Kidder and Bennett.  If you are charged in Pinellas County FL call DUI manslaughter attorneys Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett 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.

DUI Manslaughter Accusations.

There is not much on earth worse than being accused of DUI manslaughter.  When a car accident results in the death of loved ones the guilt of that fact is heavy enough.  Now, someone is held responsible for this tragic accident.  The individual may have a spotless record prior to this event, but this is not a slap-on-the-wrist event…it could be a life-changer.

In the state of Florida penalties for DUI manslaughter or vehicular homicide are severe.  Even first offenders may be facing 15 years of prison time!  If the accused left the crime scene now a conviction could mean 30 years in prison and a first degree felony conviction.  You also may be facing anywhere from a 3 year to a lifetime driver’s license suspension.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for either of these offenses do not hesitate a single minute.  Pick up the phone and call Pinellas County, Florida DUI manslaughter defense attorneys Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  The Kidder and Bennett law firm is located in St. Petersburg.  Call them at (727) 821-8000 and tap into their half century of combined DUI defense experience.

Dealing in Stolen Property.

In the state of Florida, you may be accused of dealing in fencing stolen property.  Even if you purchase, let alone sell stolen goods that have resulted in the rightful owner being deprived of those possessions you could be accused of this crime.  The way that the state looks at it the purchaser creates the incentive to sell the goods so they are prosecuted very aggressively.

There are some specific elements that must be present to convict you of dealing in stolen goods-

1.  The property MUST be considered as actually stolen.

2.  The property must have been received and in the possession of the buyer.

3.  The receiver actually knew they were receiving stolen goods.

4.  There must be intent to deprive the rightful owner of his or her possessions.

Many times an accusation and arrest for this crime is an honest mistake and a true misunderstanding.  Remember, it is not a crime to buy what you KNOW to be a stolen good, then immediately turn it over to the police!  With so many gray areas, you need to contact Kidder and Bennett.  They are experienced stolen property defense lawyers in Pinellas County.  Call immediately at (727) 821-8000. 

Assault and Battery in Florida.

Happy 4th of July from everyone at Kidder and Bennett law firm in St. Petersburg!  Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts for a moment.  The hot, sticky summer weather often brings out the worst in some of Pinellas county’s residents.  Violent crime is more prevalent.  All of a sudden regular law-abiding citizens are pushed to the edge resulting in the accusation of assault and battery.

Assault is defined as a second degree misdemeanor.  It may actually involve a “hands on” act, but it can even be charged against someone who, in the opinion of another is acting in a threatening manner.  Battery is a very serious first degree violation.  This involves the actual touching or striking of another individual with the intent of doing harm.

There are many other variables that complicate the issue.  You must do damage control for yourself, your future, and your loved ones.  You also need to know that the issue is exacerbated if the alleged victim is over 65 years old.  For vigorous defense immediately contact St. Petersburg assault and battery attorneys Kidder and Bennett bringing a combined half-century of experience at (727) 821-8000.

Protect Your Rights in a Domestic Violence Case.

Civil courts are responsible for issuing a response to a petition in a domestic violence matter.  If there is a domestic battery charge the criminal court may become involved and issue a restraining order.  What follows may be an overwhelming ordeal that no individual would ever want to undergo without representation.

Someone that you have trusted has accused you of hurting them or they have hurt you.  Now you not only are concerned about your own future, but that of your children and pets as well.  And on top of that, your finances may be adversely affected.  There are local organizations from whom you may seek immediate help.  The Community Action Stop Abuse and The Haven of RCS are two of them.

Ultimately you will need an attorney to represent you.  Kidder and Bennett law firm is your domestic violence criminal defense attorney in Pinellas County Florida.  No matter on what side of a dispute you may fall you need aggressive representation.  Contact the St. Petersburg FL office of Kidder and Bennet today at (727) 821-8000.