Ryan P. Rooth

Stand Your Ground Law in Florida

Florida's Stand Your Ground law was passed by the Florida legislature in 2005 to provide homeowners with protective measures in acting in their own defense. It protects Florida citizens from civil and criminal prosecution when defending against an intrud... Read >

Florida PIP in a Nutshell

If you've lived in Florida for awhile, you have probably heard the term "PIP" especially if you know of anyone who has been in a car accident. Well, what exactly does it mean? Does it mean you don't have to pay any out of pocket if you've been hurt in a... Read >

Florida Auto Accident Litigation

Florida is a no fault state, which means the kinds of personal injury / auto accident cases are limited to those with serious or permanent injuries. Often, the parties settle before trial and rarely do cases make it all the way to a jury. If you are a p... Read >

Your Florida Car Accident Property Damage Claim

If you have been injured in a car accident, you are probably not only dealing with the pain and medical expenses resulting from the car accident but a slew of other problems as well. The other aspect of an auto accident case is property damage to the vehi... Read >

The 411 On Florida No Fault Law

In reality, Florida is not a true No Fault state, although it is commonly referred to as one. In a true No Fault state, no one injured in an auto accident could bring a lawsuit to recover damages because it would be irrelevant that there is a negligent pa... Read >

Penalties for Speeding in a Florida Construction Zone

Commuters in Florida are very dependant on their automobiles. Because Florida does not have many easily accessible public transportation options, commuters rely primarily of their cars to get to work, school, appointments, etc. Getting cited with a traffi... Read >

When Does A "Knock and Talk" Become a Fourth Amendment Violation?

Law enforcement can initiate a "knock and talk" anytime. A knock and talk does not have to involve any probable cause or reasonable suspicion and involves the consent of the citizen involved. However, warrantless searches are considered Fourth Amendment... Read >

Avoiding An Arrest Warrant

Florida county criminal judges may issue a bench warrant or capias for anyone who has violated probation or been charged with a crime. If you or a loved one has been in trouble with the law, here are some helpful tips that can help to avoid having a judg... Read >

Recent Change in Law on Your Right to Remain Silent

You must now clearly assert your right to remain silent in Florida if the police read you the Miranda Rights. A recent U.S. Supreme Court case, Berghuis v. Thompkins, upheld the murder conviction of a defendant who did not verbally assert his right to rem... Read >

Florida Law on Consensual Encounters

Fourth Amendment protections are not unlimited. A consensual encounter, for example, is not considered a stop or a search and therefore, it is not constitutionally prohibited. They usually take place when law enforcement asks a citizen about something th... Read >

Pretrial Intervention (PTI) in Florida: What You Need to Know

Florida Statutes §§ 948.08 and 948.16 govern pretrial intervention programs (PTI). What is PTI? Pretrial intervention are diversion programs that are intended to provide appropriate counseling, education, supervision, and medical and psychological service... Read >

Legal Help on Florida's Boating Under the Influence Charge

Florida's location in the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic Ocean makes boating a year round activity for its citizens and tourists to enjoy. As a result though, Florida leads the country in the number of boating accidents. While statistics are unclear ... Read >

Arizona v. Gant: How It Effects Privacy Rights

On April 21, 2009, the United States Supreme Court held that the police may search a passenger compartment of a car incident to an occupant's arrest only if it is reasonable to believe that the arrestee might access the vehicle at the time of the search o... Read >

Informational Guide for People Charged With a DUI While on Vacation in Florida

Florida is known nation-wide as one of the country's biggest tourist traps. People come from all over the world to meet Mickey Mouse and get a golden tan. However, all too often, while taking in the relaxation of vacation, people do things they otherwise... Read >

Video Evidence Introduced in Court

As the cost of video technology becomes more affordable and the ability to store the video becomes easier, the use of video in court cases has greatly increased. The increased prevalence of video capturing criminal activity has made video a pivotal issue ... Read >