Recent Blog Posts
The “Information” vs. The Arrest in Criminal Cases
Many people think the “charges” written on the police report at the time of arrest are the final word. They imagine those charges are etched in stone the moment the handcuffs click shut. They are wrong. In the Florida legal system, the arrest is just the “pilot episode.” What actually matters–the “final cut,” if… Read More »
DNA Transfer vs. Guilt
The majority of jurors are fundamentally misinformed when it comes to the “infallibility” of DNA evidence. We have been conditioned by decades of police procedurals to believe that if a suspect’s genetic profile shows up on a door handle or a victim’s clothing, the case is essentially closed. We treat DNA like a biological… Read More »
Can I Go to Prison for Prescription Pills in Florida?
You didn’t get them from a street corner. You didn’t buy a “bag” or meet someone in a dark parking lot. They’re prescription pills. Maybe pain meds after surgery. Maybe anxiety meds. Maybe something a friend said would “take the edge off.” So the police find them in your car, your bag, your pocket…. Read More »
No Contact Orders and Protective Injunctions: What You Can and Cannot Do After an Assault Arrest
You get arrested on an assault or domestic violence charge in Florida. You bond out. You’re exhausted, confused, and just want to go home, talk it out, and fix things. Then the judge issues one sentence that quietly detonates your “I’ll just handle this myself” plan: “No contact with the alleged victim.” Or worse,… Read More »
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and Diversion: Who Qualifies and How to Complete It Cleanly
The fastest way to beat a criminal case is to make it disappear. In Florida, that’s what Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and diversion can do. It’s not magic. It’s a statute, a prosecutor’s discretion, and your follow‑through. At Drew Fritsch Law Firm, P.A., we turn first-time mistakes into second chances. Our team navigates Florida’s Pretrial… Read More »
“I Forgot to Scan It” Self-Checkout Cases and Theft Crimes
Self-checkout was built for speed. Prosecutors will tell you theft loves speed. If you’re stopped at the exit and told you “missed” items, you’re suddenly in a retail theft case–with video, data, and store security ready to testify that it wasn’t a mistake. Here’s how these cases really work, what the state must prove,… Read More »
“Wet Reckless” Reductions for DUI: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Everyone wants the off‑ramp from a DUI. In Florida, that off‑ramp is often a “wet reckless”–a negotiated plea to reckless driving with alcohol‑related conditions. It’s not a statute; it’s a deal. Done right, it can help you avoid a DUI conviction, cut penalties, and protect your record. Done wrong, you lock yourself into terms… Read More »
Habitual Traffic Offender Status: How It Happens and How to Avoid a 5-Year Revocation
You don’t wake up a habitual traffic offender (HTO). You get there one conviction at a time. And then–without a court hearing–the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) mails you a notice: your license is revoked for five years. That’s not a scare tactic. That’s Florida law. If you already have… Read More »
Refusing a Breath Test in Florida: Is It Better or Worse Than Blowing?
The blue lights flash. You pull over. The officer does the dance: “Where are you coming from? Have you had anything to drink?” Then comes the moment everything now pivots on in Florida: “I need you to blow into this machine.” For years, defense lawyers and drivers wrestled with the same brutal calculation: Blow… Read More »
Jail Calls Are Recorded: How Defendants Accidentally Destroy Their Own Cases
You get booked into jail. You’re scared, angry, confused. You finally get that one phone call. And on the other end of the line is the one person who still feels like home. You want to explain everything: “It’s not what it looks like” and “Here’s what really happened…” This is the moment where… Read More »