Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

I started work at a convenience store 2 weeks ago. Tonight, a 6ft tall man with a beard came in and started talking to use at the counter and then purchased beer. He looked to be 30 but turned out to be a minor. I check everyone normally but his conversation caught me off guard and his appearance was that of an older person. He walks out and ATF walks in and charges me. I believe they paid him to go in and they are using him for sting operations. I do not sell to minors but feel I was entraped. The ATF saidif I go down and dont plead guilty but plead innocent , they can put me in jail. I DID sell to a minor but it wasnt intentional. The man looked older. After a year of unemployment, I will lose my job.


Asked on 9/09/09, 11:47 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Gordon Fenderson Fenderson Law Firm

If there are any questions you have or would like representation please contact my office.

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Answered on 9/10/09, 12:52 am
Don Waggoner Don Waggoner Law, P.A.

You need to consult an attorney on this ASAP.

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Answered on 9/10/09, 7:27 am
Thomas Rosenblum Rosenblum Law Offices

Hello:

I have handled many of cases involving this charge. You can fight it if you want. You can enter a plea if you want. The State and the Court do not get that worked up over this offense. They would probably offer you a plea bargain of simply having to pay court costs. I'm not saying you should just throw in the towel and plead to the charge, just advising you on the possible sentence.

Don't pay any attention to what the officers told you. First of all, once a case is brought into Court, we are allowed to plead NOT guilty and ask the court to pass the case for a pre-trial (status conference) a few weeks away. We can come back and pass it again, telling the Judge we are still negotiating with the State or investigating the case. If there is no plea bargain after a few months, the Court will set the case for a trial to get the parties moving one way or the other.

If my office can be of any assistance in this matter, please give us a call. Tom Rosenblum

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Answered on 9/10/09, 10:38 am


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