Murphy & Downs Law Offices, P.A.

05/15/2026

Police officers do NOT have to call a supervisor just because you ask them to, and “the guy on YouTube said…” isn’t a legal defense in court.

05/11/2026

We’re thrilled that Jason has made the short list of Best in Brevard for criminal defense attorneys. Feel free to vote and remember, you can vote once per day until voting closes 5/25!

04/29/2026

If you were arrested, what's the first thing your friends would think it was for?

If any of them guess correctly, bring them along to your consultation and we'll give them a free t-shirt.

04/14/2026

When hiring an attorney, always check real reviews from real clients.

04/05/2026

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

03/24/2026

More proof, more pudding. When hiring an attorney, always check for real reviews from real clients!

03/23/2026

Wishing our real boss, Carrie, the happiest of birthdays! Couldn’t do ANYTHING without you! Happy Birthday!! 😘🎉🎂🥳

03/17/2026

Sláinte! Wishing everyone a safe and memorable St. Patrick's Day. Celebrate responsibly!

02/06/2026

Here's a question we get a lot: Can a convicted felon live in a house where another occupant owns guns? The answer is yes, but with conditions. The possession of a firearm or ammo by a convicted felon is a second-degree felony. If the felon knows of the gun/ammo's whereabouts, knows they should not be in their possession, AND can exercise "dominion and control" over the items, they are "in possession." In order for a convicted felon to live in a house where another occupant owns guns or ammo, the felon must not have access to them. If it's someone who shares a room with the felon, the items must be kept in a lockbox or safe and the felon must not have the code/key to access the items. If it's a roommate, those items should stay in the roommate's room and the door should have a keyed lock on the door so the roommate can secure the items when they are not in the room with them. Either of those would be enough of a safeguard to ensure the felon does not have access, and therefore, cannot be in possession of the items.

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01/29/2026

The "Raynor Act" (HB 17/SB 156) is up for vote in the Florida legislature today. This is a HORRIBLE law that will eliminate Fla. Stat. 776.051(2), which currently provides that law enforcement officers are NOT justified in using force when they knowingly act unlawfully, AND will impose MANDATORY LIFE SENTENCES for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer, REGARDLESS OF INTENT OR CIRCUMSTANCES!

776.05(2) is a critical safeguard that upholds the rule of law by ensuring force is not justified when an officer knows the underlying arrest is unlawful. Removing this provision erodes accountability and undermines public safety and confidence.

The mandatory life sentence is equally problematic. Manslaughter, by definition, involves UNINTENDED deaths. Treating accidental conduct the same as premeditated murder is disproportionate and unsound public policy.

This legislation is a knee-jerk reaction to a single instance of prosecutorial error in a single case, not a principled change to Florida law.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE HB17 and SB 156.

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