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Clearwater Criminal Defense Law Blog

Jury Trials Resume In Florida, But Not Without Challenges

Jury Trials Resume In Florida, But Not Without Challenges

| Oct 29, 2020 |

Jury trials resumed in Florida courts on October 19th after a six-month hiatus due to concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many court functions have been held virtually since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the spring, trials of defendants who requested a jury halted and began stacking up. Since the cessation of jury trials, an estimated 180 cases have languished in limbo due to missing that crucial element. The resumption of jury trials did not come without many changes, however. Prospective jurors will undergo temperature checks, be required to wear facemasks...

What are some possible motivations for white-collar crimes?

| Oct 28, 2020 |

White-collar crimes, which include practices such as money laundering, forgery and business fraud, are common in the corporate world. Forbes reports that the cost of these crimes eclipses $500 billion dollars annually, a staggering amount when compared to other crimes. While white-collar crimes vary in their types, there are often common motivations for each and understanding these triggers may help you protect yourself and your company from these actions. Unclear ethical standards When a company’s mission statement fails to address clear ethical standards, this may lead employees to cut...

Understanding Florida’s domestic violence laws

| Oct 26, 2020 |

Florida law defines domestic violence as any violent action against a spouse or household member. Examples include but are not limited to aggravated assault, aggravated battery, sexual violence, stalking, kidnapping or false imprisonment. Potential legal penalties for a domestic violence conviction vary based on the circumstances of the case. Aggravated assault and battery Domestic violence charged as aggravated assault typically involves a deadly weapon. Florida categorizes this crime as a third-degree felony when the offender attempts to commit aggravated assault. Penalties for conviction...

What You Need To Know About Fentanyl Offenses

What You Need To Know About Fentanyl Offenses

| Oct 21, 2020 |

Florida law is quite strict when it comes to the possession of fentanyl, making a good defense to those charges critical to avoiding a felony conviction and the loss of rights that come with a conviction. Under Florida statute, Trafficking in Fentanyl is the act of knowingly possessing, selling, purchasing, manufacturing, delivering, or transporting 4 grams or more of fentanyl or any derivative compound. If caught with less than four grams of fentanyl, the charge of possession of fentanyl, which is a third-degree felony, is the usual result. If convicted of this, three tiers of mandatory...

Former executive charged with tax evasion

| Oct 13, 2020 |

Federal laws mandate that people report their income to the government every year and pay income taxes as deemed appropriate based on the formulas used in the tax forms and laws. Failure to file an income tax return or to pay mandated income taxes may result in a person being accused of and charged with a federal crime. The penalties for tax evasion or tax fraud may vary based upon the situation of the individual involved. Former executive arrested in Europe According to a report by NPR, a man who founded and once owned a well-known computer software company was recently arrested in Spain...

Wisconsin Pain Clinic To Pay Feds $885,452 To Dismiss Claims Of Illegal Kickbacks

Wisconsin Pain Clinic To Pay Feds $885,452 To Dismiss Claims Of Illegal Kickbacks

| Oct 9, 2020 |

A Wisconsin pain clinic has agreed to pay $885,452 to the federal government in exchange for dropping claims that it violated the False Claims Act by paying illegal kickbacks to obtain referrals for procedures covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Federal prosecutors say the defendant gifted shares of incentive stocks to physicians outside of the company for pain procedures carried out in its pain-management centers. They say the stock could not be sold until the company itself was sold, which itself was tied to the profitability of the firm. As the firm depended largely upon outside referrals,...

OFAC Designates Syrian Business Network Supporting Assad Regime

OFAC Designates Syrian Business Network Supporting Assad Regime

| Oct 8, 2020 |

The federal government last week announced another slate of sanctions against the Assad regime in Syria in an effort at hastening a peaceful resolution to the conflict there. On Wednesday the United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added three more individuals and a baker's dozen entities to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. The additions last week essentially amount to a business network that supplies the Fourth Division of the Syrian Army, which itself is a sanctioned entity as well. According to OFAC, the network is run by a prominent...

Off-Duty Pinellas County Deputy Facing Drunk Driving Charges In Pinellas County

Off-Duty Pinellas County Deputy Facing Drunk Driving Charges In Pinellas County

| Oct 7, 2020 |

A deputy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has been fired and is facing criminal charges on allegations that he was driving drunk last weekend. Pinellas County deputies say the 27-year-old man was driving his personal vehicle while off duty at a high rate of speed on McMullen-Booth Road just before dusk when he came to their attention. Deputies say he appeared intoxicated behind the wheel, as his eyes were glassy and he smelled of alcoholic drink. The defendant was asked to leave the vehicle and perform a field sobriety test, the latter he declined to do. At the scene he was alleged to...

North Carolina Man Charged With Fraud For Allegedly Applying For Over $6 Million In Fraudulent PPP Loans

North Carolina Man Charged With Fraud For Allegedly Applying For Over $6 Million In Fraudulent PPP Loans

| Oct 6, 2020 |

A North Carolina man is facing federal fraud charges after allegedly attempting to obtain more than $6 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Prosecutors say he orchestrated a scheme to submit several fraudulent loans to area banks. They say he used names inspired by a popular book and television series as entities under which he filed for the fraudulent PPP loans. In support of the applications, the defendant allegedly submitted several false statements about the nonexistent entities, including falsehoods about their employee base and salaries. Also allegedly submitted along...

Former Palm Beach Deputy Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Shooting Death Of Son-In-Law

Former Palm Beach Deputy Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Shooting Death Of Son-In-Law

| Oct 5, 2020 |

A retired deputy in Palm Beach has been sentenced to 13 years in prison at the end of his second trial by a Florida judge on charges that he killed his daughter's estranged husband. Prosecutors say the 64-year-old man's daughter and grandchildren were living with him in 2018 when the incident occurred. They say the estranged husband arrived at the home to drop off clothing for his children there when an argument began outside. The defendant allegedly heard the commotion and stepped outside his home with a firearm in hand. With the husband's violent history in mind, the defendant allegedly...

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