Florida Criminal Defense Blog | Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group

What You Need To Know About Controlled Substances In Florida

by Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Apr 27, 2022 | Criminal Law, Drug Charges, Drug Crimes

The system by which drugs are regulated in Florida is based upon classifications put forth by the Federal government that divides those drugs into various levels of severity and potency. What follows is a discussion of those classifications and what you need to know about controlled substance classifications if you should ever find yourself facing drug charges in Florida. Basics Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the Federal government classifies all drugs into five categories, or “schedules,” which are grouped by regulators according to their perceived medical use, addictiveness,...

What constitutes as embezzlement?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Apr 22, 2022 | White Collar Crimes

Embezzlement is a type of fraud or theft that falls under white-collar crime. The United States Department of Justice describes embezzlement as the fraudulent appropriation of property. If you face accusations of embezzlement, there are several elements that a prosecutor must prove to convict you. You had a fiduciary or trusted relationship with a government agency or private organization One of the significant differences between embezzlement and larceny is that you do not steal the property at the time of taking it. For example, if you work for a company and the business entrusts you with...

Can you get arrested for using CBD oil?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Apr 22, 2022 | Drug Charges

Changes to Florida restrictions now make it possible for both the cultivation and consumption of cannabidiol oil and other hemp products. These are a popular method of providing therapeutic relief without the negative psychoactive properties found in marijuana use. There are legal shops set up all over Florida selling CBD with consumers flocking to purchase their products. However, these same individuals find themselves coming into contact with law enforcement and facing potential drug charges. Making the THC threshold So long as a consumer is older than the age of 18 and purchasing CBD...

What You Need To Know About Defenses To Sexual Assault In Florida

by Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Apr 21, 2022 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law

Sexual assault in Florida is a serious crime. While it is important to deter and prosecute such an heinous act, it is equally important to protect those charged with sexual assault from such a punishment if they are innocent and to insure that the defendant who is charged with sexual assault has all the rights guaranteed him or her under the Constitution recognized in court. Following are several common defenses to sexual assault charges in Florida. Innocence The most common defense to sexual assault charges in Florida is that of actual innocence. Frequently this is proven by use of an...

What You Need To Know About Defenses To The Charge Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Florida

by Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Apr 14, 2022 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law

Although the burden of proving intent is lower than it is for murder, Florida law requires the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt several other important elements of the crime of involuntary manslaughter to sustain a conviction. What follows is an examination of those elements and how a Florida criminal defense attorney is likely to go about mounting a defense against the charge of involuntary manslaughter in Florida. Elements Involuntary manslaughter in Florida consists of three elements that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt by the prosecution: The defendant committed an...

What should you know about positive consent?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Apr 5, 2022 | Criminal Law

When you face charges for sex crimes in Florida, you might need to register on the sex offender registry. This could impact your life in a number of ways including your relationships, your career and where you can live. Going forward, you may desire to improve your understanding of positive consent so you can avoid additional charges. In cases where someone wrongly accuses you of violating consent, having an understanding of positive consent could help you articulate your defense. Rely on communication Knowing when your partner desires for you to progress is entirely a matter of...

Criminal Intent: A Primer

by Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Apr 5, 2022 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, Drug Charges, Drug Crimes

A fundamental element in any crime is the mental state of the defendant at the time the crime was committed. The legal term for this is mens rea, which is Latin for “guilty mind.” What follows is an examination of mens rea and what it means for you if you’re facing a criminal charge in Florida. Negligence The term “negligence” has different meanings in the law depending upon whether it is used in a criminal or a civil law setting. Negligence for purposes of civil law is typically understood as carelessness, but some criminal statutes use the mens rea of “reckless negligence,” such as in...

What Are Good Defenses To Voluntary Manslaughter In Florida?

by Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Mar 31, 2022 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law

Voluntary manslaughter is a serious crime in Florida. If you are charged under Florida’s voluntary manslaughter statute, a good defense is critical to increase your chances of a shorter sentence or of an acquittal. What follows is a discussion of several common defenses to voluntary manslaughter in Florida. Accident One defense to voluntary manslaughter is to assert that the defendant’s actions were not in fact voluntary, and that the killing in question was an accident. An element of voluntary manslaughter is that the act that led to the killing of another was done on purpose. Although the...

What makes an investment opportunity a Ponzi scheme?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Mar 30, 2022 | White Collar Crimes

If you save money, you want to invest it in a way that will maximize your returns. Some investment options are too good to be true. Fraudsters promote many scams to take your money. A Ponzi scheme is a well-known type of fraudulent investment. Here are the key characteristics of a Ponzi scheme. Misrepresentation of a business venture In promoting a Ponzi scheme, the seller will tell potential investors about a business venture that does not exist. Promoters misrepresent the possibilities for returns related to some operations. The scammers will usually try to create a credible story about...

What to expect when the IRS audits you

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Mar 23, 2022 | White Collar Crimes

The chance of you having to undergo a tax audit after filing your taxes each year is rare, but there are certain elements of a tax return that may pique the IRS’ attention and cause them to take a second look at your filing. If you do find yourself the subject of a Florida tax audit, it may help calm your nerves if you understand what lies ahead. Per U.S. News and World Report, only about 0.4% of Americans wind up being the subject of audits. However, your chances of having your tax return audited might increase if you fail to disclose some of your income, make administrative errors or fail...