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

What do you know about accidental credit card fraud?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 14, 2021 | White Collar Crimes

You felt shocked when Florida law enforcement accused you of credit card fraud. Maybe you go out of your way to use your card properly. Where did the accusations stem? GOBankingRates explains how consumers commit accidental credit card fraud. Learn where you slipped up in your financial practices as you build your legal defense. Disputing charges you made Depending on your credit card usage, you may not recognize all your charges. If you dispute a charge that you made and forgot about, you could commit fraud. Think twice while reviewing your credit card statements, as some merchants may have...

Scope Out The Facts About Stalking Laws In Florida

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Oct 6, 2021 | Family Law

Stalking is one of the more recent criminal offenses to enter into Florida law. As a result, the elements and punishments for stalking in Florida are not widely know by most Floridians. What follows is what you need to know about stalking in Florida and what you should do if you find yourself charged with the crime. History Due to several high-profile incidents in the state, California was the first American jurisdiction to codify a law against stalking. California’s statute was enacted in 1990, and in three years every other state, including Florida, had anti-stalking laws on its books. On...

How can you defend drug manufacturing charges?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 4, 2021 | Drug Charges

Drug crimes are serious offenses that can have severe legal consequences. If you face manufacturing charges, it is essential to understand the laws, possible penalties, and your rights. What constitutes a drug manufacturing charge in Florida? Manufacturing charges involve preparing, converting, producing or creating any controlled substance in quantities above personal use. Any unlicensed production of restricted drugs is illegal. Cultivating plants, delivering or supplying materials needed for making these substances may also garner manufacturing charges. Intent to manufacture is also...

Are you guilty of bid rigging?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 2, 2021 | White Collar Crimes

It may seem like an innocent enough technique: you coordinate with one or several other bidders for a government job to raise the price of the goods or services and/or to ensure that a chosen company or contractor wins the job. Though the collaboration between you and other bidders means that no one loses or gets hurt, your actions may constitute bid-rigging, which is a form of collusion. According to Justice.gov, bid-rigging occurs when conspiring competitors work together to raise the prices at which purchasers — typically government entities — pay for goods or services. Bid rigging can...

Securities Fraud Laws in Florida: A Primer

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Sep 30, 2021 | White Collar Crimes

Securities fraud in Florida is a major concern of prosecutors across the state. As securities and financial transactions increase in both complexity and frequency, the opportunities for securities fraud increase in Florida. Following is what you need to know about the laws surrounding securities fraud in Florida. Basics In general, the intent of securities laws in Florida are to ensure that tips and advantages enjoyed by those who participate in the various securities markets in the state are fair and above board. Broadly, the intent of securities fraud laws in Florida is to penalize people...

Learn The Facts About The Laws Against Heroin Possession And Trafficking In Florida

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Sep 21, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, Drug Charges, Drug Crimes

Possession and use of heroin is a serious offense in Florida. Each year scores of Floridians are arrested, charged, and imprisoned for possession, trafficking, or selling heroin in Florida. Below is what you need to know if you find yourself charged with a heroin crime in Florida. History Heroin is a product of the opium poppy, which has been cultivated for its mind-altering properties for at least five millennia. Diamorphine was first derived from the morphine in opium poppies in 1874 and again separately several years later by a chemist working for Germany’s pharmaceutical firm Bayer....

How does federal criminal sentencing work?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Sep 16, 2021 | Criminal Charges

If you are facing a criminal conviction in a federal court, you need to understand how the sentencing process works. The law may outline sentencing guidelines, but the judge in your case has some ability to alter them. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, the court will consider various factors when determining your sentence. Basic guidelines The basic sentencing guidelines will depend on the severity of your crime. Serious offenses will have much harsher sentencing suggestions than less serious ones. The judge will get a basic starting point based on severity and then use other...

Get The Details On Racketeering Laws In Florida

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Sep 15, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, White Collar Crimes

Racketeering is receiving money or profit from organized illegal activities, and there are laws in Florida that make it a crime. The laws around racketeering in Florida are complex and can be confusing. Following is what you need to know if you ever find yourself charged with racketeering in Florida. Background “Racketeering” is a term coined by the Employers’ Association of Chicago in the late 1920s to describe a variety of crime they allege was occurring among the Teamsters in the area. In their usage, “racketeering” was a service that causes its own demand and would not have otherwise...

Expose Yourself To Florida’s Laws On Indecent Exposure

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Sep 9, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law

In Florida, exposing one’s own genitals in public is often prosecuted as indecent exposure. The laws surrounding indecent exposure in Florida can be quite complicated and confusing. What follows is a basic overview of Florida’s laws on indecent exposure and what you need to know if you find yourself charged with such a crime in Florida courts. Definition In Florida, indecent exposure generally means the display, exhibition, or exposure of sexual organs in a public place or within public view. Generally in order to obtain a prosecution, the state must prove unlawful intent by the defendant,...

Who has to register as a sexual offender?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Sep 4, 2021 | Criminal Charges

A conviction for a sexual offense can have a serious impact on people's lives. In some situations, people may need to register as sexual offenders. The Florida Legislature says that people have to list themselves on the sexual offender registry if they receive a conviction for certain sexual offenses. Most of these offenses are ones that involve minors. People do not always have to commit a sexual act in order to become part of the registry. Courts may require people to register if they receive a conviction for attempting to commit a sexual offense. What requirements do people have to meet?...