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

How does heroin addiction occur?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Aug 20, 2021 | Drug Charges, Drug Crimes

Heroin is a highly addictive illegal opioid that can cause a wide range of negative effects. Along with legal issues for possession of this substance, users also face a serious chance of overdose if they do not seek help for their substance abuse. While drug addiction can happen to anyone, there are a few occurrences that can increase the risk. Healthline explains a few of the risk factors associated with heroin addiction and abuse. Long-term use of legal opiates for medical conditions People with chronic pain conditions are often prescribed legal opioids as a treatment. Over time, the...

Insurance Fraud In Florida: What You Need To Know

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Aug 16, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, White Collar Crimes

Insurance fraud in Florida is perennially a major concern, and scores of Floridians find themselves charged with insurance fraud in Florida courts. What follows is a brief synopsis of insurance fraud laws in Florida and what you need to know if you find yourself charged with insurance fraud. Basics Insurance fraud in Florida is the act of submitting an insurance claim that is false, exaggerated, or based on a deliberate injury or loss. In general, submitting false or misleading information when making an insurance claim can be grounds for a charge of insurance fraud. Professionals Committing...

When “stand your ground” laws may not protect you

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

Under current Florida law, people no longer have a "duty to retreat" from any situation where their use of deadly force could save their lives or the life of others or prevent serious bodily harm. Florida's "stand your ground" law expanded the "castle doctrine" to include any place where the law permits people to be. These laws protect a person's right to use deadly force if necessary without facing criminal prosecution. The law presumes that the individual acted reasonably and was in fear of losing his life or sustaining severe bodily harm unless the prosecution can prove otherwise....

The Basics Of Florida’s Laws Against Cultivating Or Manufacturing Drugs

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Aug 13, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, Drug Charges, Drug Crimes

Cultivating or manufacturing certain drugs in Florida is illegal, and many Floridians have faced prosecution and serious penalties for possessing even small amounts of an illegal drug. Following is what you need to know if you ever find yourself charged with possessing illegal drugs in Florida. Basics In Florida it is a violation of law to deal in certain drugs. Those illegal drugs, or “controlled substances,” are defined by Florida law and it is illegal to sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver those controlled substances. In addition to the...

Get The Dirt On Money Laundering In Florida

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Aug 4, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, White Collar Crimes

Money laundering in Florida is a serious issue. Due to its position as a prime corridor for illegal drugs, money laundering is a major concern for law enforcement on all levels in Florida. What follows is a brief overview of Florida’s money laundering laws and what you need to know if you find yourself charged with the crime of money laundering in Florida. Basics In broad terms, money laundering is the act of changing the origin of money obtained in the course of a crime into a legal source of funding. The first money laundering laws in America arose in the 1930s during the...

Factors that lead successful people to use drugs

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Aug 3, 2021 | Drug Charges, Drug Crimes

Many misconceptions exist concerning who uses and abuses recreational drugs. One common belief is that most people who engage in problematical drug use belong to a group of underachievers. Much evidence shows that many successful people get into trouble for using illegal and prescription drugs at a dangerous level. Personality traits that lead to drug issues American Addiction Centers suggest that some traits that make people successful can contribute to drug addictions. In fact, a person with a high-profile position in the community sometimes has additional difficulties to contend with;...

Marketing unregistered securities may lead to fraud allegations

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Jul 30, 2021 | Federal Crimes, White Collar Crimes

The Securities Act of 1933 requires companies offering stocks and bonds to register them with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As noted by Investors.gov, the mandated registration process includes disclosing financial information. The law meets the need of enabling investors to make informed decisions. Companies typically submit a registration statement with information about the securities they offer. An accompanying prospectus may describe a company's products, services and properties. Investors may also review management bios and the company's growth strategy before making a...

What Every Floridian Needs To Know About The Laws Of Resisting Arrest

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Jul 29, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law

In Florida, resisting arrest is a charge commonly paired with other criminal charges for many defendants. The laws surrounding resisting arrest in Florida are somewhat nuanced, which means you are well advised to enlist the aid of competent counsel if you ever find yourself charged with resisting arrest in Florida. Basics Although using a certain amount of force to effect an arrest is legal for law enforcement to do in Florida, an arrestee is not generally allowed to respond with force of his or her own. Resisting arrest in Florida comes in two varieties with violence and without violence...

What are defenses against forgery charges?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Jul 23, 2021 | White Collar Crimes

Certain federal and state crimes prohibit a person from imitating a document or something valuable in order to defraud somebody of money or property. These crimes fall under the umbrella of forgery. Forging an item is something that can expose you to charges of fraud and could involve stiff penalties if convicted. You might be afraid that if you reproduce something valuable, the law could come after you. However, to be guilty of forgery requires certain elements of the crime to be present. It is generally not enough to just reproduce an object. Forgery and fraud FindLaw explains that in many...

Florida’s Extortion Laws: A Primer

Brunvand Wise, P.A. | Jul 20, 2021 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Law, White Collar Crimes

Among the more common white collar crimes in Florida is the crime of extortion, which is also known as blackmail. Though it may seem straightforward, there is some nuance to the Florida crime of extortion. Following is a brief synopsis of what you need to know about the crime of extortion in Florida. History The term “blackmail” hearkens back to the practice of what we now know of as a protection racket between the English and Scottish residents and the local Border Reivers (raiders) established in the 13th century. Specifically, the raiders demanded tribute (“male”) in the form of goods and...