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

Coronavirus Quarantines Lead To Spike In Fentanyl Use And Prosecutions

by chrisclemence | Nov 19, 2020 | Drug Charges

Florida officials made several arrests last week that were the result of an 18-month investigation into what authorities say is a large network dedicated to spreading the deadly drug. Authorities say the widespread network is based in Walton county, and it first came to their attention last spring. Walton County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's Panama City Resident Office Task Force began investigating the area couple last May, as they believed they operated a methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation in Freeport....

Jury Trials Resume In Florida, But Not Without Challenges

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 29, 2020 | Criminal Law

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?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 28, 2020 | White Collar Crimes

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

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 26, 2020 | Criminal Law

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

by chrisclemence | Oct 21, 2020 | Drug Charges

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...

OFAC Designates Syrian Business Network Supporting Assad Regime

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 8, 2020 | OFAC

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

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 7, 2020 | Dui

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

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 6, 2020 | Government Fraud

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...

Are government agencies now buying incriminating evidence?

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 3, 2020 | Criminal Charges

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects each of us against unreasonable search and seizure by law enforcement. Most of the time, this means that police and other agencies need to obtain a warrant before invading our privacy and conducting searches of our property. Unfortunately, in the age of big data held by private corporations, our Fourth Amendment protections are constantly under attack. In recent years, several federal agencies have decided to bypass the need to obtain warrants from a judge by buying bulk data collected by private companies. Some of the most valuable data...

OFAC Sanctions Several Entities And Individuals For Alleged Involvement In Iran Nuke Program

On Behalf of Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group | Oct 1, 2020 | OFAC

The federal government announced sanctions last week against several different individuals and organizations linked to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the move is another step in adding pressure to the country to eliminate its nuclear weapons program, which is also targeted for sanctions by the United Nations. Last week's designations include three Deputy Directors of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and several of its subsidiaries. Also sanctioned were firms supplying...