Florida Licensed Lawyers and Drug Abuse

Florida’s legal profession is wondering how to handle its own drug addicts.  In an article from the Tampa Bay Times, they describe two Pinellas County lawyers facing drug trafficking charges and abusing drugs themselves.

A criminal defense lawyer was secretly recorded when a woman offered to hand him a bottle of  250 oxycodone and other pills to pay off a legal bill. He agreed to take them and he and his wife were arrested shortly afterward. Another lawyer was willing to smuggle prescription pills to his client in the Pinellas County Jail, as long as he would be paid for it later and be able to keep some of the pills himself.

Should these lawyers be put into treatment or kicked out of practicing law?

The Florida legal community works to rehabilitate its members who develop addictions to alcohol or drugs. With treatment and supervision, troubled lawyers can return to work. But addicted or not, breaking the law is the problem. In addition to the possibility of getting disbarred, both of these men face prison time.

The phrase — no client harm — is a key point for the Bar. The legal system is based on “trust that the lawyer is looking out for a client’s best interest,” said Ken Marvin, director of lawyer regulation for the Florida Bar.

Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, represents those seeking admittance to The Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both Investigative Hearings and Formal Hearings in front of The Florida Bar. Please call (888) 760-6552 or visit: www.floridabarhearing.com.