Florida Bar v. Weintraub

Florida Bar v. Weintraub, 528 So. 2d 367 (Fla. 1988), involved a similar factual circumstance. There, the attorney pled nolo contendere to a charge of delivery of a half gram of cocaine. Adjudication of guilt was withheld and the attorney was sentenced to probation for thirteen months. The referee recommended a ninety-day suspension followed by a two-year probation period with conditions. In his report, the referee rejected the respondent's argument that he should receive only a private reprimand, stating that a private reprimand was "far too lenient for a knowing and intentional commission of a crime." Id. at 369. The referee there noted that the respondent had taken "no steps to disengage himself from illegal drug activities until after his apprehension" and that a private reprimand "would not serve as much of a deterrent to other members of the bar who are currently engaging in or contemplating engaging in illegal drug activities." Id. The Court approved the referee's report. Id.