Florida Fish and Wildlife Defense Attorney: A Leading Expert Specializing In FWC Cases

The #1 advantage of hiring a specialized Florida Fish and Wildlife Attorney:

As a former Special Prosecutor for Florida Fish and Wildlife violations, Attorney Sando possesses a unique and specialized skill set to defend and analyze Fish and Wildlife cases.

While any attorney can legally represent you, hiring Attorney Sando offers specialized knowledge developed from his time spent as a former prosecutor handling Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (“FWC”) violations. Attorney Sando was named as FWC’s Prosecutor Of The Year after demonstrating a unique and in-depth understanding of handling FWC cases. He was separately named Prosecutor of the Year by the North Palm Coastal Conservation Association. As a two-time award recipient and now on the defense side, that type of recognition and experience can mean the difference in a client’s future.

As your lawyer, Attorney Sando is extremely familiar with FWC rules, regulations, and procedures. He will uniquely protect your rights and is capable of handling any fish and wildlife case to meet the needs of his clients.

5 considerations when facing a Florida FWC violation:

1. Most people, and even other attorneys, do not understand that the enforcement of FWC’s rules, regulations, or state laws can be very different from prosecuting or defending other common criminal actions. Although they share many of the same punishments, such as fines, probation, or even jail time, penalties specific to FWC violations have unique penalty enhancements and can include suspension or revocation of fishing or hunting privileges, licenses, and even the forfeiture of guns, rods, gear, etc.
2. FWC violations can “stack,” meaning that depending on the amount of time between a current and prior offense, enhanced penalties may apply.
3. A Notice to Appear, ticket, or arrest can be made prematurely, unfairly, or even wrongfully based on the language or text of an FWC rule, the measures taken to determine compliance, the training of the officer, and many other factors.
4. The mere nature of the alleged offense and the jurisdiction can both heavily impact the treatment and outcome of potential punishments.
5. “Convictions” for stackable purposes do not necessarily mean you were found “guilty.” A prior conviction can include any judicial disposition other than acquittal or dismissal.

At Sando Law, P.A., the legal knowledge, experience, and foresight are unique and specific to FWC’s rules for unmatched FWC defense.. This equates to stronger and more knowledgeable representation, which may impact the outcome of a fish and wildlife case.

Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is a Unique Practice Area of Law

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (“FWC”) has statutes, rules and laws that cover many different aspects of boating, fishing, and hunting activities such as licensing and permits, species, seasons, methods of taking, bag limits, Wildlife Management areas and South Florida Water Management District properties.

Unique statutes, rules and laws have been created by the FWC, the State of Florida, and even the Federal Government to aide in conversation efforts and govern applicable behavior.:

FWC Departmental Codes

• 40E South Florida Water Management District
• 68A Freshwater Fish and Wildlife
• 68B Marine Fisheries
• 68C Manatees
• 68D Vessel Registration and Boating Safety
• 68E Marine Resources

Florida Statutes

• Title XVIII Public Lands and Property
• Title XIX Public Business
• Title XXIV Vessels
• Title XXVIII Natural Resources; Conservation, Reclamation, and Use
• Title XXIX Public Health
• Title XXXV Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Industry
• Title XL Real and Personal Property

Federal Statutes

• 16 U.S.C. 703-712 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act