Toscano Law Group was hired by a client to review his plea in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia.
In taking responsiblity for the the mistakes he made, the client received a sentence well below federal guidelines. Defense attorney Diane Toscano, said, “Many of Dr. Bugarin’s clients served as a witness to his character as part of today’s sentencing. I believe their strong personal statements – that Dr. Bugarin cared deeply for his clients – were compelling and had an impact on the judge’s decision.”
The Virginian-Pilot covered the story. The client had already been charged and plead guilty to one count of distribution of amphetamine when Toscano Law Group was hired by him to review the plea and hanldle his sentencing. The newspaper reported:
"Defense attorney Diane Toscano asked that her client be placed on home confinement. She wrote in a position paper to the court that the doctor, who grew up in poverty in the Philippines and went to medical school there, didn’t realize what he was doing was illegal.
'Much of the (evidence) in this case was from times that Dr. Bugarin traveled out of state for health reasons or to visit family,' Toscano wrote.
'During those times of travel, Dr. Bugarin would leave presigned prescription pads at his office that his staff would use to give to patients who needed prescriptions. Dr. Bugarin now realizes how reckless of an act this was. At the time, he thought he was helping his patients by not making them wait to receive a prescription if needed.'
The sentence the doctor received was significantly below the six years prosecutors had requested. Toscano said she believed statements provided by former patients describing Bugarin as a deeply caring doctor had an impact on the judge’s decision."
Contact Toscano Law Group today for a consulation to speak with a criminal lawyer.
