Former Lawyer Accused Of Bringing Cell Phone Into Jail

CLEARWATER, FL — Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives arrested a former St. Petersburg attorney Wednesday after he was accused of bringing a cell phone into a county detention facility, a third-degree felony under state law.

Detectives began their investigation Dec. 11 after detention personnel at the Pinellas County Jail, 14400 49th St. N., Clearwater, notified the sheriff's office.

According to detectives, Douglas Barnard, 54, of 500 1st Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg, told jail personnel that he was an attorney and that he was there to meet a client who was an inmate. Only lawyers and other professional visitors are allowed access to the jail to personally visit inmates. All other inmate visitation is conducted through video visitation. This special privilege with access to the secure areas of the jail is limited.

While checking in at the jail, Barnard provided staff with a Florida Bar card and indicated that he was a licensed Florida attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar.

In keeping with Florida law, Pinellas County Jail policy prohibits any cell phones or other electronic devices in the secure areas of the jail. The policy ensures that inmates do not get access to electronic devices.

Detention officers reminded Barnard about the policy and specifically asked if he had a cell phone. According to detectives, Barnard told staff that he "left it (his cell phone) in the car."

In addition, multiple signs are posted prior to entering the secure areas of the jail stating that cell phone are prohibited and that it is a felony to violate the policy.

Detectives said Barnard was escorted into the secure inmate housing area where he was later seen by a detention deputy using his cell phone. When deputies confronted him, they said he shrugged his shoulders and continued looking at his phone. He also said he intentionally defied the policy because he disagreed with it. Barnard's visit was cut short, and he was escorted out of the building.

After Barnard left, detention staff searched The Florida Bar website and learned that Barnard was not eligible to practice law in Florida because The Florida Bar had deactivated his license. Jail personnel made a note of this in the jail computer system.

According to detectives, on Dec. 12, Barnard returned to the Pinellas County Jail and attempted to meet with the same inmate. Jail personnel told Barnard he was not a licensed attorney and that he would not be permitted to visit the inmate.

During their investigation, detectives learned Barnard had not been hired by the inmate he was attempting to visit. He visited the jail after a mutual friend told him of the inmate's arrest. Barnard offered his unsolicited services directly to the inmate with a "family discount" and offered to arrange a payment plan through a mutual friend, detectives said.

At no time did the inmate or the inmate's family members hire him for legal representation, said detectives.

Detectives said they also learned Barnard called the inmate's mother reassuring her he could practice law even after he was denied entry to the jail on Dec. 12. Detectives verified with The Florida Bar sent Barnard a certified letter on Oct. 30 notifying him of the suspension of his Florida Bar credentials. Barnard signed for the certified letter on Nov. 6.

Court documents show that the Pinellas County Public Defender's office was assigned to represent the inmate on Dec. 17. However, on Dec. 18, knowing that he was ineligible to practice law in Florida, Barnard filed documents indicating he was the lead attorney for the inmate.

On Dec. 20, Barnard appeared in court on behalf of the inmate acting as her lawyer. He admitted in court that deputies had made him aware of "an issue" with his license, and he removed himself from the case. The inmate's case was turned back over to the Public Defender's Office.