TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Longwood divorce attorney Barrett Paul Burnette faces suspension following an Aug. 30 Florida Supreme Court order and his conviction of multiple felonies and misdemeanor crimes, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Burnette was adjudicated guilty of two third-degree felonies and two misdemeanors related to throwing a flagpole into a residence and damaging a truck and a SUV," the state bar said in its Sept. 26 announcement of the discipline and the court's order. "In a related case Burnette was adjudicated guilty of aggravated stalking with credible threat, a third-degree felony, and battery, a first degree misdemeanor."
In both convictions, Burnette, 46, was sentenced to two years of community control and two years of probation, according to the state bar's announcement.
"After release from jail, he is to enter an inpatient treatment facility for at least 30 days," the announcement said.
In its two-page order, the state Supreme Court indefinitely suspended Burnett and ordered the appointment of a referee in the matter. Burnett's suspension will be effective 30 days from the date of the court's order to allow him time to close his practice and protect his existing clients' interests, according to the high court's order. Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion does not alter the effective date of Burnette's suspension.
Burnette was admitted to the bar in Florida on Oct. 6, 1999, according to his profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline is listed on his profile.
Burnette's convictions stemmed from what local news outlets called "a rampage" at the Mount Dora home of Burnett's ex-girlfriend in August 2018. The pair broke up the previous month after Burnette beat her, according to the news reports, which cited an arrest affidavit.
On Aug. 7, 2018, Burnette, then 45, allegedly damaged two vehicles and tossed a flagpole through the front window of the woman's home. He reportedly fled the scene before law enforcement arrived but he was picked up shortly after in Eustis.
Burnette entered a guilty plea in July, according to a notice of judgment of guilt. He was held for six days in August in Lake County Jail following his sentencing.