An act of drug possession intended for personal use, distribution, sale, or other activity is considered a criminal act in the State of Florida. The law is strict on drug crimes, and there are severe penalties for those who are caught in possession of drugs.
Even being in possession of a small amount of specific drugs can result in facing penalties, such as receiving hefty fines and spending years in prison. To protect your legal rights after a charge of being in possession of drugs, you must get in contact with a criminal defense attorney.
If you have been caught in possession of illegal drugs or a controlled substance, then you should expect to face harsh punishment. The State of Florida has some of the strictest rules when it comes to drug crimes when compared to any other state in America. Penalties will vary depending on the type of drug and the amount that was found in your possession, but you could possibly face jail time and hefty fines if you are convicted of this drug offense. It is important for you to seek legal counsel as soon as possible, following your drug charge.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to helping clients in Clearwater and across the State of Florida to beat their charges. Our law firm specializes in drug crimes, such as being in possession of illegal street drugs or prescription medication, drug trafficking, manufacturing of drugs, and much more.
If you are searching for the best legal advice for your drug crime, then get in contact with a Clearwater drug attorney from The Law Place today. A criminal defense attorney will be able to discuss the facts of your case, offer you an honest piece of advice on the best move to make, and explain the process to you. Our law firm is committed to helping those who are going through challenging situations, and we will be at your side every step of the way.
Don’t delay. Get in touch with The Law Place today. Call us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your drug possession charges together in Clearwater.
Florida Laws Related to Drug Possession
Drug possession charges refer to an individual who possesses the drug for personal use only and does not intend to sell, distribute, or manufacture the drug in the State of Florida. If an individual is caught in possession of any type of drug (excluding marijuana), then they can be charged with a third-degree felony, according to Florida law.
The prosecutor is required to prove three factors in order to convict an individual of a drug possession charge. That the substance which the individual possessed was, in fact, illegal (this might require a lab analysis), that the individual was aware the substance was illegal, and that they had exercised control over the substance.
Common Types of Drug Possession Penalties
A charge of drug possession can include any type of illegal controlled substance under a specific weight that is found in the individual’s possession, whether in their jacket pocket (actual possession) or in a vehicle/ household (constructive possession).
- Marijuana – An individual who is caught in possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana can face a prison sentence of up to 30 years and receive a fine of up to $2,000.
- Cocaine – An individual who is caught in possession of fewer than 28 grams of cocaine can face a prison sentence of up to 5 years. However, drug possession of an amount over 28 grams can result in a prison sentence ranging from between 3 to 15 years, in addition to receiving a fine between $5,000 and $250,000. Furthermore, drug possession of an amount over 150 kilograms can result in a life sentence in prison without parole, and it is even possible to face drug distribution and drug trafficking charges.
- MDMA/ecstasy – An individual who is caught in possession of fewer than 10 grams of MDMA can face up to 5 years in prison or up to 30 years in prison as well as receiving a $250,000 fine for being in possession of more than 400 grams of MDMA.
- LSD – An individual who is caught in possession of less than 1 gram of LSD can face up to 5 years in prison or a maximum prison sentence of up to 30 years alongside a possible $500,000 fine for more than 7 grams of LSD.
- Methamphetamine – An individual who is caught in possession of meth can be charged with a third-degree felony. However, there is not a mandatory minimum for a prison sentence, but the individual could face up to 4 years in state prison.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Contact The Law Place
If you are facing charges for possessing illegal drugs over 10 grams, then you will need all the help that you can possibly get. It is imperative that you seek legal counsel as soon as you have been charged, as this will mean that a Clearwater criminal defense lawyer can get straight to work and investigate your case to ensure a reasonable outcome.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to battling illegal drug charges, such as drug trafficking, manufacturing, possessing, and many other drug-related offenses. We have a dedicated team of criminal defense lawyers who will fight for your legal rights and make sure that you have not been wrongfully charged for your Florida drug crime.
Our law firm highly values an honest attorney-client relationship, which means that anything you share with us will be held in confidence. If you choose to be represented by The Law Place, then we will begin to investigate your case, gather facts and information, negotiate with the prosecutor, and build a strong defense strategy to take into the courtroom.
Our law firm has the necessary knowledge to tackle your drug crime with skill and expertise. We will work hard to reduce the charges and minimize the severity of the consequences that you are facing for your drug crime in Clearwater.
Reach out to The Law Place today. Call us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your drug possession charges together in Clearwater.
