The State of Florida does not take drug offenses lightly, especially when it comes to the distribution and delivery of them. Drug crime can be prosecuted under both state and federal law, depending on how severe the charges are. If you have been charged with the delivery of drugs in excess of 10 grams, you could be looking at some very serious penalties and, without the help of a criminal defense attorney, you could spend up to 30 years in prison.
If you have been charged with the delivery of illegal drugs in Clearwater, FL., then do not waste a second. The charges you are facing could impact your quality of life forever. All drug convictions will be added to your criminal record permanently. This will cause issues for you later in life. For example, when you try to get a job or rent an apartment, you will be subject to a background check. When your prospective employer or landlord sees a drug conviction, you are much less likely to be accepted.
Here, at The Law Place, we understand the stress of facing a drug charge and will do everything in our power to defend you. Do not face your charges alone. Call our law firm today and schedule a free consultation. A Clearwater drug lawyer is waiting to take your case. All of our attorneys have a wealth of experience with drug charges such as yours. Call us today at (941) 444-4444 and get the ball rolling on your case.
What Are the Types of Drug Crimes in Clearwater, FL?
There are many different charges affiliated with drug crimes in Clearwater. They can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the details surrounding your arrest. A professional Clearwater criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place will be able to explain the varying degrees of drug charges to you, as the law surrounding drug offenses can be very confusing. In-depth knowledge of the law is crucial when it comes to defending someone charged with a drug-related crime in Florida. Our team of attorneys will assist you every step of the way and make sure you are aware of exactly what charges you are facing. Below are some of the most common drug crimes in Clearwater:
- Possession of an illegal drug.
- Possession of an illegal drug with intent to supply, cultivate, or manufacture.
- Manufacture of an illegal drug.
- Sale of an illegal drug.
- Illegal drug trafficking.
Many factors must be considered when categorizing drug crimes. The location you were arrested can have a serious impact on your case. According to Florida law, if you are caught with an illegal drug in close proximity to a school or day-care facility, your charges will be considerably more severe.
It is advisable to enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney when facing drug charges of any kind. You will have a much better chance in court if you have the proper representation. The attorneys at our law firm specialize in drug crime and have a reputation for putting their client’s needs first. We have a wealth of knowledge to draw from and will help you identify exactly what charges you are facing and the resulting penalties.
Florida Statutes
According to Florida Statute 893.13, you could be facing either a first, second, or third-degree felony, depending on the illegal drug you were caught with and the amount. Your Defense attorney will help you make sense of what exactly you will be facing.
A first-degree felony is the most serious charge and comes with the harshest penalties. It can include up to 30 years in jail and a fine not exceeding $10,000.
If you are facing drug charges in Clearwater, then do not make the mistake of facing them alone. Drug charges can seriously impact the rest of your life, so enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. They will do everything in their power to get you the best result possible.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Different Schedules Controlled Substance in Florida
According to Florida Statute 893.03, controlled substances are split into five categories. These categories are defined by how addictive and potentially harmful the controlled substance is deemed to be. Schedule One contains the drugs deemed most harmful and Schedule Five the least.
Schedule One
Drugs that are labeled Schedule One tend to be the most addictive and dangerous. They have the highest potential to be abused and have no medical value whatsoever. They also have the highest penalties if you are found to be in possession of them. Possession of a Schedule One drug is a first-degree felony. This comes with a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Schedule One drugs include meth, crack, heroin, and LSD.
Schedule Two
Illegal drugs that are categorized as Schedule Two still have a high potential for addiction and abuse, although it is considered less than Schedule One. The controlled substances in this category are as follows:
- Oxycodon
- Fentanyl
- Adderal
- Methamphetamine
- Dexedrine
- Hydromorphone
- Hydrocodone
- Cocaine
Schedule Three
Schedule Three contains controlled substances that are considered to have a lower risk of addiction and abuse. It contains:
- Ketamine
- Steriods
- Any products containing 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage.
Schedule Four
Schedule Four is for drugs with a much lower chance of dependency and harm. It includes:
- Talwin
- Soma
- Ambien
- Darvon
- Xanax
Schedule Five
Controlled substances in Schedule Five are considered to be the least addictive and dangerous. It includes:
- Cough syrup
- Motofen
- Lyrica
- Lomotil
- Parepectolin
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Penalties for the Possession of Illegal Drugs in Florida
The penalties associated with the possession of controlled substances or illegal drugs vary massively. It depends on the schedule of the illegal drug you are caught with and the amount of it you have. If it is determined that you intend to sell or deliver, or take part in drug trafficking, your penalties will be very severe. Below are some of the penalties involved with illegal drug cases:
- If you are found in possession of more than 10 grams of a Schedule One controlled substance, you will be facing a first-degree felony. The penalties for this are up to 30 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $10,000.
- If you are caught with more than 10 grams of any other controlled substance, you could be convicted of a third-degree felony. The penalties associated with this are a prison sentence of up to 5 years and a fine not exceeding $5,000.
The penalties surrounding illegal drugs are not to be taken lightly. Law enforcement officers will give you no leniency if you are caught in possession of any of them. If you are charged for possession with intent to sell, distribute, manufacture, or cultivate, the penalties can be a lot worse. It is difficult to prove that you had the intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance, and law enforcement officers have been known to exaggerate these charges when making an arrest.
If you have been charged with any of the above-mentioned offenses, then call The Law Place today and schedule a free consultation. Our defense attorneys will guide you every step of the way and do their very best to keep you out of jail.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. What Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Do for Me?
Upon calling The Law Place, one of our experienced defense attorneys will offer you a free consultation. During this meeting, you will be asked a series of simple questions. This will help us identify what charges you are facing and how much we will need to charge for our services. We strive to have a good attorney-client relationship, so we will be as transparent as possible when it comes to our costs, and we will offer you some no-obligation legal advice to help you make an informed decision.
If you decide to enlist the help of one of our criminal defense attorneys, we will launch an in-depth investigation into your case. We will interview all parties involved in your arrest to determine whether any of your rights were violated. If you have been charged for possession with intent to sell or distribute, we may be able to get your charges reduced to personal use.
If you have been charged with delivery of illegal drugs over 10 grams, then contact The Law Place today. We will not waste a second building a solid defense for you. Each of our defense attorneys is well versed in all kinds of criminal law and will do everything in their power to defend you.
Contact The Law Place Today!
Have you been charged with delivery of a controlled substance in excess of 10 grams in the State of Florida? Then call an experienced criminal defense attorney at our law firm today. The attorneys at The Law Place have a combined experience of over 75 years, and you will benefit from all of it as we set ourselves apart from the other law firms by working together. Our team has your best interests at heart, and we will help you in any way we can.
Call us today on (941) 444-4444 and book a free case evaluation with one of our Florida attorneys.
