A charge of being in possession of illegal drugs with the intent to sell can have a serious impact on your life. The State of Florida imposes harsh punishments on individuals who are caught in possession of controlled substances, especially those who are suspected of drug possession with intent to sell in Sarasota.
If you are convicted on a charge of drug possession with the intent to sell, then it will result in repercussions that will ultimately affect your personal and professional life in various ways. This includes making it difficult to seek employment, obtain a professional license, or even a student loan. In addition, your friends and family will likely suffer the consequences for you. That is why it imperative that you seek legal counsel from a reputable law firm like The Law Place if you wish to protect your future and your legal rights.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to fighting charges such as drug possession, manufacturing, distributing, or even drug trafficking all over the State of Florida. We have a dedicated team of Sarasota drug lawyers who have the necessary knowledge to handle your case with skill and efficiency. Our law firm will work hard to avoid you facing a drug possession with intent to sell conviction, which carries penalties such as hefty fines and spending a long time in prison.
If you are being accused of committing a drug crime in Sarasota County, then you must understand your legal rights under Florida law. The Law Place has an in-depth knowledge of the law on drug crimes, and we will be able to navigate you through the legal system. A criminal defense lawyer will be able to discuss the specifics of your case and explain the process to you step by step. Our law firm will investigate and analyze all of the details of your case in order to formulate a strong defense strategy and find any mitigating factors that might be helpful in fighting your Sarasota drug charges.
The Law Place has a reputation for providing the best legal representation for our clients in the State of Florida, and we want to be the ones to fight for your rights. Don’t hesitate to call today to set up a free case evaluation. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and our Sarasota criminal defense lawyers will fight your possession of illegal drugs with intent charges together in Sarasota.
Definition of Possession of Illegal Drugs With Intent
Florida Statute 893.13 clearly describes the law on possession of illegal drugs with intent to sell. A person may not sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a controlled substance. A person who violates this will be facing felony or misdemeanor charges.
Differences Between Drug Possession and Possession With Intent to Sell
A charge for being in possession of illegal drugs with the intent to sell has more severe penalties than a charge for being in possession of a controlled substance in Sarasota. There are a few important factors to consider that will likely heighten your chances of being charged with drug possession with intent to sell, such as:
- Large amounts of controlled substances were found in your possession.
- You admitted to selling illegal drugs to other individuals.
- The presence of paraphernalia or materials for packaging a controlled substance was discovered, which include scales or drug bags.
- How the controlled substances were packaged.
- The presence of large quantities of cash.
- The presence of dangerous weapons.
If you were caught selling controlled substances across state borders, you could be charged with drug trafficking – which is classed as a federal offense and results in harsh punishment.
Types of Illegal Drugs in Sarasota, FL.
It is one hundred percent illegal to be in actual or constructive possession of controlled substances in the State of Florida. An act of actual drug possession refers to illegal drugs being physically on the suspect in question, such as in their jacket pocket. On the other hand, an act of constructive possession refers to the illegal drugs being in the suspect’s control, such as in their car, which can be much harder for the prosecution to prove.
A list of controlled substances that are illegal to possess, manufacture, or sell includes:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines (Meth)
- Xanax
- Synthetic drugs
- Adderall
- OxyContin
- Ecstasy
- LSD (Acid)
Penalties for Possession With Intent to Sell in Sarasota, FL.
The penalties for being in possession of controlled substances with the intent to sell are defined by Florida’s Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. The charges that you might face for your drug crime will ultimately depend on the schedule of the drug and the quantity of the drug that was involved in your offense.
If you are convicted for being in drug possession with intent to sell a Schedule I or II controlled substance, then you will be charged with a second-degree felony. The punishments include facing up to 15 years in prison and receiving a fine of up to $10,000.
If you are convicted for being in drug possession with intent to sell a Schedule III or IV controlled substance, then you will be charged with a third-degree felony. The punishments for this include spending up to 5 years in prison and receiving a fine of up to $5,000.
If you are convicted of being in drug possession with intent to sell a Schedule V controlled substance, then you will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. The punishments include spending up to one year in prison and receiving a fine of up to $1,000.
Federal Charges and Penalties for Possession With Intent to Sell in Sarasota, FL.
It is considered a federal offense for any individual to possess a controlled substance with the intent to sell or distribute, according to the Federal Controlled Substances Act. A federal charge is much more serious than a state-level charge. However, the penalties will vary depending on the type of controlled substance.
A list of potential punishments includes:
- If you have no prior convictions, then you could spend up to ten years in prison.
- If you have two or more prior convictions, then you could spend a lifetime in prison without parole.
- If serious bodily injury or death occurred, then you could spend up to twenty years in prison.
- You could face up to $20,000,000 in fines.
Factors to Reduce a Possession with Intent to Sell Charge in Sarasota, FL.
It will be difficult for the prosecutor to charge you with drug possession with intent to sell if they are unable to prove these three things:
- That you were in possession of large quantities of a controlled substance.
- That you were in possession of any type of packaging or materials that indicates you were planning to sell illegal drugs.
- That you did not personally admit that you were selling illegal drugs to other individuals.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you are facing charges for drug possession with intent to sell in Sarasota, then you should get in contact with a criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place today. Drug crimes are not tolerated by the State of Florida, which is why you should speak to a criminal defense attorney before making a move.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience in helping clients in Sarasota and across the State of Florida to beat their charges, whether it is white-collar crimes, car accidents, drug crimes, personal injury claims, or any other. Our law firm specializes in fighting Sarasota drug crimes, and we want to be the ones to represent you in court.
A criminal defense attorney from our law firm will be able to advise you on how to best approach your case following a Sarasota drug crime. First of all, it is essential that you take your drug charges seriously, as this will show the judge and jury that you are taking responsibility for your actions. Second of all, it is important that you share every piece of information with us regarding your drug crime so that we will be able to develop the best defense strategy to tackle your case. There is no need to worry, as anything you say to us will be confidential under the attorney-client relationship.
Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your possession of illegal drugs with intent charges together in Sarasota.