A drug conviction can have a serious, long-lasting impact on your life in St. Petersburg. Drug crimes include possession, manufacturing, sale, and delivery of controlled substances. However, the punishment for selling or distributing drugs is much harsher than a case of simple drug possession.
A conviction for the sale of illegal drugs over with intent can result in severe penalties, including large fines and prison time, along with a two-year driver’s license suspension in the State of Florida. There are different regulations for the sale of a controlled substance in every state, and the laws will change depending on the type and amount of controlled substance. If you are being accused of the sale of illegal drugs, then you will need to speak to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to managing the sale of illegal drug cases for clients who live in St. Petersburg and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has the necessary knowledge and resources to fight your charges and win a favorable outcome for your St. Petersburg drug case.
Your best chance of beating a drug possession or sale of illegal drugs charge is to hire a criminal defense attorney from The Law Place. Call our office to receive the best legal advice now. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.
Possession With Intent to Sell in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you are facing accusations of drug possession with intent to sell or sale of illegal drugs, then you could be charged with a felony offense in St. Petersburg. A felony offense can result in a lifetime of consequences, and you will need a skilled legal defense. A criminal defense attorney from The Law Place will defend you against the allegations.
We will aggressively defend you and fight for your legal rights following a drug possession or sale of illegal drugs charge. If you put your trust in The Law Place, then you will be sure to succeed.
Factors Involved in a Drug Case in St. Petersburg, FL.
It is one hundred percent illegal to be in actual or constructive possession of a controlled substance, according to Florida Statute 893.13. A charge of actual possession means that illegal drugs were found on the suspect, such as in their pockets or shoes. A charge of constructive possession means that the illegal drugs were found in a location that the suspect had control and access to, such as in the glove compartment of a motor vehicle or a storage unit.
Florida Statute 893.03 includes controlled substances like:
- Cocaine.
- Heroin.
- LSD.
- Methamphetamines (Meth).
- MDMA (Ecstasy).
- Xanax.
- Synthetic drugs.
However, the penalties will be much greater in the event that you are charged with drug possession with intent to sell or deliver. Drug possession with intent to sell can be proven by:
- The amount of illegal drugs in possession.
- The packaging of the illegal drugs.
- The presence of large amounts of cash.
- The presence of drug paraphernalia, like scales or baggies.
- Your behavior at the time that you were arrested.
Types of Drug Charges in St. Petersburg, FL.
Drug possession, distribution, manufacturing, trafficking, and prescription fraud are only a few of the different types of drug charges in the State of Florida. If you are facing a drug accusation, then it is important that you take the time to understand the differences between them:
- Drug possession – A charge of drug possession will depend on the nature of the controlled substance and the amount that was found in your possession.
- Drug distribution – A charge of drug distribution refers to selling, distributing, or having the intention to sell or distribute drugs.
- Drug manufacturing – A charge of drug manufacturing refers to producing drugs, like cocaine or methamphetamine, or the materials to manufacture drugs were found in your possession.
- Drug trafficking – A charge of drug trafficking refers to having the intent to sell, possess, deliver, purchase, manufacture or transport a large amount of drugs.
- Prescription fraud – A charge of prescription fraud refers to using a forged or fake prescription to obtain opioids, tranquilizers, or other prescription medication.
The severity of the penalties for drug crimes will ultimately depend on the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved in the case. A sale of illegal drugs can result in serious charges in St. Petersburg, and that is why you will need to have legal representation. You should call a criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place to discuss the facts of your case. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us to set up a free consultation now.
The Drug Schedules in St. Petersburg, FL.
The Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act categorizes illegal drugs into five different schedules, ranging from Schedule I to Schedule V. It is imperative that you understand the drug schedules in the State of Florida, especially if you are facing drug charges. The controlled substances are categorized according to their potential for abuse:
- Schedule I – Schedule I drugs have the highest chance of abuse, like heroin, and there is no accepted medical usage.
- Schedule II – Schedule II drugs have a high chance of abuse, like morphine and opium, but they also have accepted, but restrictive, medical usage.
- Schedule III – Schedule III drugs have a medium-level chance of abuse, like anabolic steroids, and can lead to dependency.
- Schedule IV – Schedule IV drugs have a lesser chance of abuse, like diazepam, and it can lead to some dependency.
- Schedule V – Schedule V drugs have the least chance of abuse, and they are usually included in specific types of medications.
The law in relation to the sale of illegal drugs will not only include the charge for an actual sale but also incorporates possession with intent to sell and deliver. The sale of a controlled substance can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony offense.
Penalties for Drug Dealing in St. Petersburg, FL.
The penalties for possession with intent to sell are determined by the type and amount of drugs involved in the case.
- Schedule I and Schedule II – Schedule II and Schedule II controlled substances are the most serious types of drugs, which include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD (acid), and MDMA (ecstasy). A charge of Schedule I or Schedule II drugs is considered a second-degree felony, and the penalties include spending up to 15 years in prison and paying a $10,000 fine.
- Schedule III and Schedule IV – Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances include steroids, Xanax, and Valium. A charge of Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs is considered a third-degree felony, and the penalties include spending up to 5 years in prison and paying a $5,000 fine.
- Schedule V – Schedule V controlled substances include certain types of prescription cough medications. A charge of Schedule V drugs is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, and the penalties include spending up to 1 year in prison and paying a $1,000 fine.
If you are convicted of drug possession with intent to sell, then you can also face a driver’s license suspension, other fines, community service, or probation in St. Petersburg.
Defenses to the Crime of Sale of Illegal Drugs in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you choose The Law Place to represent you following a charge of sale of illegal drugs, then we will fight aggressively for your legal rights in St. Petersburg. Our law firm will work hard to build a defense method that will either get your charges reduced or dropped altogether. A criminal defense attorney will conduct an investigation into your case and use one of the following defense methods:
- The prosecutor illegally acquired evidence against you.
- The police officers performed a search and seizure without a valid search warrant.
- The way that drugs were identified was incorrect.
- The amount of drugs were below ten grams.
- The police officers entrapped you.
- The drugs were not actually in your possession.
- The drugs were not yours, and you did not intend to sell them
- The drugs were not under your jurisdiction.
- You are innocent of the drug charges because you were identified incorrectly.
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you are being accused of selling illegal drugs in St. Petersburg, then we highly recommend that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Drug charges are very serious cases, and it is imperative that you have a criminal defense attorney on your side to battle the charges.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in fighting the sale of illegal drugs for people in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm is highly trained to deal with complex cases ranging from drug possession, drug trafficking, sale of illegal drugs, manufacturing illegal drugs, and much more.
If you are looking for the best legal representation in town, then you should speak to one of our criminal defense lawyers now. A criminal defense lawyer will answer all of your questions and help you to make the smartest move for your case. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that we can be there for you any time.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.