In order to prevent the possession, use or distribution of illegal substances, Florida law has outlined crimes and penalties related to Drug Abuse Prevention and Control. The federal government also has enacted rules restricting access to certain drugs or narcotics. The substances made illegal under both federal and state law are defined within separate categories referred to as Schedule I, Schedule II, Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs.
If you commit any drug crime, the consequences of conviction will depend on the schedule of the drug as well as how much of the drug you had in your possession. With any drug conviction, you face potential jail time, a criminal record and other penalties including mandatory drug counseling.
Therefore, if you are arrested for a drug crime, it is important you seek legal help from a NE Florida criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Chris Johns has experience with both federal and state drug cases and can help you throughout your criminal drug case.
In the state of Florida, drug crimes range from minor misdemeanor charges to serious felony charges. For example, you may be charged with:
This misdemeanor charge can be brought if you have in your possession certain items that are associated with the use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine cooking kits or bongs used for marijuana.
If you have small amounts of drugs under your control, you can be charged with simple possession. The penalties will depend on what schedule the drug is.
For example, if you have less than 0 gams of pot, you face up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,000. If you have 28 grams or less of cocaine in your possession, you can be jailed for up to five years.
You do not actually have to sell the drugs to be charged with possession with intent to sell. If you have larger amounts of drugs in your possession, such as 25 or more marijuana plants, no matter what size those plants are, you could go to jail for 15 years.
This is the most serious offense and if convicted, you face 30 years of prison time or even life in prison if a firearm is involved. Again, trafficking can be inferred based on the amount of drugs you have in your possession.
For example, if you have just four grams of a controlled substance such as Oxycodone in your possession without a prescription, you can be charged with trafficking, even if you weren’t actually engaged in widespread distribution of the drugs.
Contact our NE Florida defense attorneys for a free case review and to discuss your specific drug charges. We’re available to help defend you.
In Florida, drug crimes are taken very seriously and if you are convicted, there is a good chance you will go to jail. Therefore, you should always speak with a NE Florida criminal defense lawyer to understand how best to handle the charges against you.
If you are charged with a Florida drug crime, you can raise a number of defenses including:
Every case is unique and choosing the right defense can be complicated. The NE Florida criminal defense lawyers at Chris Johns Law Group can help you navigate the criminal justice system and create the strongest defense to your drug case. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
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