Clearwater Drug Crime Lawyer
Florida takes a very aggressive stance toward drug crimes. Police and prosecutors are more than happy to “make an example” of anyone arrested for possessing or selling drugs, even first-time offenders. Without a strong legal defense, you might find yourself facing the harshest penalties possible after a drug crime arrest.
If you’ve been arrested for any drug crime in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey or Tampa, you need assistance from a dedicated Tampa Bay criminal defense lawyer. Without a strong legal defense, you could face jail time, heavy fines, immigration challenges, and many other serious consequences. A Clearwater drug crime lawyer at King Law Group is ready to stand by your side and fight for your rights.
Types of Florida Drug Crimes
At King Law Group, our team has years of experience in protecting the rights of defendants charged with all types of drug crimes, including:
- Manufacturing a controlled substance
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Sale or Delivery of a controlled substance
- Possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, distribute, or manufacture
- Trafficking a controlled substance
- Obtaining a controlled substance through fraud
- Obtaining a prescription for a controlled substance through fraud
Drug crimes cover all manner of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and marijuana, as well as unlawful possession or distribution of prescription medications such as opioids (such as oxycodone), stimulants (such as Adderall), and other painkillers.
A conviction for a drug offense in Florida can be punishable as anything from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, with defendants facing penalties ranging from probation to 30 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The severity of the penalty depends on the defendant’s conduct (possession vs. trafficking vs. sale), the nature of the drug, and the quantity of the drugs involved with the alleged crime.
Drug Classification
In Florida, controlled substances are classified according to “schedule.” The schedules classify drugs according to their alleged potential for abuse or dependency and whether or not they carry medicinal use. More dangerous substances are punished more severely. Schedule I drugs are considered to have no medicinal use and a high potential for abuse and include substances such as heroin, MDMA (ecstasy), and PCP. Schedule V substances, on the other hand, are considered to have a low potential for abuse and have a currently accepted medical use, covering substances such as codeine and stimulants. Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug even though Florida allows for medicinal marijuana.
Florida Marijuana Charges
Cannabis is being legalized all over the country. As of 2021, recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in 18 states and several U.S. territories and has been decriminalized in another 13 states. Under federal law, however, marijuana remains a prohibited controlled substance. Likewise, Florida continues to ban recreational use and distribution of cannabis and cannabis products, although Florida has legalized marijuana for medicinal use. Florida has not only refused to legalize recreational marijuana; the state continues to have severe penalties on the books for marijuana possession and sale.
In Florida, it’s a misdemeanor to possess less than 20 grams of cannabis and a felony to possess more than 20 grams of cannabis. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail and $1,000 in fines, while the felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Defendants convicted of possession of marijuana will also face suspension of their driver’s license. For larger quantities (more than 25 pounds, more than 2,000 pounds, and more than 10,000 pounds), the penalties become much more severe. The sale of cannabis is automatically chargeable as a third-degree felony and punishable by up to five years in prison.
Experienced Drug Crime Attorney Ready to Fight Your Clearwater Drug Charges
If you’ve been arrested for drug charges in the Tampa Bay Area, you need a seasoned legal advisor in your corner as soon as possible. The dedicated Clearwater drug crime defense lawyer at King Law Group is ready to hear your case. At King Law Group, we pride ourselves on providing a tailored, passionate legal defense to each of our clients. Your case matters to us, and we’ll be by your side from day one until we obtain the best resolution possible of your criminal case. If you’ve been arrested or charged with a drug crime in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, Tampa or anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, call Clearwater criminal defense law firm King Law Group today for a free consultation.
