Possession of illegal drugs over 10 grams is a serious charge in the State of Florida. It can potentially lead to spending one year, five years, or even thirty years in prison, depending on the nature of the substance in question. An amount of ten grams or more can qualify for a charge of drug trafficking, which can result in a third-degree felony or even a first-degree felony.
If you have been accused of possessing illegal drugs over ten grams in St. Petersburg, then you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer with the necessary skills and resources to defend your legal rights. A charge of drug possession or drug trafficking will have serious consequences, and it will be detrimental to your future.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in tackling drug charges for clients in St. Petersburg and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has managed hundreds of drug cases over the years with great success, and we know that we can assist you too.
If you have questions in regard to a drug crime, then you should call our office now. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can speak to a criminal defense lawyer during your time of need.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
Florida Statutes on Drug Possession in St. Petersburg, FL.
Florida Statute 893.13 explains the laws surrounding possession of a controlled substance. The statute writes that your punishment for a drug possession charge will depend on the type of drug that was found on you. There are certain drugs in the amount of 10 grams that will automatically result in drug trafficking charges with serious penalties.
For example, if you were in possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana, then it would be classed as a misdemeanor offense with penalties that include spending up to one year in prison and paying a fine of up to $1,000 for a first offense. However, if you were in possession of up to ten grams of MDMA (ecstasy), then you can also face drug trafficking charges. If you were caught trafficking MDMA, then you will get charged with a third-degree felony, and the penalties include spending a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and paying a fine of up to $50,000. The penalties will increase according to the amount of the substance.
The laws surrounding drug possession and drug trafficking are very severe and complex in the State of Florida. It is imperative that you seek legal counsel with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your future is protected. Call The Law Place to set up a free consultation now.
Types of Drug Charges in St. Petersburg, FL.
There are a few different categories of drug charges in the State of Florida that include:
- Possession of a controlled substance.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (a piece of equipment or instrument that is designed for the purposes of producing, planting, manufacturing, cultivating, concealing, selling, transporting, or storing a controlled substance).
- Manufacturing a controlled substance.
- Selling a controlled substance.
- Trafficking a controlled substance.
There are serious consequences with each of the drug charges. If you were involved in a drug crime, then you should get in contact with a criminal defense lawyer at The Law Place to receive the best legal advice.
Drug Schedules in St. Petersburg, FL.
Controlled substances are divided into five separate categories that are called drug schedules.
The drug schedules are categorized depending on the highest and lowest potential for addiction and harm, according to the government. Schedule One lists the drugs with the highest potential for addiction and harm, while Schedule Five lists the drugs with the lowest potential for addiction and harm.
Schedule One Drugs
Schedule One drugs are the ones with the highest potential for abuse, with no current medical value.
The most common Schedule One drugs include heroin, crack, meth, and LSD.
Schedule Two Drugs
Schedule Two drugs also have a high potential for abuse, with slight medical value.
The most common Schedule Two drugs include cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone (brand name OxyContin), methamphetamine, Adderall, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Dexedrine, methadone, hydrocodone per dosage units (brand name Vicodin), meperidine (brand name Demerol), Ritalin, and morphine.
Schedule Three Drugs
Schedule Three drugs have less potential for abuse.
The most common Schedule Three drugs include ketamine, steroids, and codeine products (with an amount of codeine lower than 90 milligrams per dose).
Schedule Four Drugs
Schedule Four drugs have a low risk of abuse.
The most common Schedule Four drugs include Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Tramadol, Talwin, Soma, Darvon, Ambien, and Darvocet.
Schedule Five Drugs
Schedule Five drugs have the least risk of abuse compared to all of the controlled substances.
The most common Schedule Five drugs include Lyrica, Lomotil, Motfen, Parapectolin, and cough syrups (with an amount of codeine that is less than 200 milligrams)
Defense Methods Against Drug Charges in St. Petersburg, FL.
Every drug crime has a different set of circumstances and facts that led to the person’s arrest. A criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place has the necessary skills and knowledge to develop a unique defense strategy for each and every person who is facing drug charges.
Once we investigate your case, we will have to ask you the following questions in order to build a defense strategy:
- Did the police officers use deliberate entrapment to arrest you?
- Did the drug found in your possession actually belong to you?
- Did the police officers identify the controlled substance by using a flawed method?
- Did the police officers obtain their evidence against you in an illegal manner?
- Have you been identified incorrectly as the one in possession of illegal drugs?
- Did the police officers possess a valid warrant to search and seize, or did they possess an invalid warrant?
- Did the illegal drug weigh less than ten grams?
It is important that you seek legal representation as soon as possible following a drug charge in St. Petersburg. A criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place will sit down with you and talk through the details of your case in order to build the perfect defense strategy. Rest assured that we will work hard to win a favorable outcome for your case, whether that means the charges are reduced, or the charges get dismissed altogether.
You should call The Law Place now to set up a free consultation. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
What Is Constructive Possession in St. Petersburg, FL?
There are certain situations that can be harder to interpret when it comes to drug possession in the State of Florida.
Constructive possession is a case where the drugs are not found on the person in question, but they are in a particular location, like someone’s car. For example, the police officers at the scene have a responsibility to prove that the person knew that that the cocaine was stashed in the car, and they would also have to prove that the person knew that the nature of the drug was illegal. Police officers will always have a burden of proof, and they must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
If your drug case involves constructive possession, then you should reach out to a criminal defense lawyer at The Law Place now. We will help you to battle the charges and win a favorable outcome.
Important Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL.
It is essential that there is a mutual trust between you and the criminal defense lawyer that you have hired to take on your case. You should feel at ease when it comes to disclosing the facts involved in your drug possession case, and you should be willing to share all of the intimate details around the case so that your criminal defense lawyer will be able to develop a better defense against your charges. It is important that your criminal defense lawyer has all of the facts together, especially when you are fighting a first-degree felony or third-degree felony.
We highly recommend that you ask the following questions when you are looking to hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent your drug possession case:
- Has the criminal defense lawyer been involved in similar drug cases to yours?
- What type of fees or payment plan does the criminal defense lawyer charge?
- What number of cases that were similar to yours did the criminal defense lawyer win?
- What number of jury trials has the criminal defense lawyer been involved in litigating?
- What is the criminal defense lawyer’s plea bargain track record?
- What are the references and testimonials from the criminal defense lawyer’s previous clients?
It is imperative that you feel confident in the criminal defense lawyer that you have chosen to represent your case. If a criminal defense lawyer is unable to provide you with references, then that is not a good sign. A high-quality criminal defense lawyer should be proud of their track record, and they should be willing to share their stories of success. They should also do everything that they can to make you feel at ease, knowing that your case and your future are in their capable hands.
What Should You Look for When Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL?
If you are facing accusations of possessing ten or more grams of an illegal drug, whether it is cocaine or marijuana, then your future is at risk, and the consequences are at an all-time high. It is important that you seek legal representation from a reputable law firm as soon as possible. You will need a criminal defense lawyer who is highly trained to deal with drug cases. In addition, they should also make you feel comfortable when you are getting to the truth of the case.
A criminal defense lawyer with experience and knowledge should be able to:
- Get your charges dismissed or reduced. For example, they should have the negotiating and litigating skills to turn your first-degree felony into a third-degree felony.
- Reduce your jail time to a minimum.
- Lower the severity of your consequences.
- Develop the best defense strategy to battle your charges.
- Win a favorable outcome for your case.
You must feel at ease when you place your trust in a law firm. It is worth taking the time to research and find information that ensures the law firm has a good standing reputation and that they are able to take on your case. The internet will make the process very easy for you. You can find plenty of testimonials and reviews from previous clients who have been represented by the law firm, along with finding the results of their specific cases.
At The Law Place, we will devote time and attention to your case in order to reach the best possible outcome. If you choose us to represent you in court, then we will fight zealously for your future.
Contact The Law Place Today!
If you are facing a charge of drug possession over ten grams in St. Petersburg, then you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. You could be facing five or even thirty years in prison, depending on the substance that you possessed. It is important that you have the right criminal defense lawyer on your side to protect your legal rights.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to winning drug cases in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has an in-depth understanding of criminal law, and we will guide you through the legal system with skill and efficiency.
If you choose us to represent your case, then you could be looking at a brighter future. Do not let one mistake involving drugs define the rest of your life. Our law firm has a strong track record of success, and we know that we can take on your case too. A criminal defense lawyer will investigate your drug charges, collect facts and information, deal with the related paperwork, negotiate with the prosecutor and develop a strong defense strategy on your behalf. Rest assured that we will work hard to achieve a favorable outcome for you and for your family.
If you call our office now, we will be happy to discuss the details of your case. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
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