The State of Florida has the strictest laws when it comes to illegal drugs, mainly due to the fact that it is a prime drug smuggling route from Mexico into the United States. A drug offense, whether it is possession with intent, manufacturing, or selling, should be taken very seriously.
If you have been accused of drug possession with intent in St. Petersburg, then you could be looking at spending years in prison, paying high fines, and having a permanent criminal record that will impact the rest of your life. It is imperative that you hire a St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer to defend your legal rights following a drug charge.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in defending clients who are facing drug possession charges in St. Petersburg and across the State of Florida. Our team of criminal defense lawyers is skilled at helping people to get their severe charges reduced to a lesser charge or even get the charges dropped altogether.
Our law firm is highly trained to deal with complex cases, and we have managed hundreds of drug possession cases over the years with great success. If you have questions in regard to drug possession with intent, then you should call our office now. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.
Definition of Drug Possession with Intent in St. Petersburg, FL.
There are a number of different charges that you could face for possession of drugs in St. Petersburg. It mostly depends on the type and amount of controlled substance that you had in your possession.
You could be charged with simple possession of a controlled substance, or you could be charged with drug trafficking, which carries much more serious penalties. You could even be charged with possession with intent to distribute, but it will depend on the presence of drug paraphernalia and large amounts of cash.
The penalties for drug crimes vary, and they are usually based on the type and weight amount of the controlled substance in question. Florida Statute 893.13 explains the various drug crimes and the penalties.
Different Types of Drug Crimes in St. Petersburg, FL.
There is a whole range of drug crimes that have been managed by the criminal defense lawyers at The Law Place. The most common types of drug crimes include:
- Possession of a controlled substance.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (includes equipment or an instrument that can be designed for manufacturing, storing, producing, delivering, selling, concealing, transporting, planting, or cultivation of illegal drugs).
- Sale of controlled substances.
- Drug possession with intent to sell.
- Manufacturing a controlled substance.
- Trafficking a controlled substance.
The drug crimes listed above will carry serious punishments in the State of Florida. If you are caught with only drug paraphernalia in possession, then it can lead to a maximum of spending one year in jail.
If you are facing one of the drug charges listed above, then you will need the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place. We have plenty of experience and knowledge in fighting and winning drug cases. Call our office to set up a free consultation now.
Factors That Demonstrate Intent to Sell a Controlled Substance in St. Petersburg, FL.
If a police officer finds that someone is in illegal possession of a controlled substance, then they have a responsibility to determine whether the person had an intent to sell the drugs in St. Petersburg.
There are many factors that can lead to elevating a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, such as:
- The type of drug in possession.
- The amount or quantity of the drugs in possession.
- The location of the drugs.
- The way that the drugs were packaged.
- The written or verbal statements by the person saying that they had the intent to sell the drugs.
- The presence of drug paraphernalia used by drug dealers (including plastic bags or scales).
- The presence of large amounts of cash.
- The presence of ledgers recording drug transactions or other records.
- The presence of a gun, firearm, or other types of weapons.
A prosecutor will usually build a case of intent to sell based on the above factors. However, if none of the above factors are present, then they will find it difficult to prove intent.
Controlled Substance Schedules in St. Petersburg, FL.
There are five different schedules for controlled substances that are regulated by the government. Schedule One drugs are known for having the highest risk of harm and abuse, and they have the most severe punishments.
Schedule One Drugs
The controlled substances in Schedule One are recognized as having the highest level of harm, abuse, and dependency. There is currently no mainstream value in the medical field for Schedule One drugs.
Schedule One drugs include heroin, crack cocaine, and LSD.
Schedule Two Drugs
The controlled substances in Schedule Two are recognized as having a high level of harm, abuse, and dependency. There are some drugs that have a low level of mainstream value in the medical field for Schedule Two drugs.
Schedule Two drugs include oxycodone, fentanyl, and Adderall.
Schedule Three Drugs
The controlled substances in Schedule Three are recognized as having a middle level of harm, abuse, and dependency.
Schedule Three drugs include products containing codeine, steroids, and ketamine.
Schedule Four Drugs
The controlled substances in Schedule Four are recognized as having the second-lowest level of harm, abuse, and dependency.
Schedule Four drugs include prescription substances such as Valium, Xanax, and Ambien.
Schedule Five Drugs
The controlled substances in Schedule Five are recognized as having the lowest level of harm, abuse, and dependency.
Schedule Five drugs include prescription substances such as Motfen, Lomotil, and Lyrica.
Penalties for Possession with Intent in St. Petersburg, FL.
The penalties for drug possession with intent will vary depending on the type and amount of substance, whether a weapon was involved, where the substance was sold, and whether the person in question has a previous criminal history.
The most common penalties with possession with intent to sell include:
- Schedule I and some Schedule II substances – Possession with intent to sell Schedule I and some Schedule II substances are classed as a second-degree felony. The penalties include spending up to 15 years in prison and paying a fine of up to $10,000.
- Schedule III, Schedule IV, and some Schedule II substances – Possession with intent to sell Schedule III, Schedule IV, and some Schedule II substances are classed as a third-degree felony. The penalties include spending up to 5 years in prison and paying a fine of up to $5,000.
- Schedule V substances – Possession with intent to sell Schedule V substances is classed as a first-degree misdemeanor. The penalties include spending up to 1 year in jail and paying a fine of up to $1,000.
Other potential penalties for drug possession with intent to sell include a driver’s license suspension, community service, and probation.
Common Defenses for Possession of Illegal Drugs with Intent to Sell in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you are being accused of drug possession with intent to sell, then you should consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer. A St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer at The Law Place will explain your legal rights and help to battle your drug charges. The most common defense methods that we use to tackle drug charges include:
- Did the police officers use methods of entrapment on you?
- Did the drugs actually belong to you?
- Did the police officers identify the controlled substance in an unlawful way?
- Did the police officers fail to use a valid warrant, or did they obtain evidence from you in an illegal manner?
- Were you incorrectly identified?
- Did the police officers weigh the controlled substance incorrectly?
Consequences of a Felony Drug Charge in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you have been caught in possession of drugs that led to a felony charge, then you should take it very seriously in the State of Florida. A felony conviction can never be removed from your criminal record through sealing or expungement, which means that it will have long-lasting consequences throughout your life. If you have received a felony drug charge, then you will face difficulties in the following areas:
- Employment – It will be difficult for you to seek employment due to the fact that most companies will not hire people who have a felony offense on their criminal record.
- Loans – It will be difficult for you to receive credit for loans or down payments when you have a felony offense on your criminal record.
- Licenses – It will be difficult for you to receive certain types of licenses or permits when you have a felony offense on your criminal record.
- Custody – It will be difficult for you to win legal battles, such as getting custody over your children, when you have a felony offense on your criminal record.
It is important that you have a criminal defense lawyer on your side when you are facing drug charges in the State of Florida. A criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place will fight to get your felony charges reduced or dropped entirely in the courtroom. Call The Law Place to set up a free consultation now.
How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Will Help You in St. Petersburg, FL.
The Law Place handles every case with consideration, efficiency, and finesse. If you choose us to represent your case, then we will work hard to reach a favorable outcome. Our team of criminal defense lawyers will tailor your defense to the facts and circumstances surrounding your drug charges in St. Petersburg. However, the quality of the defense that we build ultimately relies on you disclosing all of the details in regard to your drug possession with intent to us. The more detail that we assemble for your case means that we can build a stronger defense.
If you have been accused of having the intention to sell heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or another type of controlled substance, then you will need the best criminal defense lawyer in town. Call The Law Place to speak to the best criminal defense lawyers. We will work hard to reduce the charges that you are facing. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you have been accused of drug possession with intent in St. Petersburg, then you must hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately. A criminal defense lawyer with experience and knowledge of drug crimes will make all the difference for your case.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to fighting drug crimes in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm understands the laws surrounding drug crimes, and we will guide you through the legal system with skill and efficiency.
If you are looking for the best legal defense, then you have come to the right place. A criminal defense lawyer from our law firm will fight against your charges of drug possession with intent and win a favorable outcome for your case. Our top priority is to protect your future no matter what. If you put your faith in us, we will work hard to decrease your charges and reduce the severity of the consequences.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.