Drug Possession & Paraphernalia in Venice, FL

The State of Florida blames drugs for most criminal activity that takes place in the state. Because of this outlook, drug charges are taken very seriously in Florida courts. When charged with a drug crime, you are probably worried about your family, job, and your future. Hire a Venice drug attorney at Pallegar Law to help protect your freedom. Drug crimes carry severe penalties for those who are convicted. Classification of a drug charge varies based on the drug, the quantity of the drug, and the intended use of the drug among other factors.

Drug Possession

Possession of a controlled substance can result in a felony or a misdemeanor charge depending on the type of drug that you have been charged with possessing. Penalties for possession can vary from a fine to imprisonment. Some common possession charges of controlled substances include possession of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. The options for a defense for your case will rely on the nature of your charge, your criminal history, and your Venice drug lawyer. In some possession cases, a defendant who is accused could be eligible for a rehabilitation or treatment program instead of imprisonment or a conviction. This option is commonly available for first time offenders without a criminal record. If you are charged with possession with intent to sell in Florida, the offense is more serious than a simple possession charge. Intent to sell or distribute is determined by a number of factors. Some include the presence of drug paraphernalia, presence of cash and customer lists, statements that the defendant made mentioning selling or intent to sell, and the packaging of the drugs discovered.

If you hire Venice drug attorney from Pallegar Law, we will work diligently to get you the best result on your case. If you are a first time offender, you could be eligible for the pretrial intervention program in Venice, Florida. This program gives first time offenders the opportunity to have their charges dropped after successful completion. If eligible to participate in the program, you may be required to report to the court monthly, participate in a drug evaluation and drug treatment program, avoid involvement in criminal activity, and comply with the requirements of the court. If the program is not an option for you, your Venice drug lawyer from Pallegar Law could try to secure probation as an alternative to time in jail. While probation isn’t fun, it is more desirable than being locked up. The terms of your probation will depend on your case, judge, and your probation officers. Probation could include random drug testing, drug treatment, and community service along with other requirements. When charged with possession, it is very important that you obtain a Venice criminal defense attorney to advise you through the pretrial intervention program. We at Pallegar Law have experience with the program and have helped clients get their charges dropped as a result of successful completion of the program. It is also important to retain a Venice drug attorney to help you obtain the best possible outcome for your case, whether that be probation or having your charges dismissed. Contact us at Pallegar Law 941-893-5816 today for your free consultation.

Any kind of drug charge or conviction can stay with you forever. You may be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or just mixed up in a bad situation. Whatever it is, your first step should be to call a skilled Venice drug attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. As soon as you are arrested or charged with a crime Schedule a free consultation with a Venice drug Attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. today to discuss your case.

Possession of Illegal Drugs

In the state of Florida, you may be charged with drug possession even if drugs are not found on your body or in the immediate vicinity. To be convicted for drug possession, it must be proven that: the drug was illegal in nature or a controlled substance, that you knew about the drug and its whereabouts, and that you had access to and/or control of the drug. Depending on the type of drug and the amount found, penalties range from less than one year in jail to 30 years. For example, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana can be punishable by up to one year in jail, while possession of 7 grams of LSD can land you in jail for 30 years. Many of these crimes are also punishable by the suspension of your driver’s license.

Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

Large amounts of drugs may earn you a trafficking charge, which is the intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture illegal drugs. The minimum amount of drugs needed to constitute a trafficking charge are as follows: 25 pounds of cannabis, 28 grams of cocaine, 14 grams of hydrocodone, 1 gram of LSD, 10 grams of MDMA, or 7 grams of oxycodone. All of these crimes have mandatory minimum sentences of at least three years up to life in prison. That is why it’s important to call an experienced Venice drug attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. If at all possible, we will try to drop or lessen the charges against you, to try to resolve the case positively.

Possession and Trafficking in Heroin

Possession of heroin is a particularly serious drug crime, and Florida has seen a large rise in these kinds of charges and convictions within the past decade. Possession of any amount of the drug, even a small amount of residue, is a third-degree felony. Less than 10 grams in punishable by 5 years in prison, and more than 10 is punishably by 30 years. In order to constitute a trafficking charge, you must possess at least 4 grams of the drug. Penalties for this range from a minimum mandatory sentence of three years to a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years for the trafficking of more than 28 grams. A conviction will also result in a license suspension for one year.

One possible defense to this charge is that of an overdose. If you or someone you know was overdosing on heroin, and medical help was sought, you may quality for immunity under what is known as a “Good Samaritan” law. Seek out an aggressive Venice drug attorney who can help you fight the charges and resolve your case as soon as you can.

Drug Paraphernalia

Drug paraphernalia is defined as any object or material that is used or intended to be used for growing, producing, storing, inhaling or otherwise ingesting a controlled substance. Some examples of drug paraphernalia are: needles or syringes, containers for storing drugs, scales, baggies or balloons, mixing devices, or pipes of any kind. The possession of paraphernalia is only a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail. However, it is common to have this charge tacked onto a possession or trafficking charge, adding to the severity of your case.

Call Pallegar Law, P.A.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug-related crime, contact an experienced Venice drug attorney. Call Pallegar Law, P.A. to be connected to an attorney who will help you fight the charges against you. Call 941-893-5816 today.