All states take drug charges very seriously, and in Florida, a felony conviction can result in some of the following:
- Jail time– you could face serious jail time if you are found guilty of possession of drugs. While other states have taken the step of legalizing marijuana, if you are found with more than 20 grams (less than one ounce), you could be prosecuted as a felon and face up to five years in jail. The more dangerous the drug is considered to be, the longer the sentence that is likely to be imposed.
- Fines– those who are found with less than one ounce of marijuana could face fines up to $5,000. Imagine having to come up with that much money with a felony conviction on your record that could ultimately result in difficulties finding a job.
- After conviction penalties– Florida is one of the many states that impose voting right suspensions when you are convicted of a felony. This means one conviction means you have no right to decide on any elected official from your county supervisor, governor and even President for the rest of your life. In addition, federal laws prohibit any felon from exercising their Second Amendment rights to carry a firearm. These prohibitions are life-long.
How to fight a drug possession charge
If you are arrested and charged with any drug possession charge, you should contact a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville immediately. These charges are extremely serious, and you need someone to evaluate your case and work with you to protect your current and future rights. Some of the potential defenses for drug possession that your Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer may use include:
- Ignorance is bliss– in some cases, we have found people who do not know they are carrying a substance that is considered a controlled substance. For example, if you asked a friend for an aspirin and they provided you with the narcotic Codeine, you could be facing criminal drug possession charges.
- Lack of control – in order to successfully prosecute you for a drug possession charge, the State of Florida must be able to prove you were in full possession of the drug, that you were aware of the drugs presence, and you had the ability to control the substance. When a drug arrest occurs inside a home or motor vehicle with more than one occupant the defense for constructive possession can be very effective.
Drug possession charges are extremely serious and not something you should ignore. If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with any type of drug possession, contact our office at (904) 358-0420. As a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer, I will work hard to defend you against these charges and help protect your rights.
