Receiving a Marijuana related charge is a very serious offense. The penalties in Florida for marijuana crimes vary based upon the amount of Marijuana in your possession, and whether or not you had the intent to sell or distribute. It is also possible to be charged with a drug related offense if you had Marijuana paraphrenlia in your possession.

Besides the possibility of jailtime and fines, you will face other unintended consequences as well. For example, you will be ineligble for most public employment, you will ineligible for State financial aid, Florida Bright Future Scholarships, and much more.

If you’ve been charged with possession of 20 grams or less of Marijuana you will face a misdemeanor charge, a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. If you are caught with anything more than 20 grams of Marijuana in your possession you’ll be facing a felony, which has penalities of five to fifteen years in prison, and a maximum fine of up to $15,000.

Sales and distribution of Marijuana carry even stiffer penalities than possession. Distribution of 20 grams or less of Marijuana results in up to a year in jail and a fine of $10,000. If you were charged with distribution of more than 20 grams you can face felony charges, which have very stiff penalties, based upon the amount you had in your possession. Felony charges include up to thirty years in jail and fines up to $200,000.

Penalties are even higher if the sale took place within one thousand feet of a school. The penalites you’ll face here will include an automatic felony charge, regardless of the amount of Marijuana in your possession, and fines up to $10,000. If you’ve been charged with a Marijuana related offense your case needs to be handled by a dedicated Jacksonville defense attorney as soon as possible. Get in touch today, or give us a call at (904) 358-0420.