While Florida has joined many other states in loosening the restrictions placed on the possession of marijuana and other products containing THC, state law still comes down extremely harshly on drug possession, distribution, and manufacturing in general. With very few exceptions, even simple possession of substances like cocaine and methamphetamine can be prosecuted as a felony offense, and more serious offenses involving larger amounts of drugs can be punishable by decades of imprisonment upon conviction.
No matter what kind of drug charge you are dealing with, you will want an expert Kendall drug lawyer on your side. Working with an award-winning defense team like the one at Rossen Law Firm gives you a better chance of securing the best possible case result and protecting your future.
Both United States federal and Florida state law sort controlled substances into one of five “schedules.” These schedules are based on how likely people are to abuse or become dependent on the drug and whether the drug has a legitimate medical use if prescribed by a physician. Schedule I substances are considered to be the most dangerous, while Schedule V substances are considered to be the least dangerous.
Notably, marijuana used to be considered a Schedule I substance and still is classified as such under federal law, but Florida has recently made it legal for state residents to possess and use small amounts of marijuana, provided they have a valid license and prescription from a doctor. Additionally, Miami-Dade County is one of many localities around Florida which has decriminalized the possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis for personal use. Decriminalization means the offense is punishable only as a civil citation and not as a crime—although possession of marijuana is still against the law at the state level. A Kendall drug attorney can explain in more detail how a controlled substance’s legal categorization could affect the outcome of a drug-related criminal case.
Simple possession of over 20 grams of marijuana or of the specified amounts of other substances listed below is considered a third-degree felony in Florida:
Possessing any controlled substance with intent to sell is generally a second-degree felony, and possession of over 10 grams of substances like fentanyl can be a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years of imprisonment. Support from a tenacious criminal defense lawyer can make a huge difference in your ability to fight back effectively against drug charges of all kinds in Kendall.
The right approach to contesting criminal allegations related to controlled substances can vary substantially from case to case. Without guidance from someone who knows through successful past experiences how to fight drug charges of all shapes and sizes, you are likely to have an extremely difficult time avoiding life-altering criminal penalties, let alone getting an optimal result from your case.
Retaining a Kendall drug lawyer should be the priority of anyone arrested for or under suspicion of possessing, selling, or making illegal substances in Miami-Dade. Reach out to our office today to set up your free, confidential strategy session. The Rossen Law Firm team is ready to get to work for you.
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