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While many states nationwide have significantly loosened restrictions on possessing controlled substances for personal use, Florida lags. Any allegation of a drug-related criminal offense should be taken very seriously.
In such a situation, you will want help from an expert Sunrise drug lawyer. From beginning to end of your legal proceedings, the dedicated defense attorneys at Rossen Law Firm will tenaciously protect your rights and pursue a positive case result. We know that drug cases are complex, and we are here to help you move forward through this time.
Most of the time, possession of any amount of a controlled substance, as defined by Florida Statutes § 893.03, is treated under FL Stat. § 893.13 as a felony offense. A notable exception here is possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, which is considered a first-degree misdemeanor. Depending on the type of controlled substance involved, someone may be prosecuted for a third-degree felony or a second-degree felony. The maximum sanctions someone might face for a drug possession conviction might range from five years in prison and a $5,000 fine to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A person may be prosecuted for “possession with intent to distribute” if they are found to have a substantial amount of a controlled substance beyond what would generally be reasonable for personal use—for example, over 28 grams of cocaine or over 14 grams of methamphetamine. Drug distribution allegations are typically prosecuted as second-degree felonies, and certain aggravating factors like distribution near a school zone or drug trafficking may be treated as first-degree felonies. These are punishable by up to 30 years of imprisonment plus a $10,000 fine. Support from an experienced Sunrise drug defense attorney can be especially crucial to proactively handling these accusations.
Florida is notorious for enforcing its drug laws especially harshly, which means that courts do not always go easy on people charged with first-time drug possession in the same way that other states do. They do not pull punches with people accused of drug distribution or trafficking. That said, there is still a lot that the best drug defense lawyers can do to reduce the severity of a drug possession charge levied against someone in Sunrise who has never been convicted of criminal wrongdoing.
An expert attorney can also negotiate for less severe sentencing through discussions with the prosecution. This could mean a plea bargain, pursuing community service and probation as alternatives to prison time, including mandatory drug addiction treatment as a condition for suspending a prison sentence, or various other approaches that a capable lawyer can discuss in more detail during a private consultation.
Dealing with drug allegations in Florida is a complex process, whether you have been through the legal system before or not. Fortunately, we are here to help.
Effectively contesting drug charges begins with retaining top legal help. Our award-winning team knows how to handle these cases, and we are ready to fight for the future you deserve. Call today to learn how a skilled Sunrise drug lawyer can assist you.
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