The senseless War on Drugs has made use of numerous scapegoats throughout the years to devastate entire communities in need of help, not punishment. In years past, marijuana was thought to be a dangerous “gateway drug” that corrupted the youth. Later, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act set mandatory prison sentences for drug offenses involving crack cocaine. Recently, the opioid epidemic has gripped the nation, and the Florida Legislature has passed laws designed to quell the possession of controlled substances, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.
If you’ve been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg or Clearwater, consult a drug crimes attorney in Clearwater from Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan.
When you think of a drug crime, you likely think of something akin to a scene from Scarface: a powerboat filled with packages of cocaine speeding through Florida waters. While drug trafficking is a serious crime that carries with it a minimum prison sentence, drug crimes hardly ever resemble their Hollywood depictions. More often a person is charged with carrying a small amount of an illegal drug. In addition to drug trafficking, here are the types of criminal drug charges in Florida:
Despite there being a smoke shop on virtually every street corner, Floridians can still be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, such as a pipe or bong, if there is even a miniscule amount of drug residue on the item. And despite the passing of Amendment 2, which makes medical marijuana legal, a person can still be charged and convicted of possessing this substance if they do not have a medical marijuana card.
The possession of most illegal drugs is a third-degree felony, no matter the amount. Possessing 20 grams or more of marijuana is considered a felony, and those found guilty can face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Possessing over 7 grams of oxycodone — just a handful of pills — can also result in a felony trafficking conviction. Penalties only grow as the severity of the crime increases.
At Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan, it’s our goal to avoid conviction whenever possible and guide clients through what is a difficult, unfamiliar, and stressful time. As former state prosecutors with decades of experience in criminal defense, Marc Pelletier and Tim Sullivan promise to use every resource available to secure the best possible outcome for your case. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime, turn to a drug defense attorney in Clearwater from Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan.
For a free consultation with a drug crimes attorney in Clearwater, please contact Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan at (727) 578-0303 today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
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