Saturday 9 February 2013

Do Not Take Drug Possession Lightly, Consult an Attorney for Advice

Many states may have legalized or decriminalized marijuana but, in Florida, it is still a serious and punishable criminal offense. Therefore, being caught with drugs or even drug related Paraphernalia can lead to imprisonment up to 5 years a maximum fine of $5000, and a temporary suspension of your driver’s license for up to 2 years. The state can also strip you of certain other privileges depending on the amount of drugs in your possession, which could spell the difference between being treated as a minor misdemeanor and being convicted on a felony charge. Since possession of drugs is considered a major punishable crime the best legal advice is that you do not risk possessing illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, weed or hashish even for recreational or medicinal purposes when you are in Orlando.

As any Orlando drug lawyer will tell you the law does not treat possession of drugs lightly in the state of Florida; therefore, it makes sense, even if you are carrying pain killers or some other medicine which may be construed as an illegal drug, to carry the necessary authorization such as a doctor’s prescription or medical certificate that clarifies your right to possess the drugs.

In most drug related cases, it is carelessness that leads to being caught. There is many a conscientious Orlando drug lawyer who will advise that possessing drugs is not the main offense but getting caught is and then confessing to it so that the law enforcement authorities can make a case is the biggest mistake you can make. There have been several cases where automobiles have been pulled over for a routine driver’s license check and the authorities stumble upon a small amount of dope stashed in the car, and what may have been a simple case of an expired driver’s license becomes a drug related charge. Sometimes drivers of rental cars have been charged with possession. The important thing to note is that you should speak to a lawyer when you are charged with possession.

A competent and knowledgeable Orlando drug lawyer will be in, a better position to advise you about your rights, and how you can minimize the criminal charges or even dismiss them. Unless the drugs have been found on your person, there is always the possibility that the drugs does not belong to the accused. Despite the law enforcement authorities that tell you otherwise; pleading guilty is not necessarily the best option. Your lawyer can assess the situation in which you were caught, and advise if the evidence against you is strong or flimsy so that you do not confess to a crime and implicate yourself.

Another important thing is the amount of drugs found. Though mere possession is a serious crime, the quantity of the drug may define if the charges are considered trafficking, which could lead, to higher penalties, and the accused could be facing several years of imprisonment. Even drug related Paraphernalia such as smoking pipes or clips without the absence of the drug itself could be used against you as a minor misdemeanor. Therefore, the best thing to do when caught or in doubt is to consult a lawyer.

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