Drug Possession in Florida
West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer
Have you been charged with possession of drugs? I am West Palm Beach Criminal Attorney Phil Ridolfo, Jr. and for over 25 years I have been standing between the government and my clients, shielding them from attempts to take away their freedom and their rights.
If you are looking for top notch legal representation, I can offer the expertise and aggressiveness that you need to win your case. The first step is for you to get in touch with me, a West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer at The Law Offices of Phillip T. Ridolfo, Jr., at your earliest opportunity. The sooner you make contact, the sooner I can get to work evaluating your situation and coming up with options for your specific circumstances.
I am an experienced trial lawyer who has served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in hundreds of criminal cases, including drug crimes, in Palm Beach County. I know the tactics used by the prosecution to win cases and I know how to expose the flaws in their cases.
My firm will take the time to thoroughly examine elements of the investigation and charges against you including police reports, the charging facts and the testimony of witnesses. If there is a flaw in their case, I will work tirelessly to find it and make it work to your advantage in court.
Penalties for Drug Possession in West Palm Beach
Florida statutes impose stiff penalties for those convicted of drug possession.
The maximums include:
- Marijuana: 1 year jail-5 years imprisonment and $1,000-$5,000 fine
- Controlled Substances: 5-30 years imprisonment and $5,000-$10,000 fine
- Unlawful Chemical: 15 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine
- Drug Paraphernalia: 1 year in jail and $1,000 fine
- Prescription Drugs: depends on the exact substance, could be 3rd degree felony
Charges for possession should not be taken lightly. The penalties that can be imposed may remain with you for years to come and a wrongful conviction or one mistake can change your path substantially. In addition to a charge for possession, you may face increased penalties if the court believes that there is reason to suspect that you were planning to sell or distribute the illegal substance.
They may base this decision off of the presence of drug paraphernalia, such as baggies, measuring scales or other items. Drug crimes are considered a main focus for law enforcement; due to the high rate of this criminal activity, they put a lot of effort into finding and prosecuting those involved.
It is important that you make every effort to fight these charges to keep it off of your criminal record and I may be able to help. Call my office at (561) 475-2752!