When the Lake County authorities arrest you for drug possession, it can set in motion a legal process that can feel confusing and dehumanizing. Depending on the circumstances, you may face anywhere from days to years in jail and have to pay costly fines. However, criminal justice laws require the government to follow a strict process when investigating and arresting you for having drugs in your possession. If they do not follow the proper procedure, you could use this to try to minimize the consequences or dismiss the accusations.
Instead of taking on the full force of the government by yourself, consider working with a seasoned Lake County drug possession lawyer. We appreciate the unique struggles you may be facing, such as potentially losing your job, your freedoms, and your rights. Our reliable drug defense attorneys are not here to judge you or anyone else for picking up charges—we ensure a fair administration of justice so you can go back to living your life.
As discussed in Florida Statutes § 893.13, it is illegal for someone to have drugs with the intention of selling, using, making, or delivering them. For example, if you have cocaine in your pocket and are driving to a friend’s house with it, the police may charge you with possession with intent to deliver. For some substances—like methamphetamines—you can also get in trouble for possessing ingredients used to make it, as explained in Fla. Stat. § 893.149.
Violating one of the drug possession laws may be either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the type of substance, the reason the authorities believe you had the drugs, and your past criminal record. Fla. Stat. § 893.03 outlines where different products fall on each of the five schedules. Under this scheme, a small amount of codeine or opium may fall under the Schedule V category, but acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl (a variation of fentanyl, also called hydrochloride) is on the Schedule I list.
A conviction for possession of a Schedule V drug—like 100 milligrams or less of opium per 100 grams—may be a misdemeanor; however, if you get convicted of having a Schedule I substance, you may be looking at a second- or third-degree felony. Regardless of the severity of the offenses, it is vital to have a knowledgeable drug possession lawyer in Lake County to defend you. Our advocates have years of experience and could comb through records and laws to find effective ways to tear down the prosecution’s case.
The exact sentence you may get if the court decides you are guilty depends on the specific circumstances of your case. For example, if this is your first time getting arrested and it is a straight possession charge for a Schedule V substance—meaning other variables, such as a weapon, were not involved—the judge may saddle you with a misdemeanor. Under Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082 and 775.083, you may be looking at up to one year of jail time and up to $1,000 in fines.
However, a felony may put you behind bars for much longer. For example, a second-degree felony conviction may result in up to 15 years in prison. Additionally, under Fla. Stat. § 775.084, the court may increase your total sentence, the charge against you, and the fines you are to pay if you have a criminal background, such as multiple drug charges on your record. A lawyer on our Lake County team could help craft arguments to get the judge to give you a lighter sentence or, if applicable, dismiss the drug possession charges entirely.
Getting hit with a charge for possession of illegal drugs can bring a variety of consequences to your life. Instead of fighting these accusations on your own, consider the benefits of working with a legal professional you can believe in and who has your back.
Our law firm ensures every individual gets personalized attention from the attorney assigned to their case. We understand your concerns about how to get out of this situation. Get in touch with a Lake County drug possession lawyer today to schedule an initial consultation with a criminal defense attorney you can trust.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
