Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the country and despite its recent legalization for medical use, it is still illegal for recreational use in Florida. As a result, those found in possession of marijuana will be arrested and prosecuted by the state. As someone facing drug charges, you may feel as if your options are limited, but it’s vital to know that legal professionals are standing by ready to fight for your rights.
If you were arrested for possession of marijuana, you may not know what is going to happen next. Fortunately, the experienced marijuana defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm do. We are here to make sure an arrest on marijuana charge does not haunt you for the rest of your life.
We defend against marijuana-related crimes like marijuana cultivation, possession of concentrated marijuana, possessing over 20 grams of marijuana, possessing under 20 grams of marijuana, and more.
Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony in Florida. Depending on the quantity of marijuana and other factors, you could face more serious charges such as possession with intent to sell, drug sales and delivery, or drug trafficking.
Per Florida Statute § 893.13, possession of cannabis under 20 grams is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida. However, even a misdemeanor conviction can be severely damaging as you would be required to disclose that record every time you apply for a job. It may even be used as grounds for termination if you are currently employed. If you are a student, it could result in loss of eligibility for student grants and loans which may result in you having to pay for schooling out of pocket. Such issues, however, should be the least of your worries as a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession carries serious criminal penalties.
As your legal counsel, it is our responsibility to present defense options for the charges you face. Marijuana charges, in particular, have numerous applicable defenses as such cases oftentimes hinge on search and seizure issues. A few common areas to look into when crafting a defense include:
Your criminal defense lawyer can present a case on your behalf that avoids probation, drivers license suspension, and possible incarceration. Through the implementation of proven effective defense strategies like questioning the weight of the State’s case and police conduct, we can have penalties reduced to a small fine instead of jail time. Possessing a medical marijuana card can also crumble the State’s case individual’s who suffer from anxiety or PTSD are often issued medical marijuana cards to legally possess and use cannabis in Florida.
Depending on your criminal history, you may also be eligible for first-offender treatment which could resolve the charges without a conviction and in many cases result in charges being dropped or dismissed.
An arrest on marijuana charges is a big deal because you have a life ahead of you. If you are convicted, you could end up facing severe penalties that include driver’s license suspension, probation or jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
Our team of Orlando marijuana possession defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm has over 100 years of combined legal experience and has represented juveniles and adults arrested on marijuana charges throughout the Central Florida area. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
