Some time ago, in the state of Florida, there was a quick discussion whether or not those caught with the possession of drugs should have a lesser penalty as compared to those actually caught trafficking these illegal substances. This law would allow non-violent drug users and addicts to get the help and rehabilitation that they actually needed instead of keeping them locked up behind bars without the treatment that was necessary for them to live a better life.
The proposed bill allowed caught first time offenders who possessed a small amount of drugs to skip jail time and instead go to drug court. This would have saved Florida an estimated amount of $47 million dollars in the span of 5 years by sending 500 people less. The theory behind this was, the money saved would go to the treatment of drug users, proper counseling the users needed and drug courts. This bill was passed in September of 2015 and along with this, it would also allow incarcerated prisoners to plead for resentencing. However, until the bill has been approved, the sentence for those caught with the possession of drugs in Florida still remains harsh.
So, what is the possession of drugs according to Florida?
According to Florida state laws, a person who did not manufacture or sell an illegal drug is considered as a possessor and this can be punishable by law as a third-degree felony, however, a first-degree misdemeanor charge can be issued for the possession of marijuana of less than 20 grams.
Here’s what you should do if you are caught with the possession of an illegal substance:
REMEMBER YOUR MIRANDA RIGHTS
For any type of arrest, it is critical that you remember your Miranda rights. Aside from this, you must take them very seriously. The simplest way to this is to simply keep quiet and to inform your police officer that you will only answer questions in the presence of your lawyer.
PARTAKE IN PROGRAMS
When caught with less than 20 grams of marijuana, the perpetrator may qualify for a pretrial intervention program requires certain obligations between the state and the accused. It is always best to complete these programs in hopes that your case will be dropped.
If you have recently been caught with the possession of drugs, it is best to seek out help from the best lawyer in the state. Feel free to contact us and we would be more than willing to extend our services. You are always in good hands with us.
Roy J. Kahn, with years of legal experience in a wide variety of criminal law, heads a “boutique” firm, which means that your attorney is Roy J.Kahn, not a paralegal. If you have been charged or are about to be charged with a crime—or if you have been contacted to be a witness in a federal grand jury case, you need a qualified defense. You should consult with an attorney immediately and know that you have a right to make no statement until you have consulted with an attorney To contact Mr. Kahn, he can be reached at 305-358-7400.
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