Drug crimes are treated seriously by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors alike in Florida, say the Tampa criminal attorneys at Musca Law. In fact, Florida drug crimes are often subject to tough mandatory minimum prison sentences, even for relatively small amounts of illegal substances. For example, selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school carries a mandatory minimum three year prison sentence, says Tampa criminal attorney John Musca. Likewise, trafficking - which often means possession of a certain amount of - of some prescription medications, such as those containing hydrocodone, also carry lengthy mandatory minimum sentences, some as long as 25 years.
Drug crimes are most frequently nonviolent criminal offenses, the Tampa criminal attorneys at Musca Law have found during their decades of combined experience. Most criminal defendants facing drug charges are simply charged with possession of a controlled substance, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, Percocet, ecstasy, or other drugs. Selling the drugs can result in higher penalties, especially if the sales occur within close proximity to certain locations, such as schools, churches, and day-care centers.
Marijuana possession, even of small amounts, carries stiff penalties in Florida. If a court of law finds a defendant guilty of possession of marijuana in an amount less than 20 grams, he faces up to one year in jail for the first-degree misdemeanor. Additionally, this criminal offense will also result in the revocation of the person's driver's license for two years. Trafficking in marijuana or cannabis (see Florida Statute 893.135) can result in mandatory minimum prison sentences of three to 15 years, depending on quantity. Mandatory minimum sentences for other drugs can run as high as 25 years, just for possession (for example, see Florida Statute 893.135).
If you have been arrested for the sale, trafficking, or possession of a controlled substance, contact the Tampa criminal lawyers at Musca Law to discuss your legal rights.
