Accused of Drug Possession? We Will Help You Today
Have you been accused of possessing an illegal drug or controlled substance?
Unless the drug was a small quantity of marijuana or a Schedule V controlled substance (Palm Beach County’s lowest level drug schedule), you are now facing serious felony charges with consequences that will change your life forever.
Act Now to Protect Your Freedom & Reputation
Regardless of the drug involved, you are now facing prison time, crippling fines, and a lifetime of restrictions on your freedom due to being labeled a “felon”.
A criminal record can alter your life’s path permanently, and you must take any drug-related charge seriously.
It doesn’t matter if your drug possession charges are for cocaine, heroin, LSD, or one of the many prescription drugs that require a valid prescription – the legal consequences can be equally life-altering.
It is absolutely critical that you act fast. Contact an experienced drug possession lawyer that can exercise every available option to fight your drug possession charges.
Your freedom depends on taking the proper action now!
Drug possession lawyer – West Palm Beach
When you’re facing charges of possession of an illegal drug or controlled substance, contacting an experienced West Palm Beach Drug Possession Lawyer is the best decision you can make.
Our team has decades of experience defending charges related to Florida drug crimes. We understand the landscape of drug charges in Palm Beach better than anyone.
We can provide expert legal advice in your matter and ensure that your experience navigating the complex criminal justice system is as seamless as possible.
Rest assured, Meltzer & Bell, P.A., will Aggressively Defend your Legal Rights
Whether you fight your charges or seek an alternative option, like Drug Court, we will be walking beside you on every step of your journey and looking out for your best interests during this difficult time.
Our experienced team will help you achieve the best possible outcome in your Florida drug crimes case with expert legal advice.
Prescription Drugs or Illegal Drug Crime – We Can Help
We’ve helped hundreds of clients overcome the life-altering event of drug possession or controlled substance charges. Our team understands the devastating emotional and financial impact of facing a drug possession charge.
There’s a lot at stake, and you need an experienced Florida Criminal Defense Attorney to help you navigate the legal system throughout this challenging period.
How Meltzer & Bell, P.A. Will Help Fight Your Drug Charges
Uniquely positioned to help fight your drug possession charges, Meltzer & Bell, P.A. is comprised of a former prosecutor and former public defender team.
After years of going head-to-head, we joined forces to provide high-quality legal representation to those accused of drug crimes. We’ve been actively involved in Florida drug law from both sides and intimately understand the legal process.
Our decades of combined drug crime experience allow us to understand every angle of your drug charges and provide you with the very best chance of success in your case.
Call us today at (561) 557-8686 to set up a FREE consultation.
We proudly represent clients in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and anyone charged with a drug crime in Palm Beach County.
We also represent defendants facing drug crimes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Information Center for South Florida Drug Possession Charges
- Definition of Possession Charges for Palm Beach Residents
- Controlled substance(s) under the Florida Statutes Annotated § 893.03 include:
- Third Degree Felony Charges
- Drug Trafficking Charges
- Drug Trafficking Quantities Florida Law
- Actual vs. Constructive Possession
- Penalties for Drug Possession in Palm Beach County
- Building the Best Defense for Your Palm Beach County Narcotics Possession Charges
- FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Definition of Possession Charges for Palm Beach Residents
Under Florida Statutes Annotated § 893.13, it is illegal to have either actual possession or constructive possession of any of the drugs listed as controlled substances under Florida law without legal permission.
Legal permission may be a prescription held for the controlled substance involved.
Controlled substance(s) under the Florida Statutes Annotated § 893.03 include:
- Methamphetamines
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- LSD (Acid)
- Synthetic Drugs
- Xanax
- Vicodin
- Codeine
Third Degree Felony Charges
Under Florida law, possession of illegal drugs or a controlled substance (unless the narcotic falls under Schedule V) is a third-degree felony resulting in severe penalties if you are convicted.
Schedule V includes cough medications with a low amount of codeine, or 20 grams or less of marijuana, which is considered a first-degree misdemeanor.
Drug Trafficking Charges
If you are caught in possession of larger amounts of some narcotics or controlled substances, this may lead to drug trafficking charges instead of drug possession charges.
Trafficking charges carry significant penalties, including mandatory minimum sentences.
For instance, if you are caught with illegal substances exceeding the below quantities, this will lead to a minimum three-year prison sentence.
Drug Trafficking Quantities Florida Law
- 28 grams or more of cocaine
- 10 grams or more of MDMA
- 1 gram or more of LSD
Actual vs. Constructive Possession
A person may be charged with possession after Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputies, Florida Highway Patrol or Local Police allege to have found the illegal drugs or controlled substances in the person’s actual or constructive possession.
Actual Possession Charge
Actual possession means the narcotics were allegedly found on the suspect’s person. For instance, West Palm Beach Police may say that they stopped the suspect, patted you down and found cocaine in your pocket.
Constructive Possession Charge
Constructive possession means the illegal drugs or controlled substances were allegedly found in a location where the suspect has exclusive control.
For example, you may be charged after Boca Raton Police say they pulled you over and found ecstasy in your trunk. To prove constructive possession, Prosecutors will allege that even though the drugs were not within reach, they were in a place where only you would have placed them.
Penalties for Drug Crime Convictions in Florida
Third Degree Felony Drug Crimes
Under Florida law, penalties for committing a third-degree felony include up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. You may also have your driver’s license suspended for two years.
First Degree Misdemeanor Drug Crimes
For a first-degree misdemeanor, you could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Drug Court Vs. Fighting Charges
For possession charges, Drug Court may be an option for you in Palm Beach County. Drug Court is an alternative program that allows you to progress through treatment, regularly check in with the court, and comply with other restrictions for a year or more.
Your drug charges will be dismissed at the end of the Drug Court program.
Drug Court Limitations
Drug court may not be the best option for your charges, and selecting this option requires a consultation to discuss the unique circumstances of your case.
To enter the Drug Court program, you must plead guilty to your charges. However, if the evidence is insufficient or illegally obtained, one of our drug defense attorneys can move to suppress the evidence and have the charges dismissed.
We’re With You at Every Stage
If you choose to fight the charges, Meltzer & Bell, P.A. criminal defense lawyers, will fight vigorously for your rights.
If you choose Drug Court, our law firm will work with prosecutors to help ensure that you will be admitted to the program.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Which prescription drugs fall within the Florida schedule ii controlled substance definition?
Schedule II is the highest classification for drugs used throughout Florida and includes hydromorphone, methadone, meperidine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Schedule II also includes narcotics: morphine, opium, codeine, and hydrocodone.
Can you help with possession with intent to sell charges?
Yes, Meltzer & Bell, P.A can help deliver a robust defense to all drug-related crimes, including possession with intent to sell charges. Our team of specialized drug possession attorneys will leverage decades of combined experience to assist you in achieving the best outcome in your drug crime case.
Possession with intent to sell is a severe charge in Florida, and we recommend contacting our team as soon as possible to ensure the best result in your case.
Which drug-related offenses have you successfully defended in the past?
Our experienced team of drug possession lawyers has defended every common drug offense in the state of Florida, from trafficking cocaine to methamphetamine possession to drug paraphernalia charges. We understand Florida drug laws and will fiercely defend your freedom regardless of the drug offenses you’re facing.
Building the Strongest Defense for Your Palm Beach County Drug Possession Charges
The truth is: any felony is a serious charge that can change your life forever, and most drug possession cases are felonies. If you face charges for possession of a controlled substance, the best decision you can make is to have skilled legal counsel that understands the process.
A West Palm Beach drug possession lawyer from Meltzer & Bell, P.A. law firm can aggressively fight your drug crime charges and ensure you achieve the best possible outcome. Call us today at (561) 557-8686 to set up a FREE consultation.
