JONATHAN MICHAEL ROWE Attorney at Law
Experienced, Aggressive, Affordable Representation
Giving compassionate legal advice during difficult times
Charges of drug possession in the state of Florida are common and can happen to people who are not lifelong criminals, but are simply normal, honest people who have made a mistake. Law enforcement officials and prosecutors, however, take these charges very seriously and will aggressively seek convictions and harsh penalties. You should not take any arrest or criminal charge lightly, even for drug possession.
If you are caught in possession of any drugs you will have your license suspended for 2 years
I have more than 28 years of legal experience with all types of drug crimes and other criminal offenses, including drug possession and sales. I have handled cases ranging from 17 tons of Marijuana and 1000 Gallons of Hashish Oil to simple possession of less than 20 grams of Marijuana. Whether you have been arrested for the possession of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine or other controlled substances, a conviction can have a substantial, negative impact on your future.
Being arrested for possession of a controlled substance is often coupled with a charge for possession of paraphernalia. The paraphernalia definition is extremely broad in Florida which allows for just about anything to be included as a paraphernalia charge upon your arrest. The list for paraphernalia includes all equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or designed for use in nearly any point in growing, storing, transporting, or ingestion, injection, or inhalation of the drugs.
Florida has prosecuted individuals for being in possession of a controlled substance without a prescription at an increasing rate over the years. As the state has ramped up the intensity of prosecutions it has become even more important to hire an attorney to deal with the state at every moment of the case.
Florida Statute 893.13(6)(a) states that it is unlawful to be in actual or constructive possession of a controlled substance unless it was lawfully obtained from a medical practitioner acting in their professional capacity pursuant to a valid prescription.
In addition to drug crimes of trafficking, cultivation and distribution, drug possession charges carry significant penalties that could stay with you for the rest of your life. These penalties include:
Fines
2 year Driver's License Revocation
Jail or prison time
Probation
Community Service
Permanent mark on your criminal record
Lack of access to financial aid, employment opportunities and other life opportunities
The sooner that you contact an experienced lawyer about your charges, the more that your attorney can do to build a strong defense for you. By getting involved early on in the process, I can thoroughly investigate your case and have a greater impact on getting your charges reduced or dismissed.
At my firm, I will analyze the initial stop or encounter with police, any search of your person, home or vehicle, and other circumstances that led to your arrest. If the search and seizure of evidence was illegal, I will work to get that evidence thrown out.