Fighting Criminal Offenses in Florida

If you have received drug charges in Florida, there are certain details you should know in order to protect your rights – whether it’s possession, delivery or drug trafficking.

Possession
Know the difference between actual possession and constructive possession. Police officers often find drugs in a car with multiple passengers. If no one claims responsibility for the drugs, the officer will arrest everyone in the vehicle. This type of case has many defenses. The prosecution must prove that you were either in actual possession or constructive possession of the drugs.

Actual Possession means the drugs were found on your person, or you had immediate control of the drugs. In this situation with the car, you are not in actual possession and could not be convicted under this theory.

Constructive Possession means that you knew that the drugs were present and you had the ability to control the drugs. In this situation, if you tell the officer you knew nothing about the drugs or you couldn’t get to the drugs, then you would have a valid defense.

Delivery
Delivery means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of drugs from one person to another. Delivery of a controlled substance is a felony with potential prison terms starting at 5 years

Trafficking
Florida drug trafficking charges can be the most severe of all drug offenses. There is a minimum mandatory prison term of 3 to 15 years. Drug trafficking charges are determined by the weight or amount of drugs possessed.

Florida drug laws are complex. The consequences are life changing. This is why you need a qualified Tampa criminal defense attorney to handle your case.

Criminal Offense: Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are some of the most common criminal offenses. It’s easy to lose concentration and go faster than the speed limit, fail to make a complete stop at a stop sign, forget to signal before turning, or park in the wrong spot. With all the different ways to have a traffic violation, however, there’s also various ways to fight your traffic violation.

So that begs the question, "Should I just pay my Florida traffic ticket or should I fight my speeding ticket?" In many cases, the chances of success are much greater than most people think. Here’s what you need to know if you’re charged with a traffic violation in Florida.

If you pay your traffic ticket, you admit guilt and it will be recorded on your driving record. You’ll be assessed points for moving violations that could lead to a suspension of your driving privilege and fines. Your insurance company will get this information and will use it to increase your rates and premiums.

But the good news is, there are many ways to fight traffic citations that most people are unaware of. The law is on your side, so make sure to contact a good criminal defense lawyer to evaluate your case and defend your rights.

Tampa Criminal Attorney
A defense attorney with experience in handling 1000s of cases in his or her county is invaluable to beating criminal charges.