Drug Related Crimes

Both federal and Florida law prohibit the manufacture, sale, possession and use of certain chemical substances such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin just to name a few. Florida law also prohibits the possession of paraphernalia used in conjunction with such substances. For example, it may be illegal to possess a pipe used to smoke methamphetamines.
Violating federal or state drug laws often carries with it severe penalties such as jail or prison time. Many drug related offenses involve substantial minimum mandatory prison sentences. A conviction in Florida for certain drug related offenses may also result in the person being convicted losing his or her driver license for a period of time.

Possession of an illegal narcotic can be actual or constructive. Actual possession means that the individual had the illegal substance on their person, such as in the pocket of their jeans. Constructive possession occurs when: 1) a person had contraband near, but not on, their person; 2) the individual knew of the presence of the substance and of its illicit nature; and 3) the person was exercising dominion and control over the illegal item.

Many times contraband is found by law enforcement in a vehicle that is occupied by multiple people. On such occasions, law enforcement sometimes arrests the wrong person for the drugs. Often, the government is unable to prove who among the passengers of the vehicle actually possessed the drugs.

Having an attorney knowledgeable of drug related laws can often make a very real difference in the resolution of a case. When the stakes are so high, it is imperative that a person accused of a drug offense seek the aid of such a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.

Theft Related Crimes

There are many acts that may constitute a Florida theft crime. Speaking generally, theft is an umbrella term that essentially refers to the taking of or depriving of someone else’s property or services without their permission or through fraud. Florida theft crimes come in varying degrees of severity.

There are many factors that decide the degree of severity of the Florida theft crime. The severity of the Florida theft crime may vary based upon the value of the property or services stolen from a misdemeanor to a first degree felony. Understanding what amount was stolen can play an important part in the resulting conviction. It is important to make sure that if you have been accused of theft you understand your rights as well as what counts as theft in the eyes of the law.

White Collar Crimes

If you have been charged with a white collar crime it is important to realize the severity of the charge and what comes with it. These crimes are often financially motivated and found in political and corporate environments.