Drug possession charges are probably some of the most common criminal charges that are prosecuted in Florida, and throughout the country. The so-called War on Drugs never really ended it seems, even though some states are taking action to reduce the severity of some drug-related conduct, like simple possession. However, in Florida, if you are charged with drug possession, you’re usually looking at a fairly serious criminal case. So, what are your options when facing drug possession charges?
Well, at first you may not feel like you have many options. It might seem pretty straightforward – either someone possessed illegal drugs or they didn’t. But, in reality, a few different defense strategies may be possible in any given case. For example, every criminal defendant has constitutional rights that must be protected. If the illegal drugs in question were found due to an unlawful search by law enforcement officials, that evidence might be “suppressed” and, ultimately, the case might be dismissed.
Less common, but equally potent, is a defense in which the defendant is able to show that he was coerced to hold the illegal drugs for another person, or can show that he was under duress and had no choice in the situation. The facts in such a claim will be crucial.
Weighing your options
At our law firm, we understand that Florida residents who have been arrested may be feeling quite a bit of fear and anxiety, particularly about what the future might hold. We do our best to help our clients weigh the possible options for their criminal defense strategy. For more information, please visit the criminal defense overview section of our law firm’s website.
