Prescription Drug Criminal Defense Lawyer St. Petersburg, FL
The whole country has seen a huge increase in pharmaceutical drug crime cases over the last several years. Did you know that according to the National Institute for Health (NIH), over 20% of Americans use or have used prescription medication for a non-health related issue of some kind? Unfortunately, this is a growing area of illegal activity for both adults and minors.
Florida law enforcement is increasingly putting more effort into curbing the problem to prescription drug abuse and distribution. If you have been charged with a pharmaceutical drug crime, understanding your rights from a skilled criminal defense attorney is the first step towards facing the charges against you.
What Are the Prescription Drug Crime Laws In Florida?
Florida State Law dictates that a person may not possess or possess with the intent to sell, dispense or deliver any type of habit forming, toxic harmful drugs or prescription drugs unless the prescription was dispensed or delivered by a licensed professional with the authority to do so.
If an individual is charged with a pharmaceutical drug crime for the possession of prescription drugs, the charge is a misdemeanor in the second degree. If convicted, the defendant may face 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
If a person has been charged with possession of prescription drugs with the intent to sell or distribute, the consequences involve a third degree felony. If the defendant is convicted, the punishment can be up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
What Are The Most Abused Prescription Drugs in Florida?
- Codeine
- Ativan
- Ritalin
- Xanax
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycontin
- Valium
- Adderall
- Vicodin
- Percocet
- Morphine
William B. Bennett, P.A. for Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Defense
With all the press that has garnered around pharmaceutical drug crime, as well as doctor shopping and Canadian pharmacies shipping over the border, police are going to be on heightened alert for these types of crimes.
Have you been charged with a prescription drug crime? If so, it is critical that you get help with your defense from an experienced criminal defense team like the Law Office of William B. Bennett, P.A. They can help you understand your rights and navigate around the prosecution’s case.
William B. Bennett has over 30 years defending all types of criminal cases including pharmaceutical drug crimes. As a client, your best interest is our top priority. We will fight aggressively to protect your rights including moving for a case dismissal, verdicts of not guilty or even reduced sentence times.
Call us at (727) 821-8000 to discuss your case for free or contact us on our website here. We proudly defend clients in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area.
There are hundreds of prescription drugs that are abused or illegally distributed every day in Florida. However the ones most often associated with high level pharmaceutical drug crime include the following: