Juvenile Possession of a Controlled Substance

Since the late 1970’s, the state of Florida has become a hotspot for the transportation, manufacture and distribution of drugs. After an influx of drugs, specifically South American cocaine, in the 1980’s drug laws in Florida became much more tough in order to deter the flow of drugs throughout the state. Additionally, South Florida faced an epidemic of prescription pill abuse and addiction because of walk-in pain clinics, known as “pill mills.” For years, Florida law did not monitor the flow and sale of prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and other opiate-based prescription pills that mimic heroin, among a multitude of other controlled substances. This caused a boom in illicit consumption and sale of prescription pills not only in Florida, but across the Southeastern United States. Many people became addicted to prescription pills because they were made so easily available by pain clinics. It is for these reasons that Florida law is now very tough on drug laws when it comes to prescription pills. When juveniles experiment with drugs, they often do not fully understand the severity of the laws surrounding prescription pills and find themselves stuck with a felony charge in adult court facing tough mandatory minimum sentences in prison. The South Florida juvenile criminal defense attorneys at The Ansara Law Firm know that these harsh laws are designed to crack down on crooked pain clinics and drug dealers- not first-time youthful offenders. Call our attorneys immediately to ensure that your child is treated fairly by the justice system and given the second chance that they deserve.

The most commonly abused prescription drug is oxycodone. When law enforcement agents charge defendants with possession of oxycodone or any other controlled substance, it is important to note that they measure the amount based on the combined weight of the pills that the controlled substance is present in, not the dosage of the actual drug in each. Possession of any less than four grams of oxycodone, even as little as one pill, in Florida is a felony of the third degree. Even for a simple possession of oxycodone, offenders face a combination of up to five years probation, five years in Florida state prison or a fine of up to $5,000. Possession of 7 grams or more of oxycodone is considered to be trafficking under Florida law. Under Florida law, Trafficking in Oxycodone is a felony of the first degree. Depending on the amount, offenders could face any mandatory minimum prison sentence between 3 and 25 years in prison.

These mandatory minimum sentences are part of the State’s crackdown on prescription drug abuse in Florida. They are not intended to put youthful offenders in prison and ruin their lives, however some prosecutors are quick to send juvenile drug offenders to adult court where they will be sentenced. That is why it is imperative to retain the South Florida juvenile criminal defense attorneys at The Ansara Law Firm as soon as possible to prevent your child from being tried as an adult. Children have a unique capability for rehabilitation and reform that adults do not have. Adults have established a respect for the law, or apparent lack thereof, and act out of routine. Children, however are creating these habits in their teenaged years, and have the potential to kick bad habits like drug use while they are young and live perfectly productive lives afterwards. Kids make mistakes all the time, and the wrong mistake can ruin a child’s entire life if it is not handled properly. Don’t leave your child’s future up to the court- call our aggressive and experienced juvenile criminal defense lawyers to defend your child’s future in court and put them in juvenile drug court where they can be educated about drug abuse and the law, and most importantly, to have their records expunged. Juveniles who commit crimes and have a visible criminal arrest on their record are more likely to reoffend as adults than their peers who do not have a visible criminal history.

If you, your child, or the child of a friend or loved one have recently been charged with juvenile Possession of a Controlled Substance in the greater South Florida region, call The Ansara Law Firm immediately at (954) 761-4011 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your legal matter.