Drug possession charges are serious criminal charges that can carry serious potential penalties and consequences for the accused individual. For individuals accused of drug possession, who are facing the serious potential penalties and consequences associated with drug possession charges, it is important to be familiar with what drug possession charges include.
Drug possession refers to ownership and control over the illegal drug or controlled substance. There are different types of drug possession it is helpful to be familiar with. Actual possession refers to having the illegal drug or controlled substance in the accused individual’s hand, pocket or container or bag that is in the accused individual’s hand or on their person; constructive possession refers to having the illegal drug or controlled substance in a location the accused individual has control over but it is concealed; and joint possession refers to two or more individuals having possession over the drug or controlled substance.
Federal and state laws in Florida prohibit possession of illegal drugs including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, LSD and other drugs as well. In addition, prescription drugs illegally obtained and sold can also result in criminal drug possession charges and penalties. Prescription drugs that can lead to illegal drug possession charges in certain circumstances include oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone, among others. In some circumstances, large amounts of drugs packaged and possessed in a certain manner can lead to drug trafficking charges which can carry even more serious potential penalties and consequences.
Because drug possession charges are so serious, and can potentially rob the accused individual of their freedom and future, accused individuals facing drug charges should be familiar with their important criminal defense rights at every stage of the process. Criminal defense protections can help mitigate the criminal charges the accused individual is facing, or the potential penalties they are facing, in some circumstances so it is important to understand those rights and how to assert them.