Florida Tourist Arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver

The Charges

The defendant was on vacation in Florida and traveling at a speed of 80mph in a 45mph zone. An unmarked sheriff’s vehicle chased the Defendant’s truck and witnessed him tossing an object out his window. Upon conducting a traffic stop, police discovered the Defendant was in possession of unprescribed bottles of Alprazolam. Police arrested the tourist and charged him with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Under Florida law, one is committing a felony when they are in possession of a prescription that was not prescribed for them. The penalties and consequences are very harsh in Florida. Not only will you have to pay a maximum fine of $5,000, but you will also face jail time of up to five years and five years of probation. This criminal charge will go on your record, which could haunt you for the rest of your life. You may not be able to obtain employment, be turned down for financial aid or the college you wish to attend, or even not be allowed to hold certain professional licenses. 

Possession of Paraphernalia

A first-degree misdemeanor in Florida, possession of paraphernalia is defined as any item that is used to manufacture, produce, transport, contain, produce, compound, store, package, repackage, process, prepare, test, analyze, inject, inhale, ingest, or introduce any illegal or controlled substance.

Examples of common drug paraphernalia include:

• Small mixing bowls
• Pipes (wooden, metal, plastic, etc)
• Balloons
• Metal spoons
• Rolling papers
• Cutting devices
• Containers
• Blenders
• Hashish heads
• Scales and balances
• Testing devices
• Air-driven pipes
• Envelopes
• Baggies
• Needles or syringes
• Bongs

Penalties for possession of drug paraphernalia include up to one year in jail, one year of probation, and a fine of $1,000.

Florida’s Own Musca Law Firm

If you have been arrested for controlled substances or possession of paraphernalia, Musca Law Firm here in Florida wants to talk to you. We provide all our clients with a free initial case consultation. Once we gather the facts from you, we will begin working on a strong defense for your case. Our attorneys are skilled at what they do and have well over 150 years of combined legal experience behind them.  

Our attorneys have the desire to win your case for you. We want you to have the best possible outcome. That is why we will negotiate as hard as we can with the prosecution to get you what you deserve.

Please call us at (888) 484-5057 to set up your appointment today. We have offices located in various cities of Florida, such as New Port Richey, Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Clearwater, and many other cities for your convenience. 

RESULT: The Musca Law Defense Attorney successfully negotiated on behalf of our client and the State issued a Notice of Nolle Prosequi, dismissing the charges against our Client. Because of our efforts, the out-of-state resident did not have to return to Florida and was eligible to have his records sealed!