How to Find Information on the Penalty for Dealing Marijuana in Florida

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. It is a psychoactive drug that comes from the Cannabis plant, and it's also illegal to use as a recreational drug in Florida. Anyone caught distributing, packaging or producing it may face heavy penalties.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Legal counsel

1. Obtain the details of the charges against you. Anyone caught dealing less than 20 g of marijuana in Florida may only be charged with a misdemeanor offense and a penalty of 1 year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Dealing over 20 g, though, carries penalties of 3 to 15 years in prison and up to $200,000 in fines.
2. Familiarize yourself with federal marijuana laws. Offenders caught with more than 25 lbs. of marijuana in Florida are subject to federal trafficking laws, which specify a mandatory minimum sentence.
3. Examine where you were arrested. Anyone caught dealing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a Florida school, day care, church or public park could face double penalties, even for a first-time offense.
4. Search the Florida penal codes for relevant information on the penalty for dealing marijuana. The Florida Legislature Web site lists state penal codes online (see Resources below).
5. Find a qualified criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Your lawyer will be able to alert you to the potential penalties you face as a result of your charge. Since penalties may vary by county, a local lawyer is a vital source for accurate information.
6. Learn about the free and discounted legal services available to you. The Florida Bar Web site has a list of legal clinics throughout the state of Florida to help you find services in your area (see Resources below).
7. Protect your rights as an American citizen through the help of an advocacy group like the American Civil Liberties Union (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If you are arrested for dealing marijuana, the arresting officers must read you your Miranda rights. These include the right to remain silent and the right to suitable legal counsel.
• Although marijuana may seem like a minor offense, it's important that you understand it can be considered a felony in certain cases. If you have a felony conviction on your criminal record, you may find that your chances of securing employment in the future are greatly diminished. Employers have the right to refuse to hire anyone on the grounds of a previous felony conviction, even if the sentence was successfully served.