Tampa Prescription Drugs Attorney

Attitudes and opinions about prescription drugs have varied over the years. The prevalence of prescription drug abuse has been highlighted by television programs which showcase the different stages of addiction. As a result, officials have taken a tougher stance against the unlawful possession of these substances. Many, however, still hold a mistaken belief that these drugs are not as serious as other illegal substances due to the fact that they can be prescribed by a doctor. The fact of the matter is that the unlawful use, possession, or sale of prescription pills can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges. The conviction may result in penalties such as fines, incarceration, and a tainted criminal history for life. It causes hindrance in the future when applying for a job, education, housing or loan, and other professional certifications and license. If you or any of your loved ones get arrested for such crimes, you must seek help from a seasoned criminal attorney at your earliest convenience. Omar Abdelghany is an expert on handling such cases; contact an experienced Tampa prescription drug attorney today. You can contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.

Lawyer Defending Tampa Residents Against Prescription Drug Charges

Florida prohibits the possession of a controlled substance unless accompanied by a valid prescription. Prescription drugs, like other controlled substances, are divided into different “schedules” based on their potency and tendency for addiction. Pills that are highly addictive and have a lower medicinal value are placed in higher schedules. The more serious prescription drugs, such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and opiates are classified as Schedule II controlled substances. Since a Schedule II offense is classified as a third degree felony, penalties for crimes involving these drugs can include up to 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine. The accused may be charged with drug trafficking of controlled substances. This will heavily depend on the quantity of prescribed pills found on the accused at the time of the arrest. This differs from drugs that have less of a propensity for addiction, such as steroids (Schedule III) and Valium or Xanax (Schedule IV). Possessing these substances can lead to misdemeanor charges and up to one year.

A misdemeanor charge will begin with the accused entering a plea of “not guilty.” A trial date will be set. The defense will be provided with arrest reports and other information which the prosecution is required to provide. Prescription pill cases are like other drug charges in that the substances may have been found through law enforcement’s violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights. If such a violation occurred then it may be possible to have the pills excluded from evidence. Such exclusion can lead to dismissal of the charges. If a dismissal is not obtained then it is the prosecution’s burden to prove that the accused knowingly possessed the pills and that they did not have a valid prescription. It is important to understand that you have options if you have been arrested for such an offense. It is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Omar fully understands the stress you must be experiencing because of the situation you are in right now. You can rest assured because you will have one of the best criminal attorneys in Tampa on your side to fight your case. At the time of talking to him, you just have to make sure that you disclose all the important details of your case for proper evaluation. Whether it is you or someone in your family who is facing prescription drug charges, you can have peace of mind once you have contacted Omar.

Get in touch with us for an initial evaluation if you live in Spring Hill, Brandon, and the surrounding areas.