Illegal Prescription Drugs & Usage

In Florida, it is illegal to possess, distribute, sell, or use prescription drugs without proper authorization or licensing. A defendant convicted of an illegal prescription drug crime may be facing devastating consequences, including lengthy imprisonment, hefty fines, a criminal record, and other life-altering consequences. An experienced Florida criminal defense attorney can enlighten you about your rights and what to expect when charged with an illegal prescription drug crime.

At DaytonaDefense.com, we’re committed to offering comprehensive legal guidance and aggressive representation to clients in their drug crimes cases. As your legal team, we can configure all of the facts of your case and strategize an effective defense to help fight your illegal prescription drug charges. We’re proud to serve clients across Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, Flagler County, and Volusia County, Florida.

Prescription Drug Categories in Florida

Prescription drugs can be described as medications that are often used for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and other medical conditions. In order to obtain a prescription drug, you must first get a medical prescription from a qualified physician. Here are some categories of prescription drugs – or controlled substances – in Florida (Florida Statute Section 893.03):

Schedule I: These drugs have a high potential for abuse and no acceptable medical use. Examples include marijuana, heroin, GHB, peyote, Ecstasy, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Schedule II: These are drugs with a high potential for abuse but severely restricted for medical use. Examples include hydromorphone, hydrocodone, opium, opiates, methadone, and Ritalin.

Schedule III: These are drugs with a moderate potential for abuse than Schedule I or II drugs and are severely restricted for medical treatment. Examples include anabolic steroids, Tylenol with Codeine, testosterone, Didrex, and ketamine.

Schedule IV: These substances have a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule III drugs. They are accepted for medical treatments. Examples include Valium, benzodiazepines, Soma, Klonopin, and Xanax.

Schedule V: These substances have the least potential for abuse and are commonly used for medical treatments. Some examples include cough syrups, Phenergan with Codeine, Lyrica, Parepectolin, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lomotil.

However, the severity and seriousness of your penalties will depend on the quantity of drugs involved, the category of the drugs, and other surrounding circumstances.

Possible Penalties for Prescription Drug Charges

The penalties for prescription drug charges can be far-reaching. Depending on the quantity or type of prescription drugs and other surrounding circumstances, a prescription drug crime conviction could possibly result in any of the following penalties and consequences:

• Huge fines

• Prison sentences (ranging from months, years, or decades)

• A criminal record/history

• Mandatory drug treatment classes

• Probation

• Increased difficulty in securing government assistance or public benefits

• Increased difficulty in securing a job or housing

• Inability to carry, own or possess firearms

• Ineligibility for some financial loans

• Confiscation of the car used to transport the prescription drugs

• Confiscation of property and money associated with the drugs

• Loss of voting rights

• Increased difficulty traveling to other countries

• Possible deportation or inadmissibility into the United States

• Loss of scholarship and educational or career opportunities

An experienced Florida drug crimes defense attorney can investigate all of the facts of your case and help build your best defenses to fight your prescription drug charges.

Possible Defenses

When facing illegal prescription drug accusations, your attorney may fight your charges using any of the following legal defenses:

• A valid prescription from a medical expert

• Cannabis use according to Florida's medical marijuana law.

• Unwitting possession

• Lack of possession 

• Illegal search and seizure

• Duress

• Involuntary confession

• Drugs were planted

• Drugs belong to someone else

• Miranda rights violations

• The accused is a victim of entrapment

A skilled lawyer can explore your available legal defenses to fight your charges and help you avoid the devastating penalties and consequences of a criminal conviction.

How DaytonaDefense.com Can Help

Trying to defend your illegal prescription drug crime charges without reliable representation could easily increase your risks of getting convicted and suffering the maximum penalties. Unfortunately, a drug crime conviction could jeopardize your freedom, quality of life, personal reputation, professional and future opportunities. Hence, whether you are facing charges for illegal possession, distribution, sale, or usage of prescription drugs, retaining a highly-skilled and aggressive criminal defense attorney is crucial for detailed guidance and to help build your defense strategy.

At DaytonaDefense.com, our attorney has devoted their career to handling criminal cases and defending individuals wrongfully charged with prescription drug offenses. Using our experience and resources, our trusted team can help you navigate the Florida criminal justice system.

Facing illegal prescription drug crime charges can be terrifying. Don’t face them alone. Contact DaytonaDefense.com today to schedule a simple case assessment with a knowledgeable drug crimes defense attorney. Our reliable legal team has the highly-personalized legal counsel and reliable representation you need in your case. We’re proud to serve clients across Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, Flagler County, and Volusia County, Florida.