Defending Firearm and Weapons Violations, Charges and Offenses in Florida

Without question, Florida is known for some of the most severe punishments handed down to those who have been convicted of a criminal act involving the use of a firearm or any other weapon.

A variety of criminal offenses result in mandatory minimum sentencing when committed with firearms and weapons.

All of these charges are very serious and you should not hesitate in seeking the protection of an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Why should I choose Fernandez Law Group if I am charged with a firearm or weapons violation?

If you someone you know is facing firearms charges, the consequences can be very serious if there is a conviction. A highly skilled criminal defense attorney can help defend you against these types of charges, but many lack specific experience with Florida gun crimes. There are also very few Florida criminal defense attorneys who are also qualified to practice in federal courts. And very few attorneys also have experience as former prosecutors.

At Fernandez Law Group, our team of attorneys works diligently at scrutinizing over every single last detail in your case in order to find any flaws or errors in the police procedure. These errors can lead to reduction in charges, fines, and sentencing. In some cases, we've even had cases that were completely dismissed. We will pay very close attention to your case and review it with you on a continual basis.

Frank Fernandez, founder of Fernandez Law Group, has over 18 years experience handling criminal defense involving firearms and weapons charges. Frank works these cases along with Jeff Quisenberry.

Jeff was a former prosecutor for over 20 years who once handed these same cases from the prosecution side. He has since then become a criminal defense attorney. Together, Frank Fernandez and Jeff Quisenberry provide a very serious and effective defense team for the price of a sole practitioner.

We move quickly and efficiently, getting to the prosecutor long before the case gets to court. We work aggressively, competently, and comprehensively in order to provide you with the best possible outcome for your situation. We take pride in the many successes we've had over the years with firearm and weapons violation cases. They're difficult criminal cases, and we encourage you to act fast - take advantage of our FREE consultation.

We understand how difficult it can be when faced with these types of charges.

There are many factors that can lead to someone picking up charges for firearm and weapons violations. The penalties in Florida are very severe and these charges can have a devastating impact on family members.

Our team of attorneys understands the difficult situations many families face when someone is facing serious charges. We are here for you, working on your side every step of the way. We're not here to judge you or your actions. We're here to represent you and your best interests and provide you with the best possible outcome regardless of the severity of the charges.

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in the United States, and the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor. With our representation, we can use our former prosecutorial experience to find every possible weakness in the case that we can use in your defense in order to give you the best possible advantage. We carefully review all evidence in order to find the best possible defense that will give you the highest chances for success in court.

And once the case goes to court, our trial experience has given us the insight and skills needed to carefully cross-examine law enforcement and other key witnesses to break their testimony apart. We have no problem challenging witness testimony whenever appropriate or possible.

If you've been charged with any type of firearm or weapons violation, you need to act immediately in order to preserve every possible opportunity for a stronger defense. Take advantage of our FREE consultation so you can gain a better understanding of what charges you're facing and the potential consequences, and we can begin helping you right away.

What are the most serious types of weapon and firearms violations in Florida?

• aggravated battery with a firearm
• aggravated assault with a firearm
• armed robbery
• armed burglary
• carjacking
• carrying a concealed weapon without legal permit
• cases in which a convicted felon is found to be in possession of a firearm
• cases in which it is alleged that there was an intent to commit murder or manslaughter
• gun trafficking
• illegal discharge of a weapon

Violent crimes with weapons carry 10 year to 20 year to LIFE penalties in Florida.

Without question, no matter what law firm or attorney represents you, certain violent crimes committed with weapons in Florida will lead to mandatory minimums that you will not be able to avoid. Incarceration will be served in a Florida state prison and you will be segregated with other violent and dangerous offenders.

Florida courts used to have an option where a judge could use discretion in whether or not to impose a lighter sentence. However, in order to cut down on violent crime and repeat, habitual offenders, that is no longer an option. If you are convicted on charges for a violent crime involving a firearm, it will result in a mandatory minimum sentence.

10 Year Mandatory Minimum

• Possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime (even if the weapon was not discharged)

10 Year Mandatory Minimum

• Discharge of a weapon during the commission of a crime

Life in Prison

• When the discharge of a weapon during the commission of any crime causes injury to a victim, a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.

As your attorneys, our goal is to provide you with experienced and aggressive representation in order to help get you the best possible outcome when faced with any charges. And if you're dealing with any type of firearm or weapons violation including burglary, robbery, kidnapping, carjacking or other violent crime, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney with experience in these types of crimes right away.

Don't be intimidated, come in and talk to us. The consultation is free. We can help you.

Call us today at 813-489-3222 for a FREE consultation and find out what we can do to begin helping you with your defense immediately!

Content authored by Gaston Fernandez

 

Note to visitors:

Foreclosure Defense Attorney is a sub-site of Fernandez Law Group with a focus on providing solutions for homeowners who are facing foreclosure in Tampa.

Defending Drug or Controlled Substance Possession Charges and Offenses in Florida

Although not as severe as the sale of controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance of any kind in Florida is a serious offense.It could involve the loss of your license, the loss of your property, the loss of your freedom. And in Florida, possession crimes do not take ownership into consideration, meaning you are still be criminally liable if it isn't yours.

At the Fernandez Law Group, we have more than 43 years experience handling criminal cases of this kind.

Our team of attorneys features a former prosecutor for over 20 years who once handed these same cases from the prosecution side. We give you a solid defense team that will get to the prosecution before the case goes to trial and we work aggressively on your behalf to get you the best possible outcome - often reducing charges, bail amounts, and sentencing before a trial date is even discussed.

Possession of a Controlled Substance in Florida:

The possession of controlled substances is carefully regulated in Florida, and anyone found in violation of these rules will be faced with penalties. Here, well known drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy or MDMA, cocaine and/or crack-cocaine are classified as controlled substances, along with marijuana. Also included in this classification are not just those substances, but any compounds used to manufacture them as well.

Florida residents will be able to vote on medical marijuana in November 2014 for the first time.

On January 27, 2014, the Florida Supreme Court ruled against Attorney General Pam Bondi's challenge to the state's proposed medical marijuana initiative. And a few days earlier, the campaign had also made the announcement that enough valid signatures had been turned in. As a result, residents of Florida will now have the opportunity to vote "yes" or "no" to medical marijuana this coming November, 2014.

The Scheduling of Controlled Substances in Florida is broken into 5 categories:

• Schedule I - These drugs have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.Schedule I drugs include: Heroin, cannabis, dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, psilocybin, salvia divinorum, tetrahydrocannabinols.
• Schedule II - These drugs also have a high potential for abuse but they also have a limited accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse of Schedule II drugs can lead to severe psychic and physical dependency.Schedule II drugs include: Opium, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, ocycodone, fentanyl, methadone, amphetamine, methamphetamine, pentobarbital.
• Schedule III - These drugs have less abuse potential than Schedule II or Schedule I drugs and also have an accepted medical use. Abuse of Schedule III drugs may lead to low or moderate physical dependence as well as a high psychological dependence.Schedule III drugs include: Anabolic steroids including stanozolol, testosterone, trenbolone and others. Additional schedule III drugs include benzphetamine, lysergic acid, nalorphine, and ketamine.
• Schedule IV - These drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs and also have an accepted medical use. The abuse of Schedule IV drugs may lead to light physical or psychological dependence.Schedule IV drugs include: Alprazolam, barbital, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, phenobarbital, and quazepam.
• Schedule V - These drugs have the least potential for abuse and also have a current and accepted medical use. There is limited risk of physical or psychological dependency.Schedule V drugs include: Any medicine that contains small amounts of specified narcotic drugs:

1. Not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams. 2. Not more than 100 milligrams of dihydrocodeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams. 3. Not more than 100 milligrams of ethylmorphine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams. 4. Not more than 2.5 milligrams of diphenoxylate and not less than 25 micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit. 5. Not more than 100 milligrams of opium per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams.

(b) Narcotic drugs. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any of the following narcotic drugs and their salts: Buprenorphine.

(c) Stimulants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers: Pyrovalerone.

Penalties for the Possession of a Controlled Substance in Florida:

The type of substance and the quantity involved will determine whether or not you are facing a felony or misdemeanor. And as we mentioned above, Florida does not take ownership into consideration when it comes to possession crimes. What that means is that even if the controlled substance does not belong to you, you are still criminally liable for the actual or constructive possession of the substance.

Actual Possession:

Actual possession of a controlled substance is the result of the substance being in the physical custody of a defendant. Actual possession occurs when there is a controlled substance in the pocket of a jacket, or tucked into a shoe or sock.

Constructive Possession:

Constructive possession of a controlled substance occurs when a defendant has knowledge of the whereabouts of the substance, as well as the ability to access and control the substance. Constructive possession occurs in a vehicle if the substance is in a glove box, or if at a home, when the substance is in a room or location within the house.

First Degree Felony Possession:

First degree felony possession occurs if a defendant is in possession of 10 grams or more of any Schedule I drug excluding Hallucinogens, 1,4-Butanediol, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), methaqualone and mecloqualone. First degree felony possession is punishable with a fine of up to $10,000 and incarceration of up to 30 years.

Third Degree Felony Possession:

Possession of any controlled substance not mentioned here, whether actual or constructive, is a felony of the third degree which is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, a period of incarceration not to exceed five (5) years, or both. Substances obtained by valid prescription are excluded.

Misdemeanor Possession of the First Degree:

The possession of the following controlled substances is a misdemeanor of the first degree and is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both:

• up to 20 grams of marijuana
• up to three grams of 2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-5-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenol
• up to three grams of (6aR,10aR)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydrobenzo
• up to three grams of [c]chromen-1-ol
• up to three grams of 48. 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, or
• up to three grams of 49. 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole.

Repeat Offenders:

Any defendant in Florida will be faced with harsher penalties for multiple convictions.

Repeat Felony Offenses:

In Florida, any defendant who has two or more prior felony convictions will face an increased penalty for subsequent convictions. Therefore, a subsequent conviction of a first degree felony can result in a sentence to incarceration for life. Subsequent convictions for a third degree felony can result in sentencing to incarceration for up to ten (10) years.

* See Florida Criminal Code Section 775.084 for more information.

Repeat Misdemeanor Offenses:

Any defendant in Florida who has four (4) or more prior convictions for misdemeanors may face one of the following additional penalties:

• six (6) months to one (1) year incarceration
• home detention for six (6) months up to 364 days
• enrollment in a residential treatment program

* See Florida Criminal Code Section 775.0837 for more information.

Why should you choose Fernandez Law Group to defend you against drug possession charges?

Because Florida can convict a defendant with possession of a controlled substance even if the substance involved did not belong to you, we find that many people inadvertently end up facing these charges and the potential consequences that come with them. Family, finances, freedom, your career, and children can all become concerns and our attorneys recognize how important it is to provide you with the best possible defense. When you come to Fernandez Law Group, you'll gain an instant advantage in your case as we provide you with a team of attorneys working on your defense. We can help you understand the crime you've been charged with along with any and all possible defenses or options available to you. Additionally, our attorneys make up fewer than 10% of all Florida attorneys who are experienced and qualified to practice in federal courts. Not only that, our team of attorneys includes a former prosecutor who has over 20 years experience working on that side of the courtroom. Because of that insight we are able to better communicate with the prosecution on your behalf, often reducing charges, bail amounts, and sentencing before a trial date is even discussed - and in some cases, trial may not even be necessary. When you have a former prosecutor on your side, along with additional attorneys, and they're fewer than 10% in Florida who are qualified for federal practice, you are getting very solid representation that shows the prosecution you mean business. Our attorneys are ready to fight aggressively on your behalf and help you get the best possible outcome and with our FREE consultation, you can begin getting the advice and guidance you need right away.

Call us today at 813-489-3222 for a FREE consultation and find out what we can do to begin helping you with your defense immediately before you spend a dime!

// //   Content authored by Gaston Fernandez

Note to visitors:

Foreclosure Defense Attorney is a sub-site of Fernandez Law Group with a focus on providing solutions for homeowners who are facing foreclosure in Tampa.