A Drug Possession Conviction Can Lead to Unlawful Carry Charges
Pursuant to a recent change to Florida’s laws, it is now legal for most people to carry concealed handguns in most places. The new permitless carry laws make it legal for you to carry a concealed weapon in places that allow concealed weapons, as long as you are eligible for a concealed weapons permit, even if you have not obtained a permit or even applied for one. It is easy to turn this scenario into clickbait about how Florida Man is packing heat everywhere he goes, but there are enough eligibility requirements for carrying a concealed weapon that you might have a reasonable fear of getting criminal charges for unlawful carry. One of the scenarios that can cost you your right to carry a concealed handgun is a conviction for possession of a controlled substance, even if it was a misdemeanor charge. Therefore, it is in your interest to fight your drug charges, even if they seem minor, with the help of a Florida drug offenses attorney.
Florida Laws on Unlawful Carry of Concealed Weapons
Unlawful carry of a concealed weapon is a felony under Florida law. If you get convicted, the court could sentence you to five years of probation, or even up to five years in prison. It is illegal to carry a weapon if you have a felony conviction, but other interactions with the court can also disqualify you from the right to carry. For example, any drug-related criminal convictions, regardless of whether they are misdemeanors or felonies, make it illegal for you to carry a weapon. You are also ineligible to carry if you are a respondent in a domestic violence-related protective order, or if you are under the age of 21 or are not a United States citizen or permanent resident.
What to Do If You Get Charged With Misdemeanor Drug Possession
Your instinct might be to plead guilty if you are facing misdemeanor drug possession charges, just to get the case over with, especially if the state offers a plea deal where you can avoid prison time. This is often a mistake in the long-term though. A misdemeanor drug possession conviction puts you at risk for charges of unlawful carry, even if you are carrying the weapon under circumstances where it would be legal for someone else to carry it. Instead of assuming that a conviction is inevitable and that it is no big deal because it is just a misdemeanor, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer might be able to help you enter a drug court program, where you can get your charges dropped if you successfully complete a probation-like program.
Contact FL Drug Defense Group About Drug Cases
Every criminal case, no matter how minor, affects your future, and you should take it seriously. A Central Florida criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing charges for misdemeanor drug possession. Contact FL Drug Defense Group in Orlando, Florida to discuss your case.
Sources
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0790/Sections/0790.07.html
giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-florida/
