Drug crime charges in-volving the possession, smuggling, distribution and production of cocaine, “crack,” Ecstacy, hashish, marijuana, crystal “meth,” metham-phetamine, opiates, hallucin-ogens, PCP, and regulated pain prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Hydro-codone and Vicodin can carry stiff penalties. If you have been arrested for illegal drug possession, cultivation, dis-tribution, selling or other drug- related offenses, you face the likelihood of many months or years in prison. The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. in Jacksonville, Florida, has represented clients in a variety of drug crime cases and strives to get reduced sentences, sus-pensions or even acquittals.

Whether you are pros-ecuted by the state or federal government, prosecutors are now seeking major prison terms to carry out the political message of the war on drugs. If you are charged with a drug related crime in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Gainesville, or surrounding areas of North Florida, the government may try to make an example of you and subject you to fines, a long prison term, or both.

To make things worse, courts frequently find that police violate citizens’ constitutional rights by conducting illegal searches and seizures and by illegally obtaining confessions. This is why you want an aggressive drug defense lawyer who is experienced to represent you against criminal charges.

Frequently, criminal cases may hinge on the defense being able to demonstrate the illegal conduct of police. This will often cause the 'fruits' of the search, to be inadmissible against a defendant. We have the experience to handle major narcotic cases and lesser drug charges as well. In some cases, the law does not allow drug possession offenders to be sentenced to either jail or prison.

A drug crime conviction will hurt your chances of finding employment after you serve time, with the possibility of further jail time if you violate the terms of your parole (VOP).

You will need to ensure that your rights are protected and that due process of the law is followed.   Call the Law offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., to get the answers about your case.

While some may view the use of drugs as a “victimless crime,” the government views illegal drug use as a direct contributor to violent crime. Trafficking of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and controlled drugs is a multi-billion dollar business connected with high incidents of murder, robbery and horrific violence by ruthless drug cartels and urban gangs in the competition for control.

Then, too, there are the human misery and monetary costs of addiction. These include drug-related illness and death, job loss, broken families, crimes to support drug habits, and the burdensome costs of drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation programs falling on law-abiding taxpayers.

The federal government is leading a well-funded war on drugs that measures its success by the number of arrests made and the size of drug busts. Drug charges are pursued vigorously at both the state and federal level.

The popularity of so-called “recreational drugs” leads many people to think of drug crimes as minor offenses or misdemeanors. Do not underestimate the seriousness of drug charges! Most states have minimum sentencing guidelines that include prison time for drug possessions, trafficking, distribution and manufacturing.

Even a simple marijuana possession charge can result in a criminal record that makes it very difficult to find employment. If the quantity is sufficient, you can even find yourself in prison.

A serious concern if you are facing drug charges is whether the federal government is involved. Even if the charge is originally handled by your state, it can easily be handed to federal authorities.

The federal Drug Enforcement Agency is a government agency whose purpose is to obtain drug convictions. Federal agents are experts in using high pressure tactics to obtain confessions and negotiate plea bargains that can land you in prison. Federal convictions carry severe required prison sentences based on Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and under federal law, you will be required to fulfill 85% to 90% of your sentencing time without the possibility of parole.

If you or someone you know may be facing drug crime charges, call the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. at (904) 721-7575 for a free, confidential initial consultation.

The charges and potential penalties for being in possession of drugs depend on the type of illegal drug, the amount, the extent of your alleged involvement, the prosecution’s evidence, and previous criminal convictions. Regardless of your circum-stances, the attorneys of Ron Sholes, P.A., can help.

The drug crime defense lawyers at Ron Sholes, P.A. seek to have charges dismissed by:

• Proving certain evidence is inadmissible so it is suppressed.
• Exposing misconduct by police or narcotics agents.
• Proving Fourth Amendment search and seizure violations.
• Uncovering other violations of clients’ constitutional rights.

Pleading guilty to the straight charges is rarely, if ever, advisable. You are not likely to receive leniency by prosecutors or judges. In fact, judges may be required to sentence you to a minimum of 10 or 20 years or more in prison under mandatory sentencing guidelines.

By identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, we may be able to plead drug smuggling charges to a lesser offense in exchange for a guilty plea, cutting many years off any prison sentence or eliminating the sentence entirely.