What to do following a Indian River County Drug Arrest

On Sept. 7, Florida authorities made another Indian River County drug arrest during a traffic stop. The incident occurred at the intersection of 45th Street and 30th Avenue in Gifford.

According to media reports, a deputy pulled over a black 2018 Nissan sedan at approximately 12:40 a.m. He looked up the vehicle’s registration tag and discovered that the driver, a 20-year-old man, had a suspended license. As he approached the vehicle, he reportedly detected the scent of marijuana and observed smoke coming out of the car windows. Because of this, he searched the car and allegedly found a baggy of cocaine, 122 grams of marijuana and 69 alprazolam pills. He also found a scale, $500 in cash, 23 rounds of ammunition and three firearm magazines.

The driver claimed there was no firearm in the car and the ammunition was just for target practice. However, the deputy found a .40-caliber handgun with an extended magazine hidden behind the driver’s seat. The driver was arrested on drug and weapons charges and taken to the Indian River County Jail for processing. He is being held in lieu of $20,500 bail, and his next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.

Individuals facing drug charges in Florida could face a range of consequences if they are convicted. For example, someone found guilty of possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana could be sentenced to up to one year in jail and assessed a $1,000 fine. However, defendants convicted of possessing large amounts of drugs or selling narcotics could face anywhere from five years to life in prison.

In order to avoid these types of outcomes, many defendants choose to contact an Indian River County criminal lawyer for help. A defense lawyer could carefully review the case and work to develop a strong defense against the allegations. Possible defense strategies might include challenging police search and seizure procedures, disputing lab test results or negotiating a plea deal that reduces the charges and penalties.

Hiring a Indian River County Drug Arrest Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been subjected to an Indian River County drug arrest, you may benefit from contacting Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq. at (772) 489-8501. Mr. Kirschner is an Indian River County criminal lawyer familiar with the complexities of federal drug laws, including the changes brought about by the First Step Act of 2018. He also has experience ensuring that alleged scheduled controlled substances are tested in accordance with recognized forensic laboratory standards.