Let me say one thing at the beginning. At Flaherty & Merrifield Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers, we don't represent snitches. So, if your plan to get out of trouble is to get other people in trouble, call somebody else because we're not going to help you do that. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's talk about how we can help you.
In the state of Florida, possession of marijuana is still illegal. There's a very small exception for medicinal use, but other than that, it's still illegal. In Florida, possession of marijuana can either be a felony or a misdemeanor, and it depends on the amount that you were found with. If the amount was less than 20 grams, it's a misdemeanor. If the amount was over 20 grams, it's going to be charged as a third-degree felony with a potential sentence of up to 5 years in prison. Marijuana cases are cases that we take very personally and that we're very passionate about. We're lifetime members of the NORML organization, which is the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
And that's an organization that is dedicated towards fighting for the legalization of recreational use of marijuana. But we also have to live in the world that we live in. And right now, it's still illegal. So, possession of marijuana under 20 grams is a first-degree misdemeanor. And what that means is it's punishable by up to 12 months of probation, one year in jail, and a $1,000 fine.
It's also punishable by up to a one-year suspension of your driver's license. So, even for a smaller amount of marijuana that's charged as a misdemeanor, it's important that you get the right result that protects your future. Some options that we have to resolve a misdemeanor marijuana case include things like pre-trial diversion.
Pre-trial diversion would guarantee a full dismissal of your charge if you stay out of trouble and complete the agreed upon conditions. If you're charged with felony possession of marijuana, obviously with it being a felony, it's more serious, but there are still options that we have available that will help us successfully resolve your case that will accomplish the goals that we have, which are to keep you out of jail or prison and keep a felony off your record.
There are options available, even in felony court, that will allow us to accomplish that for you. If you've been charged with marijuana possession, give us a call. Regardless of whether or not it's a felony or a misdemeanor, there are still options available to us to help you get through this with nothing on your record and no jail time. So, give us a call and get the help that you need.
