Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Signatures For Ballot Referendums At The Courthouse

I was recently walking out of the courthouse in Sanford and was asked to sign a petition to protect our water. Since I am generally against any type of regulation I didn't want to sign it. I also noticed that the individual asking me to sign had a "legalize it" shirt on. As a criminal defense attorney who handles Orlando marijuana cases, Seminole County marijuana cases, Daytona Beach marijuana cases and Flagler County marijuana cases I'm not a huge fan of the current drug laws in the United States and question the war on drugs. It did not offend me that the guy wanted me to sign a petition for legalizing marijuana what offended me is that he tried to trick me into signing a marijuana petition by either mixing multiple ballot referendums or just lying to me about what I would have been signing. I actually told him no as soon as he told me he was petitioning to protect my water so I did not get to see what the document said. This gives me some concern about the ballot referendum process if people will lie to individuals on the courthouse steps in an attempt to get enough signatures to get their issue on a ballot. I was talking to an investigator I work with and he said the same thing happened to him in as he was leaving the clerk of court in Orlando. The question that I have is if I looked like a defendant instead of an attorney would they have asked me to sign a petition for clean water or to legalize marijuana. Does everyone get the same sales pitch or is it catered to what they believe you will be willing to sign? The other question is does it matter what they say since the referendum only puts it on the ballot for a vote. I guess in the end it all comes down to making sure you carefully read anything you sign. 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Orlando Possession Of Under 20 Grams Of Marijuana Attorney

Many people believe that we should legalize marijuana but at this point Florida has some of the harshest penalties for possession of under 20 grams of marijuana in the country. The maximum punishment for possession under 20 in Orlando is a year in jail, a year of probation or any combination of the two that does not exceed a year in duration. The maximum fine is up to $1,000. Some additional less known penalties are: a 2 year driver's license suspension if adjudicated guilty, loss of federal financial aid and potential loss of public assistance. The 2 year driver's license suspension does not require the accused to be operating a vehicle. The license suspension for a first DUI is only 6 months for a breath test over .08%. An experienced Orlando possession of marijuana attorney can argue for a dismissal, diversion, amended charge or at least a withhold of adjudication to avoid the 2 year driver's license suspension. An attorney can also waive your appearance from most of the court dates. This avoids missing work or school and avoids warrants for failure to appear. If you are charged with Orlando marijuana possession call attorney Kevin J. Pitts today at 407-883-6853 to set up a free consultation.