Defend Your Rights After a Drug Charge

Joshua Bethea Attorney at Law provides drug offense defense throughout Clearwater and surrounding communities.

You may be facing a drug charge that threatens your ability to work, stay in your home, or maintain custody of your children. In Clearwater and across Pinellas County, drug offenses range from simple possession to distribution charges, and each carries different penalties that can include incarceration, probation, mandatory drug treatment programs, and a criminal record that follows you for years. The circumstances surrounding your arrest often determine the strength of the case against you, and many drug arrests involve search and seizure issues that warrant close examination.

Joshua Bethea Attorney at Law represents clients charged with possession, distribution, and other drug-related offenses in Clearwater and throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County. We review every detail of your arrest, including the traffic stop or search that led to the discovery of drugs, how evidence was collected and stored, and whether law enforcement followed proper procedures. When your constitutional rights are violated during a search or seizure, that evidence may be challenged in court. Our defense approach focuses on limiting penalties, protecting your record, and pursuing outcomes that allow you to move forward.

Schedule a free consultation with Joshua Bethea Attorney at Law to discuss your drug charge and legal options in Clearwater.

How Drug Offense Defense Protects Your Future

Your defense begins with a detailed review of the arrest, including the reason for the traffic stop or entry into your property, the method used to search your vehicle or belongings, and the way evidence was handled after seizure. In Clearwater, many drug arrests occur during routine traffic stops that escalate into searches, and not all of those searches meet constitutional standards. We examine whether officers had probable cause, whether you were informed of your rights, and whether the chain of custody for evidence was properly documented.

Once we identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, you gain leverage to negotiate reduced charges or alternative sentencing options. You may be eligible for pretrial diversion, which allows you to complete supervised programs without a conviction appearing on your record. You may also see charges reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, or dismissed entirely if evidence was obtained unlawfully. Each of these outcomes changes what appears in background checks, what restrictions apply to your housing or employment, and what penalties you face moving forward.

Our representation includes motion filings, evidence suppression hearings, and negotiations with prosecutors to resolve your case in the most practical way possible. We work with clients who have prior records, clients facing first-time charges, and clients whose cases involve prescription medication, synthetic substances, or paraphernalia. Drug charges do not always require a trial, but they always require a defense attorney who understands how to challenge the state's case.

Most clients want to know how the charge affects their daily life, whether they will serve jail time, and what options exist to avoid a conviction.

You probably have questions about what happens next

What happens if drugs were found during a traffic stop?
If the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop you or probable cause to search your vehicle, the evidence may be suppressed. You should review the details of the stop with an attorney as soon as possible.
How does a drug conviction affect my record?
A conviction appears in background checks and can limit your ability to rent housing, obtain professional licenses, or qualify for certain jobs. Avoiding a conviction through diversion or a plea to a lesser charge prevents these long-term consequences.
What is the difference between possession and distribution charges?
Possession involves having drugs for personal use, while distribution involves intent to sell or deliver drugs to others. Distribution charges carry longer sentences and higher fines, and the distinction often depends on the amount of drugs found and how they were packaged.
When should I contact a defense attorney after a drug arrest?
You should contact an attorney before your first court appearance. Early representation allows your attorney to review evidence, file motions, and begin negotiations before the prosecution builds its case.
What are my options if I am charged with possession of prescription drugs?
You may have a valid prescription defense if the medication was prescribed to you and you possess documentation. If the prescription belonged to someone else, your attorney can still challenge how the drugs were discovered and whether the search was lawful.

Joshua Bethea Attorney at Law serves clients throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County, including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Largo, Palm Harbor, and Dunedin. Contact us to review your drug charge during a free consultation.