New Pinellas County Florida Sheriff Cracking Down on Prescription Pill Problem

St. Petersburg Criminal Attorney and Former State Prosecutor Melinda Morris of the Morris Law Firm discusses Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri’s focus on prescription pills.

Issue:

Bob Gualtieri has replaced outgoing Sheriff Jim Coats as the Pinellas County Sheriff.  Just before being sworn into office on Wednesday November 9th, 2011, incoming Sheriff Gualtieri answered questions for local media and attendees at the ceremony.  Some of his comments highlighted his intent to focus on the prescription drug trafficking problem in the Tampa Bay area.




Why This Matters To You:

When asked what the biggest issue was facing the Pinellas County community, Sheriff Gualtieri responded that prescription pills are the No. 1 public safety issue.  The Sheriff’s focus on this subset of drug crimes will no doubt come with an increase in law enforcement arrests and special programs to go after alleged offenders.

In fact, Sheriff Gualtieri went on to comment that, “We have some things we’re working on, especially in the area of the prescription drugs epidemic.  I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to reverse that trend.  It’s the No. 1 issue.  It permeates throughout our calls for service every day.  We’ve got to do something about it.”

With the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office focused on this issue and endorsing greater enforcement, there is the potential for overeager law enforcement officers to make bad arrests in an attempt to meet the office’s goals to address the issue.


What To Do Next:

If you have been arrested for a drug related crime contact a St. Petersburg Drug Crimes Attorney to discuss possible defenses and specific strategies that may exist in your case.  Call the Morris Law Firm at 727-388-4736 to discuss your case directly with an attorney, or fill out our Online Form to be contacted for a Free Initial Consultation.  The Morris Law Firm can help.  Criminal Defense Attorney Melinda Morris has specific knowledge and experience in defending Drug Charges offenders throughout Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay, FL Area (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Hillsborough, Pasco, Bradenton, Manatee, and Sarasota).