By Stephan Lopez Esq.,
Constructive Possession: Even Without Actual Possession…You Could Be in Trouble!
The old adage “possession is nine tenths of the law” means someone in actual possession of drugs is presumed to be in possession. By contrast that should mean that those not in actual possession of drugs, i.e., the remaining “one-tenth” are not in “possession,” right? Wrong! When it comes to criminal law, the “one-tenth” defense will not serve a defendant well since the prosecution can sometimes prove the case by proving that the person “constructively possessed” the drugs!
Obviously, the most common way a prosecutor can prove that a person possessed an illicit drug is by proving that the person was in actual possession of the drug. Actual possession of drugs is shown when contraband is found in the defendant’s physical possession. See Sundin v. State, 27 So.3d 675, 676 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009) (explaining that actual possession is shown when contraband is found in the defendant’s hand, on his or her person, or within reach and under the defendant’s control). However, in constructive possession cases, the prosecution is required to prove the defendant had knowledgeof the presence of the drugs and dominion and control over them. For example, in Robinson v. State, the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to support a conviction for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia even though defendant’s name was not on the lease of the house and the homeowner had not entered into a lease agreement with the defendant. 936 So.2d 1164 (Fla. 1st DCA 2001). The evidence adduced at trial showed the defendant exclusively and regularly occupied the northwest bedroom of the house, including shortly before the home was searched. Id. Under those facts it can be inferred that the defendant had dominion and control over the contraband found among his personal items in the northwest bedroom, and that the defendant knew contraband was in his presence and was illicit and thus was in “constructive possession” of the drugs.
The case law confirms that even the one-tenth defendant, can be convicted. But that doesn’t have to be the case. With proper skill, guidance and experience, a criminal defense attorney can assist a defendant facing these type charges. Here are two hypothetical situations that make the point.
Constructive Possession Hypothetical #1
Q: John went to a party at a hotel room his friend had rented. Police arrived to the hotel room in response to a loud noise complaint. The police found, in plain view, several “baggies” containing marijuana in the bathroom sink in the hotel room. There were 10 other people in the room at the time police arrived. John told the police he did not know there were drugs in the room, and that he was just drinking a wine cooler. John made no other statements. Every one arrested also denied knowledge of the marijuana and possession of it. Can John be convicted of constructively possessing the drugs simply because he was present when the drugs were recovered?
A: In this scenario it appears that it is reasonable to conclude that John did not have knowledge of the presence of the marijuana that was found. Additionally, as will be discussed further in the next hypothetical, it appears that John did not exercise “exclusive control” of the premises where the drugs were found since he did not rent the hotel room and was only a visitor.
Mere proximity to the contraband alone is not enough. See Isaac v. State, 730 So.2d 757, 758 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999). This is even in instances when contraband is in plain view. Plain view alone does not support an inference that the defendant had control over the contraband unless the defendant had control over the premises. Sundin, 27 So.3d at 676–77 (rejecting any inference of control over a glass pipe in plain view when evidence showed that defendant was only a visitor to a hotel room and not an occupant of the room).
In a constructive possession case, the State must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knew of the presence of the contraband and that he had the ability to exercise dominion and control over it. Wagner v. State, 950 So.2d 511, 512 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007); see also Evans v. State, 32 So.3d 188, 189 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010) (citing Brown v. State, 428 So.2d 250, 252 (Fla.1983)).
There is also the case of Giza v State, where marijuana was located in a suitcase in the trunk of a car that was driven by the defendant but also occupied by another passenger. 71 So.3d 214 (Fla. 2d DCA 2011). The Court on appeal reversed the driver’s conviction based on the State’s theory of constructive possession, reasoning that because the passenger also had access to the car keys and the trunk, the State could not prove the driver exercised dominion and control over the marijuana—a material element of the offense. Id.
Constructive Possession Hypothetical #2
Q: The police recovered 4 small bags of cocaine from Mary’s apartment kitchen floor. Mary was not home when the cocaine was recovered but Jill, Sarah and Stacy were present. Jill, Sarah, and Stacy were arrested on the scene. As Mary was going to the bank the next day to get money to bail out her roommates, she was arrested by the police who alleged she was in constructive possession of the same cocaine that was recovered the previous day from her apartment. Mary asked to speak to a lawyer and gave no statements to the police. Mary had never been arrested before and wanted to attend medical school. She is now convinced that she will never get into medical school because all the prosecution has to do is prove that since she lived in the apartment where the cocaine was found, it can be inferred that she was in constructive possession of the cocaine. Is Mary right?
A: No. In this scenario, it appears from the facts that Mary did not exercise exclusive possession of the apartment, as she shared it with three other roommates. The knowledge and control elements cannot be inferred and the prosecution will have to prove those elements beyond a reasonable doubt with independent proof, i.e., a confession from Mary (which she didn’t give), witness testimony or scientific evidence that links Mary to the cocaine. If they cannot link Mary to the cocaine, the State cannot prove the possession charge beyond a reasonable doubt even under a constructive possession theory. When a defendant has been in exclusive possession of the premises where contraband is found, knowledge and control can be inferred. Spataro v. State, 179 So.2d 873, 877 (Fla. 2d DCA 1965). However, when the premises have not been in the exclusive possession of the defendant, as is the case here, knowledge and control cannot be inferred unless there are incriminating statements or other circumstances that would support such an inference. Id. See also Santiago v. State, 991 So.2d 439, 442 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008) (“Generally, independent proof can be established by the admission into evidence of a pretrial statement made by an accused, by witness testimony, or by scientific evidence.”).
Stephan Lopez is a former police officer and Miami-Dade prosecutor that provides legal representation that is both multi-faceted and knowledgeable to clients facing serious criminal charges. Specifically, he focuses and assists clients in the areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Property Claims, Family Law, Commercial and Civil Litigation,
The firm also provides representation in the areas of: Civil Rights and Police Misconduct cases, Call us for a FREE consultation at (305) 792-8221.
Se Habla Español.
Visit our firm website crimlegal.com and review our credentials.
Our main office is located at 14875 NW 77th Avenue, Suite 206, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014, and we also have an office in Hollywood, Florida.
______________________
The Stephan Lopez Law Firm BLOG is intended to provide information to firm clients, friends and potential clients about various legal related topics. Nothing in this BLOG should be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion. Readers should not act upon the information contained in this BLOG without seeking the advice of legal counsel.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisement. Before you decide, ask us to send you free information about our qualifications.