West Palm Beach Possession of a Firearm Lawyer

Ronald S. Chapman, P.A. fights to help clients avoid mandatory minimum sentences and other harsh penalties when charged with illegally possessing a firearm.
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Possession of a Firearm Lawyer in West Palm Beach

While most people know that United States citizens have the right to bear arms, few realize it can be taken away. For instance, Florida prohibits convicted felons, those with injunctions against them, and people deemed mentally incompetent from possessing firearms.

Being charged with illegally having a firearm is serious and can lead to prison time and a large fine if convicted. However, your lawyer may be able to mount a good defense against these charges. Contact our West Palm Beach possession of a firearm lawyer Ronald Chapman today to discuss your case.

What Is Possession?

The definition of possession is quite broad in Florida. You are considered in possession of a firearm if:

  • You are holding it
  • It is on your person
  • You are holding a container that contains the firearm
  • It is within reach and under your control

Some people who are charged with illegally possessing a firearm were not actually in possession of a gun when arrested. While the prosecutor will try to prove that the gun was still in your possession, your West Palm Beach possession of a firearm attorney can challenge the prosecution’s evidence in court.

Actual Versus Constructive Possession

Many people think someone must be in actual possession of a firearm in order to be charged with illegally possessing a gun. For example, they assume that it has to be on their person or in their hand, but that is not the case. If you are prohibited from possessing a firearm, the state can try to prove that you had constructive possession of a gun.

Constructive possession means that the weapon was in a place under your control and that you knew the gun was there.

The prosecutor will do everything possible to prove its case, so you need to mount a defense to fight back. First, contact West Palm Beach possession of a firearm lawyer Ronald Chapman to discuss the events surrounding your arrest. Then your attorney can formulate a legal strategy.

Possible Defenses For Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm

Your possession of a firearm lawyer will review all aspects of the case, including how the police discovered the weapon. If there was a violation of your constitutional rights during the search and seizure, the attorney might be able to get your charge dismissed.

Your lawyer also might discover that the evidence does not demonstrate that you possessed the gun. Constructive possession is challenging to prove, and your attorney can challenge the state’s theory during the trial.

With so much evidence to sift through, it is wise to consult with an attorney right away. Call our firm today to speak directly with our West Palm Beach possession of a firearm lawyer Ronald Chapman about your case.

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WHY CHOOSE RONALD S. CHAPMAN, P.A.?

Investigate the prosecutor’s case against you.
Speak with your witnesses.
Present legal motions to the judge.
Investigate your defenses.
Represent you at your trial.
Try to get the best possible result for you.
  • Over 34 Years of Experience – Ronald S. Chapman has represented clients facing both state and federal charges since 1990, and he has had more than 200 trials.
  • Numerous 5-star Reviews – Our West Palm Beach law firm has accumulated five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, Lawyers.com, Avvo, and other sites.
  • Sole Practitioner– As a sole practitioner, Ronald S. Chapman works directly with each client he serves instead of handing them off to staff members.
  • Represents Clients in State and Federal Court – While some West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers handle only state charges or federal charges, Ronald S. Chapman handles both types of charges ranging from state-level assault charges to federal-level drug trafficking and white-collar crimes.
  • Bilingual Legal Services – Ronald S. Chapman provides legal services in English and Spanish, so you won’t have any trouble communicating with him.

Do You Have The Right To Possess A Firearm?

When you have a felony conviction, you lose certain civil rights, including the right to bear arms. However, some convicted felons manage to restore their civil rights, including the right to possess a firearm. If your rights are restored, you can use that fact to defend yourself.

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing

Florida has mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines in place for illegally possessing a firearm. If you have a prior felony conviction and are convicted of actual possession of a firearm, the judge has to sentence you to at least three years in prison. So consult with possession of a firearm attorney Ronald Chapman to discuss your case in order to possibly avoid such a harsh sentence.

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Real Clients, Real Testimonials

In the month of December 2015 I had to go to Court. That's when I contacted Attorney Ron Chapman and his assistant Elizabeth Amaro. I was feeling very desperate and disoriented. I can assure you it was a joy to have found them and known them. From the moment that I talked to Attorney Chapman and Ms. Elizabeth for the first time I commenced to restore security and hope that everything could be solved and it was. They went to Court with me, and my case was dismissed. For that reason I would like to thank them once again for their kind attention and professionalism and all the good work with my case and thus recommend Attorney Chapman because of his knowledge in the field of criminal law and for good client service.
Mercedes C

Recent Blogs/News

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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman underscores the impact of the Florida Supreme Court’s recent decision to amend Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191, as laid out in In Re: Amendments to Rule 3.191 (SC2022‑1123). These changes, which also affect Rule 3.134, took effect on July 1, 2025. New clock […]

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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal Defense Attorney Ron Chapman alerts Floridians to a significant change in state law that will take effect on October 1, 2025. Under Florida Senate Bill 1168 (SB 1168), the unlawful use of tracking devices in connection with violent or sexual crimes will be upgraded from a third-degree felony to […]

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Since 1990, Mr. Chapman has been representing people who have been accused of committing various types of crimes such as DUI, domestic violence, possession of a firearm, drug possession, expungement, traffic crimes, murder, manslaughter, crimes against children, sex crimes, crimes against the elderly, appeals, and violations of probation.
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.