Drug crimes involving manufacturing a controlled substance are considered the most difficult kind of drug cases in the State of Florida. The charges for manufacturing illegal drugs are severe, as it includes a combination of penalties for drug possession with intent to sell and drug trafficking charges.
You could be facing hefty fines, and an extensive prison sentence for a manufacturing of controlled substances charge, depending on the schedule of the drug that you have been accused of manufacturing and the quantity that was found in your possession. It is possible that you could be charged with committing a third-degree felony or even a first-degree felony. Nonetheless, both crimes carry lengthy jail sentences and large fines.
If you are being accused of manufacturing a controlled substance with intent to sell, then we highly recommend that you seek legal counsel from a reputable law firm in order to have the best chance of minimizing the charges and reducing the severity of the consequences for your drug crime. The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience in fighting drug crimes ranging from drug possession, to possession with intent to sell, to manufacturing controlled substances, and many others. We have had the privilege of helping clients in Clearwater and all over the State of Florida to beat their drug-related charges.
Our law firm has extensive knowledge of drug laws, and we will be able to guide you through the legal system with efficiency. If you are in search of the finest legal advice, then get in contact with a Clearwater drug lawyer from The Law Place today. We will conduct an investigation, gather relevant information, discuss the facts with the prosecutor, and develop a strong defense method to combat your Florida drug charges.
Don’t hesitate to call The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation, where a Clearwater criminal defense lawyer will walk you through the process of building a case and what you can expect from us. The phone lines to our office are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We are ready when you are.
Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 to set up a free case evaluation, and we will fight your manufacturing illegal drugs with the intent to sell charges together in Clearwater.
The Legal Definition of Manufacturing Controlled Substances
Florida Statute 893.13 clearly lays out the law regarding drug possession, possession with intent to supply, and manufacturing of controlled substances.
The law applies to any individual who is caught making any contribution to the process of manufacturing a controlled substance. The Florida Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act states that any individual who indirectly or directly contributes to the processing, converting, growing, cultivating, compounding, preparing, or manufacturing an illegal drug can face serious charges. It also includes packaging, repackaging, or relabelling controlled substances.
In addition, it is possible to be charged for being in possession or attempting to sell specialist equipment or certain chemicals that are used to manufacture illegal drugs. Furthermore, it is completely illegal to offer any kind of assistance in the process of manufacturing illegal drugs.
What Are the Consequences of Manufacturing Illicit Drugs in Clearwater, FL?
The kind of consequences that you might receive for manufacturing illegal drugs will depend on the facts of your individual case. Usually, it will come down to the schedule of the drug and the amount that was found in your possession. A charge for manufacturing controlled substances is often complex , and it is possible that you could also be charged with drug trafficking or drug possession with intent to sell.
If you are looking to find out the extent of the consequences that you might be facing, then get in touch with The Law Place to schedule a free consultation. Our office is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that we can be there for you when you need it the most.
Here are some examples of the weight of substances that can potentially result in a second-degree felony, with penalties that include spending up to fifteen years in prison alongside receiving a $10,000 fine:
- Opiates such as heroin, opium, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone in quantities up to 4 grams.
- Phencyclidine (also known as PCP or angel dust) in quantities up to 28 grams.
- Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (also known as GHB) in quantities up to a kilogram.
- Flunitrazepam (also known as the date-rape drug Rohypnol, sometimes referred to as ‘roofies,’ in quantities up to 4 grams.
- Methamphetamine in quantities up to 14 grams.
The amount of drug that is found in your possession will ultimately be the determining factor for your charges. However, if you exceed the quantity of the drugs as listed previously, then you could be charged with drug trafficking, which is classed as a first-degree felony under Florida law.
There can also be extra charges in a drug manufacturing case that are not usually applicable in the case of a simple possession charge or even for drug possession with intent to sell. Furthermore, if you are caught in possession of chemicals that are often used to produce drugs, this can potentially result in a separate charge of a second-degree felony.
Other actives, such as renting a space with the intention of manufacturing drugs, can also be charged with a third-degree felony.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. The Drug Schedules Explained
There are five schedules and lists on illegal drugs and controlled substances that are regulated by the state and federal governments in the State of Florida. The schedules descend in order in terms of the harm and addictive nature of the controlled substances according to government law. For example, a Schedule I substance will result in the harshest penalties for being caught in possession with intent to sell, while a Schedule V substance carries lesser penalties.
Here are some prime examples of the five schedules of illegal drugs and controlled substances:
- Schedule I substances – Examples include heroin, crack cocaine, and LSD, as they contain the highest potential risk for addiction and abuse. Additionally, these substances have no accepted medical value.
- Schedule II substances – Examples include cocaine, Oxycontin, and methadone, and they contain a high potential risk for addiction and abuse. However, they also have some accepted medical value, and they can even be prescribed in some circumstances.
- Schedule III substances – Examples include steroids and ketamine, and they are classed as a middle-ground of potential risk for addiction and abuse.
- Schedule IV substances – Examples include Xanax and Tramadol, and they have the second-lowest potential risk for addiction and abuse.
- Schedule V substances – Examples include Lyrica and Motfen, and they contain the lowest potential risk for addiction and abuse.
If you want to get a better idea of the consequences that you might be facing, then you will need to speak to a criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place. We will be able to discuss the facts of your case and help you to understand the path ahead more clearly.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience How the Prosecution Proves Guilt in a Clearwater Drug Manufacture Case
The prosecutor is required to prove three things beyond any reasonable doubt in the case of a drug manufacturing with intent to sell charge. They must all be proven, and the responsibility to do this lies in the hands of the prosecution. This is called the burden of proof. However, it is not as easy as it seems to prove a case of drug manufacturing, but the good news is that it will give your criminal defense lawyer a better chance to contest your charges.
- The accused individual was in clear possession of the substance, they had manufactured the drug/intended to manufacture the drug, and they had the intention to sell it.
- The controlled substance that the individual possessed was one of the controlled substances listed in the statutes.
- The individual had full knowledge that the controlled substance was illegal.
There are seven factors that law enforcement tends to use in order to prove that the individual had the intent to sell:
- The individual had large amounts of cash in their possession, such as in their jacket pocket, in their home, or in their vehicle near the location of the drugs.
- There was drug packaging or equipment close to the location of the drugs.
- There was drug paraphernalia in the home, car, or on the individual themselves. Paraphernalia includes scales, testing kits, rolling papers, mixing devices, and balances.
- The individual possessed weapons.
- Law enforcement was informed by other individuals who are associated with the manufacturer of the drugs regarding the intent to sell.
- The individual possessed an excessive amount of drugs, which was large enough to prove the intent to sell.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. What Other Defenses Could Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Use?
The Law Place has achieved success by using the following defense methods and strategies to contest drug crimes:
- The weight of the illegal drugs that the individual possessed was incorrectly weighted and did not meet the limit for the charges.
- Law enforcement encountered the evidence for the case in a manner that is considered unlawful.
- The individual was incorrectly identified as someone else who is actually manufacturing controlled substances.
- The method used to identify the drugs was flawed.
- The illegal drugs or the equipment used to manufacture the controlled substance does not belong to the individual.
- Law enforcement behaved in a manner that could be deemed as unlawful entrapment.
A Florida criminal defense lawyer will discuss the details of your case to help you understand the drug laws in the State of Florida and find the best defense strategy.
The Law Place specializes in fighting drug charges, and our team of highly trained criminal defense lawyers is well-versed in this practice. But above all else, we will listen to your story and what you have to say. It is very important that you trust in the attorney-client relationship so that we can understand your case on a deeper level and tailor a defense method that will take down the prosecution in the courtroom.
How Much Will a Criminal Defense Lawyer From The Law Place in Clearwater Cost You?
It is unlikely that we will be able to give an exact price for our services without discussing the case with you first, as there are lots of factors involved in cases like manufacturing illegal drugs with intent to sell, which must be considered.
However, we are always fully transparent with our clients. As soon as we have reviewed the facts of your case during your free consultation, then we will be able to explain our fee structure and agree on a personalized payment that suits you. The Law Place truly believes in a trusting attorney-client relationship, and we will work closely with you to achieve a favorable outcome for your case.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you are facing accusations for manufacturing illegal drugs with the intent to sell in Clearwater, then you are going to need all the help that you can possibly get. You cannot afford to mess around when it comes to drug crimes, and it is imperative for your case that you reach out to a reputable law firm like The Law Place to protect your future and legal rights.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to fighting drug crimes, such as drug trafficking, possession, manufacturing, and many others. We have the necessary knowledge to tackle your case and achieve a reasonable outcome. Our law firm has a dedicated team of criminal defense attorneys who are trained to find the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s arguments and represent you in the State of Florida.
If you are searching for the best legal advice in town, then you have come to the right place – The Law Place. If you call us today to schedule a free consultation, then a criminal defense lawyer will discuss the facts of your case, answer all your questions, and tell you how we can be of service. The conversation will be completely confidential under the attorney-client relationship privilege, so you do not have to worry about reprisal.
If you choose to hire us to represent you in court at the end of the free consultation, then a criminal defense lawyer will get to work on investigating your case, gathering facts and evidence, negotiating with the prosecution, and developing a strong defense strategy – all the while, we will fill you in every step of the way. We have helped many clients who are facing the same situation as you and will do our best to reduce the charges ad minimize the consequences that you are up against.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Law Place today. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week – so we are available at the time that you need support the most.
Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 to set up a free case evaluation, and we will fight your manufacturing illegal drugs with the intent to sell charges together in Clearwater.
