With nearly 9,000 miles of coastline, Florida is a prime target for illegal drug trafficking and is a big distribution hub of illegal drugs, particularly cocaine, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Because of this, it’s no surprise that Florida law enforcement agencies take combating drug crime very seriously, particularly the delivery of controlled substances.
If you have been charged with the delivery of illegal drugs over 10 grams, then you may be facing severe penalties, including thousands of dollars in fines and a lengthy jail sentence. In order to give yourself the best chance at avoiding a conviction, you should contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Here at The Law Place, we don’t believe that you should suffer for the rest of your life because of one simple mistake. To avoid the stress of facing a drug charge, contact us today. Our attorneys share over 75 years of experience in dealing with the Florida legal system and helping clients just like you, so let us take the stress away and fight your charges. To schedule a free consultation and discuss your case in detail with skilled lawyers, call The Law Place today at (941) 444-4444. Phone lines are open 24/7.
What Are the Types of Drug Crimes in Venice, FL.?
There are many different types of drug charges that you could be facing in Venice, and these range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the circumstances surrounding the specific case. It can be confusing to understand the charges that you may be facing, and so for help understanding the varying degrees of drug charges, contact The Law Place today and speak to a knowledgeable lawyer. This in-depth knowledge is crucial when it comes to defending people fighting drug charges, and you can trust that our team of attorneys to assist you every step of the way and will offer you invaluable legal advice.
Listed below are some of the most common drug crimes in Venice, Florida:
- Drug possession.
- Possession of marijuana.
- Possession with the intent to sell.
- Drug trafficking/delivery.
- Obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
- Drug sale.
- Conspiracy to commit a drug crime.
When categorizing drug crimes, many factors are taken into account, and even things you may think is irrelevant, such as the location you were arrested, can have a huge impact on your case. For example, if you were found with an illegal drug in your possession while close to a school or daycare center, then your charges will be taken much more seriously.
If you are facing a charge for delivering over 10 grams of illegal drugs, then we highly advise you to get in touch with The Law Place today. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to offer you legal advice and the proper representation that you deserve, which will increase your chances of securing a positive outcome. Our attorneys are all highly qualified when it comes to drug crimes, so you can trust that our team will offer you the best chance at avoiding a conviction. Call us for a free consultation today.
Drug Trafficking Under Florida Statute
Florida Statute 893.13 clearly states all the different types of drug charges in Florida and the penalties you could be facing for committing any of them. It also explains the different degrees of charges you could be facing depending on certain circumstances.
Below is what the Florida Statute says about the delivery of schedule one illegal drugs over 10 grams:
“A person may not sell or deliver in excess of 10 grams of any substance named or described in Florida Statute 893.03, or any combination thereof, or any mixture containing any such substance. A person who violates this paragraph commits a felony of the first degree.”
Essentially, this means that the delivery of a Schedule One illegal substance is against the law and, if you were delivering over 10 grams of the substance, you have committed a first-degree felony. First-degree felonies are the most serious crimes, and therefore a conviction would result in the harshest penalties. If you were caught delivering over 10 grams of a lower schedule illegal substance, then you will be facing slightly more lenient charges.
It’s crucial that if you have been accused of delivering illegal drugs over 10 grams, then you need to contact a defense attorney. Drug charges can have a serious impact on the rest of your life, so it’s important that you don’t make the mistake of facing them alone. The skilled criminal defense lawyers at The Law Place will be able to build a strong defense on your behalf and will fight to ensure you secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Different Schedules Controlled Substance in Florida
In Florida, controlled substances are split up into five categories, depending on how addictive and potentially harmful the substance is deemed to be. The most harmful drugs are found in Schedule One, while the least harmful ones are in Schedule Five. A full list of the controlled substances and categories can be found in Florida Statute 893.03.
Schedule One
Drugs under Schedule One are the most addictive and dangerous ones, which means they have the highest potential to be abused and don’t have any medical value. If you are found delivering any Schedule One drugs, then you’ll be facing the highest penalties. Some of the most common schedule one drugs are the following:
- Heroin.
- Marijuana.
- LSD.
Schedule Two
The illegal drugs that are in Schedule Two still do have a high potential for addiction and abuse, but slightly less so than those in Schedule One, plus Schedule Two drugs have some approved medical uses. A few of the controlled substances in this category are listed below:
- Oxycodon.
- Adderal.
- Methamphetamine.
- Cocaine.
Schedule Three
The controlled substances in Schedule Three are considered to have a lower risk of addiction and abuse. This schedule contains:
- Ketamine.
- Anabolic steroids.
Schedule Four
Drugs that have a much lower chance of dependency and harm are in Schedule Four. Examples include the following:
- Talwin.
- Ambien.
- Xanax.
- Valium.
Schedule Five
The controlled substances in Schedule Five are considered the least addictive and dangerous. They include:
- Cough syrup.
- Motofen.
- Lyrica.
- Parepectolin.
Penalties for the Delivery of Illegal Drugs in Florida
As with all crimes, the penalties you could receive will depend entirely on the specific circumstances that surround your case. For drug charges, the sentence that offenders receive after a conviction is based upon the schedule of the illegal substance you were caught with and the amount you have. These penalties will likely be more severe if you’re charged with the delivery of illegal drugs or drug trafficking rather than just the possession of the controlled substances.
Some of the penalties you could be facing are listed below:
- First-degree felony – A fine of up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
- Second-degree felony – A fine of up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
- Third-degree felony – A fine up to $5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
It can be difficult to determine what degree your charge is a, and therefore hard to know what penalties you may be facing. For clearer information that’s specific to your case, you should contact The Law Place and schedule a free consultation with one of our drug defense lawyers.
Common Defenses Against Drug Delivery Charges in Venice, FL.
If you decide to hire our team at The Law Place, then you can be assured that we will utilize our resources, experience, and knowledge to create a strong defense and give you the best chance at a favorable outcome. We understand that every case is unique. Therefore, every defense must be tailored to the specific case. However, some of the most common defense strategies that The Law Place have successfully used when battling drug charges are listed below:
- The illegal drugs were not yours.
- The police officers used methods of entrapment.
- There were flaws in the methods that law enforcement used when identifying the illegal substance.
- The officers discovered the evidence that they used to charge you unlawfully.
- You have been misidentified as another person who possessed and attempted to deliver a controlled substance.
- The search warrant that the police officers used was invalid, or they were not allowed to search and seize.
- The illegal substances were incorrectly weighed.
What Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Do for Me?
Once you have contacted The Law Place, you will be able to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled criminal defense attorneys. During this first meeting, we will discuss your case with you so we can identify the charges you’re facing and explain what we think would be the best legal options for you, based on our professional and experienced opinion. We will also outline our fee structure in detail. We know how important a good attorney-client relationship is, so we will be completely transparent with you when it comes to our costs.
If you then decide to enlist the help of our law firm, our team will launch an in-depth investigation into your case. We will gather and examine the evidence, interview eyewitnesses, scrutinize reports and related documents, and more. We’ll also ensure that none of your rights were violated.
If you have been charged with drug trafficking or the delivery of controlled substances, then you should contact The Law Place today. The sooner you do, the more time you will be giving our team to build a strong defense on your behalf. All of our defense attorneys are highly qualified and well-versed in all kinds of drug crimes, so call us today and schedule a free consultation!
Contact The Law Place Today!
If you or a loved one have been charged with the delivery of a controlled substance over 10 grams, then you need the help of an experienced drug crime lawyer. If you don’t contact an attorney, you could end up convicted and facing devastating, long-lasting consequences. Our talented Venice-based lawyers are ready to fight on your behalf and ensure that you’re treated fairly.
Our phone lines are open 24/7, so don’t hesitate to get in touch! Call The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation at (941) 444-4444. Let us get you the best results possible. Call now to get started.
