Drug crimes are growing more present in North Port, Florida, and there is no doubt that the state wants to uphold its strict drug laws. When facing charges for a drug crime, you will need an experienced defense attorney at your side.
Florida has some of the toughest drug laws in America, so without the right attorney defending your case, you could end up facing some extremely harsh charges, which could lead to severe consequences in your life.
The severity of the drug crime will determine the outcome of your case as well as whether you will be convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor or a first-degree felony. If you don’t have support from a professional, experienced law firm, you could face years in prison, drug charges, or unaffordable fines.
If you have been accused of drug trafficking, there’s a possibility you could face up to 30 years in prison without the correct defense attorney at your side. With our team of criminal defense attorney’s extensive knowledge and over seventy-five years of combined experience, The Law Place is confident we can aid the outcome of your case.
Whether you are seeking advice for yourself or somebody else, The Law Place is here to listen to your case 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can put your mind at ease by calling us for a free consultation at (941) 444-4444.
What Are the Florida Statutes Regarding Drug Crime?
In Florida, it is against the law to sell, deliver, manufacture, or possess illegal controlled substances, as stated in Florida Statute 893.13.
If you are accused of a drug crime, including drug trafficking, you could be charged with a range of penalties. This could result in you serving up to 30 years in prison with shocking fines of up to $10,000 if you are not supported by a criminal defense lawyer.
- First-degree misdemeanor – Considered to be the least harsh drug charge. You can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor if found in possession of 20 grams of marijuana. The punishment includes facing up to one year in jail and paying a fine of up to $1,000.
- Third-degree felony – Although considered to be a much less harsh charge than a first-degree felony, if you are caught in possession with the purpose of selling, trafficking, or manufacturing illegal drugs, then you will be charged with a third-degree felony. The penalties include paying a fine of up to $5,000 and facing up to five years in prison.
- Second-degree felony – If found in possession of drugs with the intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture any Schedule One or Schedule Two substances, then you could be convicted of a second-degree felony. The punishments include paying a fine of up to $10,000 and facing up to fifteen years in prison.
- First-degree felony – The highest drug charge passed in Florida. An example of a first-degree felony charge is being found in possession of 20 grams or more of any Schedule One or Schedule Two drug. Being charged with a felony in the first degree could result in you spending up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
Therefore, it is important to seek the help of an experienced attorney to help the outcome of your case and avoid facing a strict sentence.
Drug Schedules of Controlled Substances
Florida measures the severity of drug charges by using a five-schedule system. This system categorizes drugs from the most dangerous and addictive to the least harmful and less addictive drugs.
The schedule of the controlled substance that the defendant has been found trafficking will usually determine the severity of a defendant’s charge.
Schedule I
This consists of controlled substances that are considered to be the most harmful. Some examples of these drugs consist of:
- Crack.
- Heroin.
- Methadone.
- Marijuana.
- LSD/acid.
- Ecstasy.
Schedule II
Although considered less harmful than Schedule One, these drugs are still considered to be very addictive. Some of the drugs that exist in Schedule Two can be prescribed by doctors but can also be abused by users. Some examples of these drugs consist of:
- Cocaine.
- Fentanyl.
- Adderall.
- Methamphetamine.
- Dexedrine.
- Hydromorphone.
- Ritalin.
Schedule III
Considered to be less harmful than the first two schedules. Although these drugs can be prescribed for pharmaceutical use, if used for recreational use or abused, then these drugs can become very harmful. Some examples of these drugs consist of:
- Ketamine.
- Steroids.
- Codeine (less than 90 milligrams of dosage).
Schedule IV
Categorized as low reliance drugs, many of these drugs are for pharmaceutical use and are considered to be less harmful drugs in Florida. Some examples of these drugs consist of:
- Valium.
- Xanax.
- Tramadol.
- Ambient.
- Soma.
Schedule V
Considered to be the least harmful and addictive controlled substances. Some examples of these drugs consist of:
- Cough medicine (less than 200 milligrams).
- Motoren.
- Lyrica.
- Parepectolin.
Lomita.
What Could I Be Charged With, in North Port, FL?
There are several different drug charges you could have to face if you don’t hire the right lawyer.
Some different examples of drug crimes in Florida are:
- Possessing drug paraphernalia, this is includes anything that could be used in regards to taking drugs, storing drugs, cannabis farming, planting, controlling.
- The selling of a controlled substance.
- Drug trafficking of a controlled substance.
- The purchase of a controlled substance with the intent to sell.
You can find more information on fines in Florida Statute 775.083. Florida takes the law on controlled substances very seriously, and if you don’t have a professional and experienced attorney at your side, you could be facing harsh penalties. This is why we urge you to give us a call today. All of our attorneys are willing to help you and your defense.
What Information Must Be Provided by the Prosecution to Prove Intent to Sell/Traffick?
If you are being convicted of drug trafficking, selling drugs, or intent to sell, the prosecutor must provide enough evidence against the defendant to prove a case against them beyond a reasonable doubt.
Some examples of evidence that a prosecutor can successfully use against a defendant in a court of law include:
- Evidence from a buyer that the defendant has attempted to sell them drugs.
- A statement from the defendant claiming that they did in fact attempt to sell drugs.
- U.S. currency or unusually large amounts of money being found present on the defendant.
- Possession of a firearm or weapon.
- Evidence of any drug paraphernalia.
Possible Defenses for Drug Sale Charges
To have a strong enough defense to beat your case, you will need an attorney that you can put your faith in. Here at The Law Place, our attorneys will take the time necessary to carefully go through your case to ensure no fine details are left out. Even the smallest details could determine whether the defendant goes to jail or pays a minimal fine.
Here are some examples of evidence that could be vital to your case if you have been charged with drug trafficking, intent to sell, manufacturing, or purchasing with the intent to supply:
- The controlled substance did not belong to you.
- The drugs were intended for personal use.
- The was no official search warrant out for the defendant at the scene of the crime.
- The controlled substance found at the scene was less than 10 grams.
- The officers present at the scene are guilty of entrapment.
Our attorneys leave no stone unturned, as we know how important any missed detail can be in a criminal defense case, no matter how small.
Things You May Want to Know About Your Defense Lawyer
We understand how difficult it must be to choose the right law firm and a suitable attorney. But with the support of an excellent attorney-client relationship and through your free consultation, we can put your mind at ease.
The law can be complex and confusing. This is why we are here to guide you through each step of your case. Our attorneys will make sure that you feel comfortable enough to share any additional information with us. The more honest you are about your case, the better your chances at the best possible outcome for you.
Here are a few questions that you may wish to ask your defense attorney:
- Have you ever solved a case that is similar to mine?
- Have you won cases like mine before?
- Do you have a record of your past cases, and do you have references for them?
- How many plea bargains have you been successful in?
These are all questions that could help you come to a decision on which attorney will be the right one for you. At our law firm, we want to ensure that you can put your trust in us above all else.
Call The Law Place for Free Today
We know how frightening entering a case can be and the uncertainty you might be feeling at this time, but in your free consultation, we can answer any questions that you have about your case. Our attorneys are highly trained, trustworthy, and experienced, so they can offer fierce legal representation for you.
Please do not hesitate to call. It is important that your case is in the hands of the best legal representatives possible so that you are taken seriously in court. Our attorneys want to put their skills to work.
Here at The Law Place, we really do care about our clients, and we have a genuine interest in the outcome of the case. Not only will we manage your case with the utmost expertise, but there is always somebody at our law firm that is available to talk to you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We ensure that all of our cases are kept highly confidential. Our attorneys are ready to answer any questions that you may have. Let us support you throughout your case. Call us anytime, for free, at (941) 444-4444.
