Florida Statute, Section 893.135(1)(c)2, 893.135(1)(c)4 and 893.135(1)(c)5
If you have been charged with Trafficking in Hydrocodone, under Florida Statute, Section 893.135(1)(c)2, 893.135(1)(c)4 and 893.135(1)(c)5, you are facing a first-degree felony. Trafficking in Hydrocodone in the state of Florida means you knowingly sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered or brought into the state, or you were in actual or constructive possession of fourteen grams or more of hydrocodone, or any mixture containing hydrocodone. If you are facing such charges you should immediately contact a Sarasota criminal defense lawyer at The Law Firm.
Penalties for Trafficking in Hydrocodone
Your penalties for Trafficking in Hydrocodone will depend on the amount of the drug in your possession at the time of your arrest:
- If you are in possession of 14 grams or more of Hydrocodone, but less than 28 grams of the drug, you will face a mandatory minimum term of three years in prison, and will pay a fine of $50,000.
- If you are in possession of 28 grams or more of Hydrocodone, but less than 50 grams of the drug, you will face a mandatory minimum term of seven years in prison, and will pay a fine of $100,000.
- If you are in possession of 50 grams or more of Hydrocodone, but less than 200 grams of the drug, you will face a mandatory minimum term of fifteen years in prison, and will pay a fine of $500,000.
- If you are in possession of 200 grams or more of Hydrocodone, but less than 30 kilograms of the drug, you will face a mandatory minimum term of twenty-five years in prison, and will pay a fine of $750,000.
- If you are in possession of 30 kilograms or more of Hydrocodone, you will face life in prison, with no eligibility of discretionary early release, other than pardon, executive clemency or conditional medical release.
- If, in addition to committing the crime of Trafficking in Hydrocodone, you also killed an individual, or caused the intentional killing of an individual, or your conduct led to a natural—though not inevitable—lethal result, you have committed a capital felony, and could face the death penalty, or life in prison without parole.
- If you knowingly bring 60 kilograms or more of hydrocodone into the state of Florida, knowing the probable result of that importation would be the death of another person, you have committed a capital felony, and could be sentenced to death, or life in prison without parole.
Defenses to Trafficking in Hydrocodone
If you have been charged with Trafficking in Hydrocodone, your attorney will carefully craft a defense on your behalf, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest. Some of the more common defenses to the crime of Trafficking in Hydrocodone include the following:
- Law Enforcement did not have probable cause to conduct a search of your person, vehicle or home;
- There was no valid warrant in place prior to the search in which the police discovered Hydrocodone;
- You were unaware of the drugs in your car or home; or
- You were unaware of trafficking activities.
Getting the criminal defense you need from The Law Place
If you have been charged with Trafficking in Hydrocodone, it is imperative that you contact an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney from The Law Place as soon as possible. The quicker a criminal defense attorney from The Law Place can start building a defense on your behalf, the higher the likelihood of the most positive outcome possible. Because the penalties for Trafficking in Hydrocodone are so harsh, your attorney will work hard to have your charges lowered or dismissed due to unlawful actions on the part of the police. Call 941-444-4444 today for an exceptional defense from a criminal defense attorney at The Law Place.
