Fort Lauderdale Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale Drug Trafficking Attorney

Florida takes drug crimes very seriously, especially trafficking. If you’re being accused of this crime, hire a Fort Lauderdale drug trafficking lawyer right away. You’ll need professional legal counsel to offer advice and potentially represent you during a trial, should you decide to go that route.

Whether you want to take your case all the way to trial or accept a plea deal if one is offered, you need a skilled Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer to advocate for you and your rights. You can trust The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, to help. Our team has years of experience in practicing criminal law, and in that time, we’ve seen it all. No matter the scale of the drug trafficking charges you’re facing, we can help.

Hire a Drug Trafficking Lawyer

In 2022, drug crimes accounted for 34% of all the federal crimes reported in the State, which is noticeably higher than the national average of 31.5%. That accounts for only the federal crimes and none of the state-level offenses. In 2023, powder cocaine accounted for nearly 50% of the drugs involved in federal cases, with methamphetamine coming in second at 25.1%. However, Florida has a general problem with drugs, including others such as fentanyl and heroin.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you’re being accused of selling a small amount of crack cocaine or trafficking a large amount of fentanyl. In either case, you could face substantial penalties, and you need to hire a drug trafficking lawyer. Your lawyer can help you evaluate the prosecution’s case against you and come up with evidence to support an alternative theory of the crime. They can also help you negotiate a plea deal if you decide to go that route.

Drug Trafficking

The term drug trafficking is typically associated with large-scale operations that involve distributing massive amounts of controlled substances or transporting them across state lines. Technically, drug trafficking can involve delivering, manufacturing, or selling drugs at any relatively large scale. These laws apply to all the controlled substances mentioned under Florida’s drug laws.

Possession, Distribution, or Trafficking

Drug possession charges are much less serious than drug distribution or trafficking. Generally, the difference between these charges lies in the amount of a controlled substance you have in your possession. If it exceeds a certain threshold, you’ll be charged with a drug trafficking crime. Those thresholds vary by substance.

Law enforcement can also infer the intent to sell or distribute. If there is evidence suggesting that you are going to sell the drugs, including paraphernalia like scales and packaging materials, you could also be charged with a trafficking offense. The same may be true if you’re caught with both drugs and large amounts of cash in your possession.

As with the difference between drug possession and drug distribution, the difference between distribution and trafficking is largely one of scale. Florida Statute 893.135 sets limits for what’s considered trafficking. To be convicted of this offense, you must have more than:

• 25 lbs of cannabis
• 28 g of cocaine
• 4 g of heroin or a similar drug
• 14 g of hydrocodone
• 7 g of oxycodone
• 4 g of fentanyl or a similar drug
• 14 g of methamphetamine or amphetamine
• 1 g of LSD

The punishments for drug trafficking are more severe than those associated with drug distribution, with the most substantial charges reaching a maximum of life imprisonment.

Enhanced Sentencing

You’ll also face enhanced sentencing if you are convicted of drug trafficking under certain circumstances. They include:

• Being caught within 1,000 feet of a school, childcare facility, church, or recreational facility where a minor is present
• Committing the drug trafficking offense in the presence of a minor

FAQs

How Do I Get a Drug Trafficking Charge Dismissed in Florida?

You may be able to get a drug trafficking charge dismissed in Florida with the help of a Fort Lauderdale drug trafficking attorney. Your lawyer can evaluate the prosecution’s case against you and check to make sure the investigation did not involve the violation of your Fourth Amendment rights. Any evidence obtained during an illegal search and seizure is inadmissible in court, which could lead to your case being thrown out.

What Is the Minimum Sentence for Drug Trafficking in Florida?

The minimum sentence for drug trafficking in Florida, as defined in Statute Section 893.135, is three years in prison and a fine. However, the specific penalties vary depending on the type and number of drugs involved. The possession of up to 2,000 cannabis plants will get you three years in prison, but getting caught with more than 150 kilograms of cocaine is punishable by life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

What Are the Odds of Going to Jail for Selling Drugs in Florida?

The odds of going to jail for selling drugs in Florida are very high because the State has strict mandatory minimum sentencing laws in place for all trafficking offenses. The specific drug trafficking penalties you’ll face will vary depending on what type of drug you were caught selling and how much of it you had. However, selling most controlled substances, even in small amounts, is a felony offense.

Can First-Time Drug Offenders Face Jail Time in Florida?

First-time drug offenders can face jail time in Florida because the penalties are determined primarily by the type and quantity of drugs involved, not the defendant’s prior record. If you’re facing possession charges, you’re less likely to go to jail for a first offense than you would be with trafficking charges.

Fort Lauderdale Drug Trafficking Lawyer

You don’t have to fight your drug trafficking charges alone. You can work with a Fort Lauderdale drug trafficking lawyer to come up with an effective defense against your charges. The team here at The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, has years of experience with drug trafficking laws. We’ve successfully defended countless clients facing drug crime charges. We can help with your drug trafficking case, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.