Fort Lauderdale Federal Drug Crime Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale Federal Drug Crime Attorney

Federal drug crime charges are generally reserved for interstate trafficking or large-scale operations. As a result, federal drug crime penalties can be severe. If you’re facing charges, you need to hire a Fort Lauderdale federal drug crime lawyer who can help you craft an effective defense.

The team here at The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, has handled many federal drug crime cases in our years of practicing criminal defense law. We understand federal drug crime laws and how they can be applied to different circumstances, and have the skill and knowledge to leverage those laws to help our clients obtain positive results. You can trust us to offer sage legal advice and aggressive representation throughout your proceedings.

Hire a Federal Drug Crime Lawyer

In Southern Florida, drug crimes make up 23.0% of all federal cases. Powder cocaine is the most seized substance, at 53.8% of all drugs confiscated, but methamphetamine and fentanyl are also frequently seized in federal drug crime operations. Of those accused, 96.8% plead guilty, while 3.2% opt to go to trial.

Whether you plan on accepting a plea deal or want to go to court, you need to hire a federal drug crime lawyer to represent you. Your lawyer will be able to help you understand the charges being brought against you, analyze your case, and offer legal advice regarding the way to move forward with it. If your case goes to trial, they will provide you with courtroom representation. If you decide to take a plea deal, your lawyer can negotiate with the prosecution.

Federal vs. State-Level Drug Charges

There are some critical differences between the types of drug charges prosecuted under federal law and those handled by Florida’s state courts. One key difference lies in the jurisdictional authority. Federal drug charges often arise when defendants:

• Bring drugs across State or international boundaries
• Traffic large quantities of controlled substances
• Participate in organized schemes
• Possess or sell drugs on federal property

Those charges handled by Florida state courts typically involve smaller amounts of drugs and are limited to crimes that occur within the State’s boundaries.

Understanding the Controlled Substances Act

The Controlled Substances Act is a federal law that defines and categorizes controlled substances based on abuse potential and accepted medical uses into schedules. A lower schedule indicates a larger potential for abuse and a lower potential for accepted medical use:

• Schedule I. These substances do not have any medical uses and are highly prone to abuse. Examples include heroin and LSD.
• Schedule II. These substances have a high potential for abuse but have some potential medical uses. Examples include fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, and Adderall.
• Schedule III. These substances have only a moderate potential for abuse. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and prescription drugs containing 90 milligrams or less of codeine per dose.
• Schedule IV. These substances have only a low potential for abuse. Examples include Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Ambien.
• Schedule V. These drugs have the lowest potential for abuse. Examples include Lyrica, Lomotil, and cough syrups containing codeine such as Robitussin AC.

Possession of any of these substances can instigate a federal drug crime investigation, but you’ll be more likely to face serious charges for trafficking in Schedule I or II drugs.

Penalties for Federal Drug Crimes

Federal drug crime penalties vary depending on the substance in question and how much of it you’re accused of possessing. Whether your drug-related activities led to death or serious injury will also affect your minimum and maximum prison sentences. If convicted, you would most likely be sent to a local Federal Detention Center like FDC Miami. For a conviction on serious charges, some individuals may later explore options like seeking a presidential pardon.

FAQs

What Is the New Drug Law in Florida?

The new drug law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, SB 878, reforms misdemeanor drug probation. Effective as of July 1, 2025, SB 878 allows judges the flexibility to create more personalized probation terms for misdemeanor drug offenders. These terms can include things like reporting or testing. SB 878 also extends probation up to a year for substance-related misdemeanors while simultaneously offering pathways for the early termination of probation for compliant offenders.

How Do You Beat a Drug Possession Charge in Florida?

You can try to beat a drug possession charge in Florida with the help of a Fort Lauderdale federal drug crime attorney. Your attorney can help you craft an effective defense against the charges, which can include actual innocence, entrapment, or legal use. Your lawyer can also look for violations of your Fourth Amendment rights, which can invalidate any evidence obtained via illegal search and seizure, leaving the prosecution without the proof it needs to convict.

How Much Does a Drug Crime Lawyer Cost in Florida?

How much a drug crime lawyer costs in Florida varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the crime and whether it goes to trial. It usually costs less to accept a plea deal before your trial date than it does to go to court. Whether your case goes to trial or not, it’s generally more affordable to defend against simple, straightforward charges than more complex cases.

Does the 33-Day Rule in Florida Apply to Federal Charges?

The 33-day rule in Florida does not apply to federal charges. If you’re facing federal charges, you can expect the court to follow different rules and procedures. The federal prosecutor will still have deadlines to follow, but they won’t be the same as Florida’s state-level rules. Federal cases fall under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure instead.

Fort Lauderdale Federal Drug Crime Lawyer

Facing charges for a federal drug crime can be scary, but you don’t have to go through this challenging legal process alone. You can work with a Fort Lauderdale federal drug crime lawyer to improve your chances of beating your charges. The team here at The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, is here to help. We have extensive experience with taking on federal drug crime cases and have been practicing criminal law for many years. Contact us to schedule an initial appointment today.