Experienced Counsel for Florida Drug Trafficking Defense
When you hear the term drug trafficking, you might imagine international drug cartels, highly organized distribution systems, or elaborate importation schemes involving trucks or aircraft. Here in Florida, however, drug trafficking refers to a very specific set of drug offenses involving the sale, possession, delivery or cultivation of particular controlled substances in particular quantities.
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Although they cover a wide range of different substances, the Florida drug trafficking laws have one thing in common — mandatory minimum sentences upon conviction. If you need a lawyer's advice about the defense strategies that might steer you clear of our state's severe drug trafficking penalties, contact the Clearwater office of Joseph Montrone, Jr., P.A. I offer free initial consultations and a commitment to protecting my clients' interests by whatever means the facts of the case present.
Typical of Florida drug trafficking laws is the sentencing scheme for cocaine or PCP. When the possession or distribution offense involves a quantity between 28 and 200 grams, the minimum sentence imposed by law is 3 years' imprisonment and a $50,000 fine. If the quantity is over 200 grams but less than 400 grams, the prison term is 7 years with a $100,000 fine, and so on.
Mandatory minimum sentences can kick in for very small quantities of certain drugs — 14 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of Ecstasy, or even 4 grams of heroin, Rohypnol, or Oxycodone/OxyContin. Almost 20 different drugs are specifically identified for mandatory minimum sentences under Florida's drug trafficking statutes.
One important goal in defending a client facing actual or potential drug trafficking charges is to convince the prosecution to drop the trafficking charge. The most promising strategy for doing so will often be based on problems with the search and seizure of the drugs found by law enforcement, but in some cases diversion and pretrial intervention will be available to a person otherwise exposed to the risk of a stiff prison term.
Mere Possession Can Support a Drug Trafficking Charge in Certain Cases
Drug trafficking can cover a wide range of situations ranging from marijuana cultivation to meth lab operations. Especially in cases involving club drugs or narcotics where a very small quantity can lead to serious trouble, I can work toward proving that my client had no interest in selling or distributing the illegal drugs. Even prescription fraud and so-called "doctor shopping" can expose a person to the risk of serious criminal penalties.
For more information about my experience with the defense of Florida drug trafficking charges in the Tampa Bay Area, contact my office in Clearwater for a free consultation.
