Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyers:

If you have been convicted for the trafficking of drugs or a controlled substance in Florida, you should contact experienced drug trafficking defense lawyers immediately. These charges come with serious penalties and the consequences can last for a lifetime.

Photo of a Drug Trafficking Bust which often results in the need of drug trafficking defense lawyers

Our Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyers are dedicated, experienced and aggressive.

At the Fernandez Law Group, we have over 50 years of combined legal and litigation experience with drug trafficking charges. We also handle drug violations and cases involving drug possession, drug sale and manufacture of controlled substances. We provide you with a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys to aggressively represent and provide you with the best possible defense.

Our team features former prosecutors who have over 20 years of experience in handling drug trafficking cases from the prosecution side which gives our clients another significant advantage.

The prosecutor must be able to show that a defendant knowingly participated in drug trafficking activities. They must also demonstrate that the defendant was aware and also had intent to bring an amount of drugs into Florida large enough to constitute drug trafficking charges.

Fernandez Law Group Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyers and Associates

Drug trafficking defendants also have rights which protect from illegal search and seizure.

Our drug trafficking defense lawyers will examine all evidence and determine whether or not any of it was obtained in violation of Constitutional rights – rendering that evidence inadmissible in court.

Any alleged evidence or materials seized will be questioned and evaluated thoroughly to see if proper handling and protocol was followed.

Is the chemical analysis alleging the materials were controlled substances flawed or faulty? Our team of independent experts can help determine if the evidence is inadmissable.

Additionally, we can examine whether or not entrapment comes into play and can be used in your defense.

For example, entrapment occurs if you had no prior intention on committing an offense, but were persuaded to commit the offense by a law enforcement officer.

Criminal Defense:

Jeff Quisenberry, my attorney, did so much for me in my case this past year which kept me out of prison and home with my family. He did and amazing job working with me and my family. I would recommend Jeff and Fernandez law group to anyone who needs a very experienced law firm.

Rated 5 out of 5 Rated 5 out of 5 by Jason Burton on Google review for Fernandez Law Group Tampa Lawyerson January 30, 2016 | Link to Review

We find that many of our clients who have been hit with drug trafficking charges in Florida do not realize that a confidential informant can be considered law enforcement as part of your defense and it is crucial that you have strong representation in order to attack the credibility of any informants.

In addition, Chapter 934 of the Florida Statutes and the Constitution require law enforcement to follow strict legal procedures when attempting to obtain information from wiretaps and oral or electronic communication interception devices. Therefore, we also examine these details to determine whether or not those rights were violated.

Penalties and Punishments for Trafficking of Drugs or Controlled Substances in Florida:

The intentional manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, delivery or transporting of a specific amount of any drug or controlled substance over a minimum amount constitutes drug trafficking charges in the state of Florida, and those minimums are as follows:

  • Cannabis: 25 pounds or 300 plants
  • Cocaine: 28 grams
  • Ecstasy/MDMA:10 grams
  • LSD: 1 gram
  • Hydrocodone: 14 grams
  • Oxycodone:7 grams

Any defendant who is found in possession of any amount equal to or greater of the above substance minimum amounts can face drug trafficking penalties in Florida.

Drug SeizureThe trafficking of drugs or controlled substances in Florida can be prosecuted as a first degree felony resulting in a range of sentences. While a maximum term of thirty years for a first degree felony is established by Florida law, state laws also establish specific terms of imprisonment – all of which depend on the quantity and type of drug involved in the trafficking.

Many drug trafficking offenses in Florida include mandatory minimum sentences with punishments that increase as the quantity of drugs or controlled substances increases. Experienced drug trafficking defense lawyers can play a vital role in reducing charges and subsequent punishments.

Florida state laws also include provisions to allow enhanced sentencing for any defendants with prior felony convictions. Often referred to as “habitual felony offenders” or “career criminals” in State law, any defendant who qualifies for an enhanced sentence will likely see an increase in the term of imprisonment if convicted.

A defendant with two or more prior felony convictions in Florida, or under any other law in the United States, faces an increased penalty for subsequent convictions.

  • A conviction for a felony of the first-degree may be sentenced to a period of incarceration of up to life.
  • A conviction for a felony of the second degree may be sentenced to a period of incarceration of up to 30 years.
  • A conviction of a felony of a third degree may be sentenced to a period of incarceration of up to ten years.

Review the statute to determine whether your past convictions could result in an enhanced penalty.

* See Florida Criminal Code Section 775.084 for more information.

Florida Statute Section 893.135 provides the following mandatory minimums for drug trafficking as of 2018:

Cannabis Trafficking Penalties:

25-2000 pounds / 300-2000 cannabis plants:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 3 years, $25,000 fine.

2,000-10,000 pounds / 2,000-10,000 cannabis plants:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 7 years, $50,000 fine.

10,000 pounds or more / 10,000 or more cannabis plants:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 15 years, $200,000 fine.

Heroin, Morphine, Opium, & Hydromorphone Trafficking Penalties:

4-14 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 3 years, $50,000 fine.

14-28 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 15 years, $100,000 fine.

28 grams or more, less than 30 kilograms:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 25 years, $500,000 fine.

Cocaine Trafficking Penalties:

28-200 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 3 years, $50,000 fine.

200-400 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 7 years, $100,000 fine.

400 grams – 150 kilograms:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 15 years, 250,000 fine.

More than 150 kilograms:
– First degree felony, life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole

Hydrocodone Trafficking Penalties:

14-28 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 3 years, $50,000 fine.

28-50 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 7 years, $100,000 fine.

50-200 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 15 years, $500,000 fine.

200 grams or more, less than 30 kilograms:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 25 years, $750,000 fine.

Ecstasy, MDMA, & Phenethylamine Trafficking Penalties:

10 grams or more:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 3 years, $50,000 fine.

200-400 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 7 years, $100,000 fine.

400 grams or more:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 15 years, $250,000 fine.

Amphetamine & Methamphetamine Trafficking Penalties:

14-28 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 3 years, $50,000 fine.

28-200 grams:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 7 years, $100,000 fine.

200 grams or more:
– Mandatory Minimum sentence of 15 years, $250,000 fine.

 

Take advantage of our FREE consultation so you can begin understanding the severity of the charges you are facing. Learn what penalties may be applied, whether or not certain evidence is inadmissable, if entrapment occurred, and some defense strategies along with potential outcomes. You’ll be confident in your decision to call us once you speak with our drug trafficking defense lawyers.

CALL US TODAY AT 813-489-3222, USE OUR CONTACT FORM, EMAIL OR TEXT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AND CASE EVALUATION.

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