When you get arrested for allegedly trafficking drugs, you may be feeling angry, frustrated, and scared about what is going to happen next. Under criminal laws, you have the right to defend yourself against the charges against you, including by hiring a paid attorney rather than working with a public defender. If you get a conviction, it can change the course of years of your life, so consider partnering with a Lake County drug trafficking lawyer who has the resources to give you and your case the attention it deserves.
Our experienced drug defense attorneys are fiercely passionate about championing the rights of those accused of a range of drug crimes. We understand the high stakes potentially involved and could use our deep knowledge and experience to find effective ways to try to minimize the penalties. We treat our clients like people, and respect that we are visitors to your story and that this is your life.
Drug possession and trafficking both involve getting caught with illegal substances; however, they are typically different based on the quantity and type of compounds involved. Under Florida Statutes § 893.13, it is against the law to possess certain amounts of controlled substances, which Fla. Stat. § 893.03 organizes by schedule. For example, someone arrested for delivering 20 grams or less of cannabis may face a misdemeanor charge.
Fla. Stat. § 893.135 outlines the rules against trafficking drugs. Generally, these charges involve a higher quantity of certain substances. For example, the police may saddle someone with a drug trafficking charge if the person has 28 grams or more of cocaine, or 4 grams or more of fentanyl.
When the Lake County police department picks you up for drug trafficking, our attorney could help you understand and assert your rights. We can appreciate the frustration and fear that you may be experiencing after the arrest. Our legal team has the tools to develop a potent legal strategy in your favor.
If the judge or jury decides you are guilty, you may face a range of consequences depending on several factors, such as the type of crime (e.g., misdemeanor or felony), the degree, and your criminal record. Additionally, the context of the charge—e.g., if weapons were involved or if anyone died—may play a role in the potential outcome. If the government is accusing you of committing multiple crimes at the same time—e.g., possession, trafficking, assault—this can also impact your sentence.
For example, if the authorities catch you with between 400 grams and 150 kilograms of cocaine, you may be looking at a potential minimum sentence of 15 years or more and up to $250,000 in fines. This conviction may show up on your record as a first-degree felony, punishable under Fla. Stat. § 775.082. Under Fla. Stat. § 775.084, you may face steeper penalties if you are found guilty of this crime and have multiple offenses on your record.
Our team of Lake County attorneys could help you defend yourself against drug trafficking charges, such as by finding flaws in the government’s case against you. Likewise, we could explore ways to negotiate a lesser sentence in a plea deal with the prosecution, helping to limit the impact on your life going forward. Additionally, we could talk to character witnesses and thoroughly review the evidence to tear down the arguments used by the prosecution, such as by showing that you are not the one who committed the crime.
When the government thinks you committed a serious offense, it can feel stifling and take your agency from you. Instead of going up against the full force of the Lake County prosecutor’s office with a public defender or by yourself, partner with a seasoned advocate at The Umansky Law Firm.
As a private criminal defense firm, we could provide you with a higher level of personalized legal attention than many public attorneys. We could work tirelessly to make sure your best interests are represented during the trial and in communication with the prosecution. Reach out to a Lake County drug trafficking lawyer on our team to schedule a no-obligation, completely confidential consultation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
