When the government arrests you for having large amounts of illegal substances in your control or possession, you may have concerns about what this means for your life and liberty going forward. You have the right to defend yourself against these charges and fight to get them dismissed or reduced to a lighter penalty.
While working with a public defender is an option, you may find it helpful to team up with a reliable drug defense attorney who likely has more time and resources to devote to your case.
An Orange County drug trafficking lawyer may be able to provide the clarity and grit you are looking for. We stay current on the latest developments in the criminal drug law arena, allowing us to create agile strategies to help defend our clients.
Our advocates have decades of hard-earned experience championing the rights of the accused, helping clients clear their names and get their lives back on track after an alleged charge.
As Florida Statutes § 893.13 and Fla. Stat. § 893.03 explain, it is illegal for you to be found with specific types and amounts of substances. For instance, in most cases, you cannot have any amount of clonitazene on you or in your control. If you are arrested for violating this law, you may face a possession charge with the intent to deliver, sell, or manufacture.
Fla. Stat. § 893.135(1)(c)(1) takes it a step further and prohibits trafficking or dealing certain amounts of substances. Whether you get charged with trafficking or possession with intent depends on the amount and type of a substance.
For example, having more than 25 pounds of cannabis or at least 300 plants in your control may result in a trafficking charge. In some cases, having this amount in your control may result in an arrest, regardless of whether you are caught trying to sell or deliver it.
What constitutes “possession” or “control” depends on the overall context of the arrest. Having the keys to a warehouse that is loaded with cocaine may count as constructive control in one scenario; however, in another situation, it may not. An Orange County attorney who handles drug trafficking cases could use available evidence and the law to shape a defensive strategy for clients accused of these crimes.
The consequences someone might face if they are charged with trafficking illegal substances can vary significantly from one situation to the next. In many circumstances, the type and quantity of a drug the person had in their possession and whether violence was a factor can influence the penalties.
Trafficking charges may involve a mandatory minimum sentence and a higher fine than usual. This means an individual may have to serve a certain amount of time in jail regardless of the mitigating circumstances present.
For example, if you are accused of trafficking four grams or more of fentanyl, getting a conviction could mean having a first-degree felony on your record. The penalty for four to 14 grams of this substance could include a minimum of seven years in prison and paying $50,000 in fines. In addition, you may lose access to certain rights, such as the ability to vote or to purchase or own a gun.
While a drug trafficking lawyer in Orange County cannot guarantee that a result will or will not happen in your case, having an advocate who could fight for you significantly increases your chances of a successful outcome.
A charge of having, selling, distributing, or transporting a large amount of a controlled substance like cocaine, weed, or heroin can prevent you from engaging in your liberties.
A criminal defense attorney could help you by asserting your freedoms, such as your right to a speedy trial, and crafting arguments that may reduce the negative impact of the charges.
Dozens of clients have trusted The Umansky Law Firm with their criminal defense cases, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them. Contact our team today to schedule a confidential, no-obligation consultation with an Orange County drug trafficking lawyer.
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