The Orange County Public School District reports that there are well over 200 K-12 public schools in Orlando to serve the nearly quarter of a million students here, and there are many colleges, universities, and private educational offerings in the city as well. One thing that all of these institutions have in common is that state lawmakers have attempted to keep attendees safe from illegal drug activity by enhancing the penalties for certain activities that are conducted in proximity to a school, including selling or soliciting drugs.
If you have been charged with the sale or solicitation of drugs near Orlando schools, it is important to speak with an experienced drug defense lawyer who can help you understand your rights and may be able to provide services to help you defend yourself.
While selling, manufacturing, possessing, or soliciting illicit drugs is illegal everywhere in Florida, conducting these types of drug-related activities within 1,000 feet of any school results in enhanced penalties. Selling or soliciting drugs within 1,000 feet of a school is classified as a first-degree felony, which is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, along with other penalties, including fines, probation and drug rehabilitation programs, as well as the long-term issues that may result from having a criminal record. This may include difficulty securing housing, employment, or enrolling in college.
If someone is convicted of selling or soliciting drugs in proximity to a school, university, or daycare, there is no chance of parole or early release. This is one of the many reasons it is important to have an experienced lawyer working on the case.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer has a crucial role in a case involving drug solicitation or sale near a school, providing several services, including helping their client to determine a good defense strategy and the facts of the case. In some cases, the strategy may be to question the procedures of investigating officers or the evidence presented, while other cases may be resolved through a negotiated plea bargain with prosecutors. Still other cases may be resolved by presenting evidence and witness testimony at trial.
Some of the aspects of the investigatory process that a lawyer might research include the initial contact with the police, the location of the drugs when this contact took place, the arrest, and how the defendant was questioned.
In addition to building a defense strategy, a lawyer can also provide legal guidance and answer questions from a person accused of the sale or solicitation of drugs near Orlando schools.
Drug charges in Orlando can carry severe consequences, particularly if the defendant is accused of sale or solicitation near a school, university, or daycare. If you are dealing with these types of charges, contact The Umansky Law Firm to learn more about your rights, the charges against you, and potential defense strategies that may work in your case. The stakes are so high in this type of case that we offer a free consultation to ensure that people who need questions answered will have access to that assistance. Contact us for your free consultation today.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
