Being charged with any crime can be stressful – regardless of whether you were actually involved in the alleged offense. However, being charged with a drug-related crime in Florida can be particularly concerning, as Florida is known for having strict drug laws and severe penalties for even seemingly minor offenses.
If you or a loved one is facing drug charges in Florida, it is important that you speak with an experienced Florida drug charges attorney as soon as possible. This will give you a chance to select the criminal defense attorney who is the best fit for your needs and whose knowledge and approach to drug crime cases will give you the best possible defense.
Have you been hit with drug charges in Florida?
Everyone makes mistakes. A mistake that involves a drug crime, however, can have serious, lifelong consequences. Whether you committed the offenses with which you are being charged, or if you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, you have a lot on the line. If you are facing drug charges in Florida, you need an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney who knows how to defend you.
Drug charges often carry a stigma for the accused. These types of charges can cast a shadow on your name and reputation – regardless of your innocence or guilt or if you are even formally charged. There are times when merely being suspected of a drug crime can be enough to tarnish a personal or professional reputation. Even if you are not convicted, the impact on your life can be substantial.
In order to develop an effective defense, your Florida attorney may need to know details about your life that are highly personal, some of which you may feel embarrassed or ashamed to share. It is crucial that you have an attorney who understands everything that is at stake for you and who possesses the sensitivity and discretion to listen to your story without judging you for any of your actions or decisions. At Sando Law, P.A., we work hard to earn your trust and we never pass judgment on you. Our goal, always, is to defend you against the drug crimes with which you have been charged – securing the best possible outcome for you and minimizing the negative impact on your life.
Common drug charges in Florida
Most drug charges in Florida involve the possession of controlled substances, often with the intent to sell. Even if the amount of the controlled substance is not enough to prove intent to sell, and in fact is for personal use, possession of a controlled substance can still be charged as a felony. There is a range of common drug crimes in Florida which, depending on the amount and type of controlled substance involved and the details of the case, may result in either a felony or misdemeanor drug charges.
Common drug charges in Florida typically involve:
- The unlawful manufacture of controlled substances
- The unlawful possession of controlled substances
- The sale of controlled substances
- Trafficking of controlled substances
Controlled substances may include illegal narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or methamphetamines, to name a few. They also refer to the illegal manufacturing, possession, sale, or trafficking of prescription drugs for which you do not have a prescription or license.
Penalties for Drug Charges in Florida
In Florida, drug charges can carry serious penalties. The state classifies many drug charges as felonies, which can result in prison time and substantial fines if convicted. Conviction of a third-degree felony, for example, can lead to up to five years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and a two-year administrative suspension of your driver’s license.
Even a misdemeanor drug charge in Florida carries jail time. The penalties for misdemeanor drug charges in Florida include:
- Second-Degree Misdemeanor – Being convicted of a second-degree misdemeanor drug charge can land you in jail for up to 60 days and include a fine of up to $500.
- First-Degree Misdemeanor – Conviction for a first-degree misdemeanor drug charge in Florida can lead to up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000.
Felony drug charges in Florida carry even stiffer penalties:
- Third-Degree Felony – If you are convicted of third-degree felony drug charges in Florida, you may face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- Second-Degree Felony – A second-degree felony conviction carries up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- First-Degree Felony – Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be charged with a first-degree felony. If convicted you may face up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- Life Felony – A life felony is the most serious type of felony and carries a potential life sentence, meaning that if convicted you could spend the rest of your life behind bars. In addition to life in prison, you may also be fined up to $10,000.
Defending against drug charges in Florida
Florida criminal defense attorney Andrew Sando, Esq., is a former prosecutor who was twice named Prosecutor of the Year. He has handled hundreds of criminal cases and had more than 50 trials. Attorney Sando understands how prosecutors build a case – and how best to defend against it. He takes the time to listen to every detail of your case and then uses his in-depth knowledge of Florida’s drug laws to build a strategic defense. Depending on the drug charges you are facing and the specifics of your case, he may even be able to have the charges against you dismissed or secure a pre-trial resolution.
If your drug crimes case does go to trial, rest assured that Attorney Sando is a skilled litigator who uses his experience arguing cases as both a prosecuting attorney in Florida and a Florida criminal defense attorney to defend clients.
Contact Sando Law, P.A. today
If you or a loved one is facing drug charges in Florida, Sando Law, P.A. stands ready to help. From our office in Palm Beach, we defend clients against drug charges and other criminal offenses in Palm Beach and throughout South Florida, including Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Monroe County. Contact us today at 561-296-1665 or complete our online contact form. We offer a free case review.
