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Drug trafficking is the transport of illegal controlled substances from one location to another. Often this is for the purpose of distribution or sale. Drug trafficking does not mean you have to take drugs over Florida state lines. In fact, just transporting them from one city to another or between counties can qualify. In the state of Florida, drug trafficking crimes are punishable. If you are arrested for drug trafficking, you cannot risk putting your freedom in the hands of just any attorney.
In Florida, any controlled substance taken from one place to another can be considered trafficking, but some of the more common drugs include:
Florida has minimum mandatory sentences for drug traffickers. These are based on the amount found in your position. Some penalties you could face include:
If you are arrested for drug trafficking, there may be several defenses you can use. You should always consult a criminal defense attorney before assuming that you qualify for one of these defenses, and a skilled attorney will review your case to look for potential defenses.
Being charged with drug trafficking is a serious offense. It is critical to understand what these charges mean and what types of penalties you could be facing if you are convicted. As a West Palm Beach drug trafficking attorney can explain, drug trafficking is legally defined as the act of possessing the drugs with the intent to dispense or distribute the drugs. A person can be charged even if they have not actually sold any drugs or, in some cases, even if they did not have the intent to sell. When the amount of drugs a person has in their possession is considered too much for personal consumption (per the opinion of law enforcement), then drug trafficking charges can be filed.
There is also the issue of whether a person is charged under state drug trafficking laws or federal drug trafficking laws. Every state, including Florida, charges drug trafficking crime as a felony offense. As listed above, the penalties for drug trafficking in Florida can be harsh.
However, there are also many cases where the person is charged with drug trafficking, but it is charged under federal law. A drug trafficking attorney in West Palm Beach knows this can happen if:
Federal authorities also have the right to take over any case of drug trafficking that is being handled by state authorities if they can show an interest in the case.
As a West Palm Beach drug trafficking attorney can explain, under federal law, the charges, and penalties of drug trafficking depend on the schedule and amount of the drugs that the defendant is alleged to have had. Drugs include cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, and PCP.
A conviction for a first offense of federal drug trafficking can result in a prison sentence of at least five years, up to 40 years, and a fine of up to $5 million. A second offense conviction will result in a minimum of 10 years up to life in prison and a fine of up to $8 million.
For convictions involving larger amounts of the above-listed drugs, a first offense conviction will be a minimum of 10 years up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. A conviction of a second offense is a minimum of 20 years to life and a fine of up to $20 million. Subsequent convictions will result in life imprisonment.
If you have been arrested for drug trafficking, contact the attorneys at Farkas & Crowley today. We offer free case evaluations and are here to protect your rights.
Looking for a criminal law firm? Farkas & Crowley, P.A. are the attorneys for you. They are extremely knowledgeable of the law and go the extra mile for their clients. Their expertise and impeccable work ethic are hard to beat. Available 24/7. Highly recommended.
-Marla Newman
500 S. Australian Ave.
6th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) - 444 - 9529
Mon - Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from criminal defense attorneys at Law Office of Farkas & Crowley, P.A.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from criminal defense attorneys at Law Office of Farkas & Crowley, P.A.
