Have you or a loved one been charged for drug trafficking? You may have many questions as you seek to clear your name of a drug trafficking charge. You may even be seeking answers to questions to help your loved one in their plight. You’ve come to the right place.
If a charge has already been filed, it’s important that you seek the legal assistance of an experienced drug trafficking defense attorney in Tampa immediately to get the charge dropped or reduced.
Drug trafficking is the crime of manufacturing, transporting, selling, or distributing illegal drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, PCP, LSD, or other illegal drugs. A prosecutor must show that a defendant was involved in the sale, transport, or import of drugs and that the defendant intended to sell or deliver the drugs to win a conviction.
Unfortunately, drug trafficking is one of the severest forms of drug-related crimes. In Florida, drug trafficking cases carry serious minimum mandatory penalties. This means that if you are convicted of drug trafficking, a judge is required to sentence you to minimum mandatory penalties. You could be sentenced years to decades in prison; however, this all depends on the specifics of your case (i.e., the weight and type of drug). The mandatory sentence can potentially be waived by the Office of the State Attorney, but you need an attorney to conduct an independent investigation into your case. This is why a skilled drug trafficking defense lawyer in Tampa is critical to your case.
Did you have actual possession of the drug or constructive possession of the drug? Being found near the discovered drug doesn’t equate to possession of the drug in question. Were the drugs on your person for commercial or personal use? The crime of drug trafficking requires that the perpetrator knowingly possesses an illegal controlled substance for commercial purposes. For example, if the drugs on your person are in fact prescription drugs, providing proof of the prescription is imperative. Other defenses that can get your case dropped, dismissed, or charges reduced include attacking the prosecution’s insufficient evidence, analyzing how evidence was gathered against you, and confronting police informants.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.