What To Do If You’re Facing Drug Trafficking Charges in Florida
Being accused of drug trafficking in Florida is equivalent to facing the most serious offense the state has to offer. Consequences of conviction can be terrible and life-altering. Florida is a little behind the times compared to other states that have begun to create a fairer system for penalizing those found guilty of nonviolent drug charges.
Even though you are understandably concerned about how the situation may turn out, it is important for you to take the right steps for obtaining a better outcome if you are accused of drug trafficking. You may be able to reduce your punishments or have the drug trafficking case completely dismissed with the assistance of an accomplished drug trafficking defense attorney in Tampa. Here’s all you need to know:
What Qualifies as a Drug Trafficking Crime in Tampa, Florida?
Most people assume that offenses involving drug trafficking entail substantial amounts of illicit substances being moved over international borders. Alternatively, they may believe that they must be caught while dealing drugs for charges to be filed against them.
Unfortunately, you do not qualify for drug trafficking only under these extreme situations. In reality, the majority of accusations related to drug trafficking are simply related to possessing a high quantity of illegal narcotics, no matter where you are in Florida.
According to Florida Statutes Section 893.135, drug trafficking happens when someone knowingly does any of the following with a significant quantity of prohibited substances:
- Sells,
- Purchases,
- Manufactures,
- Delivers,
- Brings into the state,
- Or knowingly possesses illegal substances either actually or constructively
What is the Penalty for Drug Trafficking Charges in Tampa, Florida?
The penalty for drug trafficking depends on several factors related to your offenses in the state of Florida.
In Florida, minimum jail terms for drug trafficking offenses start at three years and can go up to fifteen years, depending on the specifics of your case. Without accounting for attorney fees and court costs, fines range from $50,000 to a maximum of $250,000.
You might be given a longer prison term, for instance, if law enforcement finds you in possession of more of a particular substance when they apprehend you. You might also be charged with manslaughter or murder and receive a substantially lengthier term if someone dies because of your drug delivery.
What to Do when Facing Drug Trafficking Charges in Florida?
Contact a Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer in Tampa Immediately
Drug trafficking is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. To defend your rights and help you through the process, you need tenacious legal counsel. One poorly chosen sentence could be the downfall of your defense.
As soon as you can, speak with a Tampa drug trafficking defense lawyer. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the more time they will have to prepare your defense and look for opportunities to win your case.
The best time to hire an attorney is immediately after you post bail. Waiting until you’ve been charged will cost you valuable time and could make your case worse.
Know Your Rights
Knowing your rights will help you keep any potentially damaging information to yourself.
- You have the right to remain silent and not answer the questions law enforcement asks you. You can choose to remain silent until your attorney arrives to help you.
- You cannot be unlawfully searched by police. If there is no “probable cause” to believe you have committed a crime, officers cannot examine your property.
Gather All Supporting Evidence Immediately
Work diligently to compile all supporting documentation for your defense as soon as you can. This is because over time, evidence is lost or destroyed, leaving you without the necessary proof to establish your innocence in relation to any accusations made against you.
Evidence tends to change depending on who is telling the story and what charges are made against you. Alternatively, if you have a solid alibi, you can provide it to demonstrate that you were somewhere else at the time the crimes against you were committed and therefore couldn’t have been responsible. The right drug trafficking defense lawyer will immediately concentrate on gathering all pertinent information from the get-go.
Build an Effective Strategy
Once you and your attorney have acquired all the evidence you’ll require in court, it’s time to put together a compelling defense. Your defense attorney will prepare the evidence to be presented in court, call any witnesses to the stand, and advise you of your plea before you enter the courtroom.
To help you more effectively respond to the accusations made against you, your attorney can step in and take control of the situation. The attorney may decide to pursue several options to defend you in court.
Looking for a Tampa Drug Trafficking Attorney for Your Case?
The repercussions of being found guilty of drug possession in Tampa are some of the severest in the state. This is why you need to entrust your case to only the best lawyer around. The federal criminal defense attorneys at The Rickman Law Firm have handled countless similar cases and have the knowledge and expertise to give you the best legal defense possible.
Hire the greatest federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is knowledgeable, tenacious, and capable both within and outside of the courtroom. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today to begin talking about your case!
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.