Out of all the drug crimes, trafficking is perhaps the most serious. Regardless of whether your intent was to traffic drugs or not, if you have a large amount of them, you may still be charged with trafficking. When you’re facing criminal prosecution for the distribution or transportation of any type of drug, you need serious representation. At McShane & McShane Law Firm, P.A. in Orange County, our legal team has extensive experience defending clients accused of many types of drug crimes. In addition, criminal defense attorney Neal T. McShane, a former prosecutor, understands the case against you in a way that few lawyers can.
Unlike drug distribution, which refers only to the sale of unlawful substances, drug trafficking or smuggling is the intentional sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, possession or transportation of a trafficable amount of an illegal drug into the state. The severe penalties for trafficking any substance include lengthy prison time, probation and fines. The following list shows the threshold — the amount needed to trigger a trafficking charge — in Florida for several illegal substances:
In general, the severity of the penalties you receive for a drug crime depends on the substance and the amount you are convicted of possessing, selling, manufacturing or trafficking. Immediately after being arrested for any drug crime, it’s essential to consult with a skilled defense attorney.
Selling illegal drugs is also a serious offense that carries stiff penalties. For example, if the police arrest you for selling 25 pounds or less of marijuana, you’re facing five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. In Florida, the sale of cocaine is a second-degree felony. However, this can increase to a first-degree felony if the sale has taken place within 1,000 feet of a church or “convenience business.”
Have you been charged with a drug crime? Our attorney at McShane & McShane Law Firm, P.A. provides immediate and seasoned counsel to individuals in central Florida, including Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Call 407-648-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to speak with our experienced defense lawyer. Se habla español.