Need a Coral Gables Cocaine Trafficking Lawyer? Here’s What You Should Know
Getting charged with cocaine trafficking in Coral Gables can be scary. The potential penalties are severe — we’re talking years in prison. But having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference. This article will break down what you need to know if you’ve been charged with cocaine trafficking in the Gables.
An Overview of Cocaine Trafficking Laws in Florida
Florida takes drug crimes very seriously, especially when it comes to trafficking. Under Florida statute 893.135, you can be charged with cocaine trafficking if you are caught with 28 grams or more. Trafficking charges lead to stiff mandatory minimum sentences, such as:
- 28-200 g – 3 year mandatory minimum
- 200-400 g – 7 year mandatory minimum
- 400 g – 15 year mandatory minimum
You can see how quickly the potential prison time ramps up. Just to give some perspective on amounts, 28 grams is about an ounce. So getting busted with even a modest amount of coke can lead to trafficking charges.
The penalties get even worse if there are aggravating factors like selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school. This can enhance the mandatory minimums. Other factors like having a gun during the commission of trafficking can also increase the penalties.
Why You Desperately Need an Experienced Lawyer
Given the severe potential penalties, the importance of having an seasoned Coral Gables cocaine trafficking lawyer cannot be overstated. An expert drug crimes attorney can identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, challenge questionable evidence and testimony, and develop creative legal defenses.
They will also negotiate aggressively with prosecutors to get charges reduced or dropped completely. The stakes are so high here that you need someone who knows all the ins and outs of Florida’s complex drug statutes and sentencing laws. An experienced lawyer’s intimate familiarity with local judges and prosecutors can also come in handy.
Common Defenses in Cocaine Trafficking Cases
There are various defenses a knowledgeable lawyer may use to attack cocaine trafficking charges, such as:
Illegal search and seizure: If the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights by searching you or your property without probable cause, any evidence found may be excluded. This could cause the case to be dismissed.
Entrapment: This defense comes into play if police coerced or induced you into committing a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have. Their misconduct could nullify the charges against you.
Lack of knowledge: Prosecutors have to prove you knowingly possessed the cocaine. So if it was hidden or you were unaware it was there, this defense may apply.
Not actual possession: If the cocaine was found in a car or house you share with others, your lawyer can argue it belonged to someone else.
Improper testing: Faulty lab testing procedures can be used to challenge the veracity of the chemical analysis saying the seized substance was actually cocaine.
Alternative Sentencing Options
Even if the charges can’t be fully dismissed, an experienced lawyer may negotiate alternative sentencing options so you avoid lengthy mandatory prison stints. Some options include:
- Pretrial diversion – Charges dismissed after completing rehab/community service terms
- Plea to reduced charges – Plead down to simple possession to avoid trafficking minimums
- Drug court – Sentence focused on treatment rather than incarceration
Securing one of these alternatives can change your life versus the years in prison you may be facing otherwise.
Work with a Passionate Coral Gables Drug Crimes Lawyer
I hope this overview has illustrated exactly why you need an exceptional lawyer on your side if facing cocaine trafficking charges in the Gables. The penalties and consequences here are extremely serious. With so much on the line, you need someone who will fight relentlessly to protect your rights, freedom and future.
My firm has successfully defended countless drug cases just like yours over our many years representing clients in Coral Gables. Click here to learn more about working with one of our compassionate and strategic drug trafficking lawyers. Or call us 24/7 at (305) 123-4567 for a free case review and consultation. We are always here to help and support you during this challenging time.