Selling Drugs in Fort Lauderdale? You Need a Good Lawyer, Pronto

The Charges

In Florida, selling drugs is always a felony. The specific charges and penalties depend on the type and amount of the drug. Common charges for selling controlled substances in Fort Lauderdale include:

• Sale of Cocaine – Trafficking, 1st degree felony
• Sale of Heroin – Trafficking, 1st degree felony
• Sale of Meth – Trafficking, 1st degree felony
• Sale of Prescription Drugs – Trafficking, 1st or 2nd degree felony
• Sale of Marijuana – Felony, up to 5 years prison

The penalties get harsher the more drugs you’re accused of selling. Even small amounts can lead to mandatory minimum sentences. Like, over 28 grams of cocaine means a 3 year mandatory minimum sentence. Not good!

Defenses a Lawyer Can Use

The best way to avoid a conviction and long prison sentence is to have an experienced drug crimes lawyer build a strong defense. Here are some of the main ways a good lawyer can defend you against drug sale charges:

• Illegal Search – If the police didn’t have probable cause or a warrant, evidence from searches could get thrown out. This is huge in drug cases.
• Entrapment – Undercover cops can’t coerce you into committing a crime you wouldn’t do otherwise. A lawyer can argue you were entrapped.
• Misidentification – Eyewitnesses make mistakes! Your lawyer can show the witness who ID’ed you is unreliable.
• Chain of Custody – Drugs and other evidence must be properly handled and stored. Any gaps in the chain of custody can create doubt.
• Actual Innocence – You legit didn’t do it! An alibi, witnesses, or other proof can show you’re innocent.

A good lawyer digs deep into the details of your case to find anything that casts doubt on the prosecution’s version of events. This gives you leverage to get charges reduced or even dismissed.

Don’t Go It Alone – Hire a Lawyer ASAP!

Trying to navigate Florida’s complex drug laws alone against an experienced prosecutor is crazy risky. A drug conviction means huge fines, years in prison, and a permanent criminal record. Your future is on the line.

The smartest thing you can do is hire a seasoned drug crimes defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale right away. An experienced lawyer knows all the strategies to attack the prosecution’s case. They can negotiate with the DA for reduced charges or diversion programs. And if necessary, they can take your case to trial with confidence.

When searching for a lawyer, look for these important qualifications:

• Decades of experience specifically defending drug charges
• Strong record of favorable case results, including dismissals and acquittals
• Knowledge of Florida drug laws and Fort Lauderdale courts
• Good relationships with local prosecutors and judges
• Affordable legal fees and payment plans

Don’t settle for less than the best legal representation you can get. This is not the time to cheap out on a lawyer!