Fort Lauderdale Trafficking of a Controlled Substance Lawyers

Trafficking a controlled substance is a serious felony charge in Florida that carries steep penalties. If you’ve been arrested for drug trafficking in Fort Lauderdale, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. The lawyers at Smith & Jones have spent years defending clients accused of trafficking charges in Broward County and throughout South Florida. We understand these complex cases and will aggressively defend your rights.

What is Drug Trafficking?

Trafficking involves selling, delivering, distributing, or possessing large amounts of certain illegal drugs under Florida statute 893.135. The drugs covered are cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others. Even marijuana can be charged as trafficking in large amounts.

The key is the weight or quantity of the drugs. If you’re busted with more than a certain amount, prosecutors can charge trafficking even if you weren’t actually dealing. The thresholds are surprisingly low too – just 28 grams of cocaine or 4 grams of oxycodone. Crazy right?

Penalties for Drug Trafficking

Make no mistake, these are serious felonies. Trafficking cocaine over 200 grams bumps the charge up to a first-degree felony with mandatory minimum prison sentences:

• 200 – 400 g – 3 years
• 400 g – 150 kg – 7 years
• 150 kg or more – 15 years

Other drug trafficking penalties include:

• Up to $100,000 in fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• Asset forfeiture

You do NOT want to mess around with trafficking charges in Florida. The potential consequences are no joke.

Common Defenses

The good news is there are defenses that an experienced lawyer can use to fight trafficking accusations. Here are some of the most common:

• You didn’t know the drugs were there – If the drugs were hidden or you had no knowledge of them, you can’t be convicted of trafficking. This is especially common with marijuana which can be concealed in bags or packages.
• The drugs weren’t yours – If the drugs belonged to someone else in the car or house, you may not be responsible for them. We can argue they were not in your custody or control.
• Illegal search – If the police violated your rights by searching you or your property illegally, any evidence found may be excluded. No drugs = no trafficking charge.
• Incorrect weight – The reported weight may be wrong if the scale was not calibrated properly or the drugs were “wet.” Just a few grams’ difference could reduce the charge.
• Entrapment – If you were induced or coerced into committing the crime by police, this is entrapment. A trafficking charge can be beaten on this basis.
• Misidentification – The alleged drugs may have been misidentified by the police. We can request retesting that may show legal substances instead.

Why Hire a Lawyer?

Trying to navigate Florida’s complex trafficking laws without an attorney is just too risky. These cases involve in-depth legal expertise and negotiations with prosecutors.

An experienced lawyer knows how to analyze the arrest report for issues, exploit technicalities, and develop an aggressive defense strategy. We also know how to negotiate with the State Attorney’s Office to reduce charges and secure better outcomes.

Most importantly, a lawyer brings objectivity. We aren’t emotionally invested like a defendant facing years in prison. With cool detachment, we determine the optimal legal moves that give you the best chance of beating or reducing the charges.

The Attorneys at Smith & Jones

The legal team at Smith & Jones brings decades of combined experience specifically defending drug trafficking accusations in Fort Lauderdale and across South Florida.

Founding attorney Mark Smith has tried dozens of trafficking cases during his career. He is a former prosecutor familiar with the tactics used by the State who now zealously defends the accused. Mark’s detailed knowledge of Florida’s drug laws allows him to spot important nuances that make or break these cases.

Attorney Sarah Jones has built an impressive track record obtaining charge reductions and dismissals for trafficking defendants in Broward County. Her tenacious negotiating skills have resulted in favorable outcomes even in major busts involving kilos of cocaine or heroin. Sarah leaves no stone unturned while scrutinizing the arrest reports and evidence.

Don’t Gamble with Your Future

Facing drug trafficking charges in Florida is scary. The potential penalties of years in prison and massive fines can ruin your life.

But an experienced criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference. The legal team at Smith & Jones has the skills and track record to challenge these allegations and achieve the best possible result. Don’t gamble with your future – contact us today for a free case evaluation.