Possession with Intent to Sell / Cocaine Trafficking Charge
Politicians drafted modern Florida drug laws partly in reaction to widespread cocaine trafficking headlines. As a result, possessing even a small amount of cocaine is a serious crime, and a cocaine trafficking conviction means mandatory prison time.
While the law gives prosecutors the advantage, a tough and aggressive criminal defense lawyer can make it work for you. If you’re up against cocaine trafficking charges in Florida, talk to an experienced courtroom fighter who knows how to deal with prosecutors. Call 407-644-2466 for a free consultation with the Orlando criminal defense team at the Rivas Law Firm.
Florida Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentences
Cocaine is a Schedule II drug. The law increases penalties according to the weight of the drug involved. The more cocaine, the longer the sentence. Get busted with less than 28 grams, and it’s a third-degree felony with a five-year prison sentence, plus fines, probation, and a suspended driver’s license. If prosecutors add “with intent to sell” to the charge, it’s a second-degree felony, with up to fifteen years in prison.
Possessing large amounts of the drug is considered “trafficking in cocaine.” Drug trafficking laws in Florida make it a first-degree felony. Mandatory minimum prison terms and fines apply. The more cocaine they bust you with, the harsher your sentence will be:
- 28 grams–200 grams: mandatory minimum three years in prison and $50,000 fine.
- 200–400 grams: mandatory minimum seven years in prison and $100,000 fine.
- 400 grams – 150 kilograms: mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and $250,00 fine.
- 150 kilograms or more: life in prison with no parole.
How Do I get a Drug Trafficking Charge Dismissed?
It starts with calling the best drug lawyer you can find. Drug crimes are the most common criminal charges in Florida courts. Prosecutors know what they are doing and they are definitely not looking out for your best interests. For them, it’s all about getting you to plead guilty – and most people do.
The defendants who fare the best in these situations are the ones with an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney. A defense lawyer who holds police and prosecutors accountable and challenges prosecutors at every turn.
A tough lawyer fighting for your rights will conduct his own investigation to make sure the police followed proper procedure. Were search warrants in order? Was the evidence properly collected, handled, and analyzed? Can informants be trusted?
Prosecutors have to be prepared to prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead of just pleading guilty and hoping for the best, call 407-644-2466 for a free consultation with a courtroom fighter at the Rivas Law Firm.