Orlando Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney

Drug Trafficking (Florida Statute 893.135) is one of the most serious drug related criminal charges under Florida law and can expose a person to mandatory prison, massive fines, and life altering felony consequences. Because the stakes are so high, speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is critical.

Drug Trafficking Under Florida Law

Florida Drug Trafficking laws apply when a person is accused of knowingly possessing, purchasing, manufacturing, delivering, or bringing into Florida certain controlled substances above statutory amounts. These threshold quantities vary by substance and can be surprisingly low depending on the drug involved. Some common drugs and their thresholds include:

• Marijuana: 25 Pounds
• Cocaine: 28 Grams
• Morphine: 4 Grams
• Hydrocodone: 28 Grams
• Oxycodone: 7 Grams
• Fentanyl (or any derivative): 4 Grams
• Amphetamine: 14 Grams
• Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD): 1 Gram

For reference, keep in mind that a standard metal paperclip weighs approximately 1 Gram.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Florida

Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Florida are severe, and include minimum prison sentences of 3, 7, 15, or even 25 years depending on the type and quantity of the alleged controlled substance. A conviction for Trafficking may also include a minimum mandatory $50,000 fine and a mandatory conviction, meaning that a person accused of Trafficking may be a convicted felon even if they have no other criminal history.

Defenses to Drug Trafficking

Because a Drug Trafficking charge carries mandatory prison sentence, a mandatory felony adjudication, and a $50,000 fine, every stage of the case must be aggressively challenged. Effective defenses include contesting the legality of the initial police encounter, as well as the lawfulness of the detention and searches that led to the discovery of the alleged drugs. Other critical elements of a defense may include contesting whether the accused actually knew about the substance, scrutinizing the chain of custody, and evaluating whether the laboratory testing and weight calculations were performed accurately and in compliance with proper procedures. In Trafficking cases, even a small weakness in the State’s case may dramatically impact the outcome of the case.

Central Florida Justice Can Help

Central Florida Justice founder Ben Baxter is a former prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney with over a decade of experience in criminal law. As a former prosecutor, he knows how the State investigates, charges, and prosecutes Drug Trafficking cases. Now he uses that insight to protect his clients’ freedom, defend their rights, and fight for the best possible outcome in their cases.

Ben also understands that the attorney-client relationship must be built on a foundation of trust and empathy. Every Central Florida Justice client has the ability to contact their attorney directly by phone, text, or email. And every client has access to the Central Florida Justice client portal, which provides instant access to evidence in their case, notes from the attorney, court dates, and more.

If you or someone you know has been charged with Drug Trafficking in Orlando or the Central Florida area, including Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, or Brevard Counties, contact Central Florida Justice today for a free consultation or call/text (407) 561-1776 to speak directly with attorney Ben Baxter.