Practice Areas

Criminal Drug Defense

Drug Crime Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Since there is so much international drug trafficking in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area, drug crimes are aggressively prosecuted. The severity of the charge (whether it is a misdemeanor or felony) is dependant on the amount of drugs involved.

The following is a a list of charges for drug crimes:

  • Delivery of illegal drugs
  • Possession
  • Distribution or Trafficking
  • Cultivation or growing of a narcotic
  • Manufacture
  • Illegal use of a drug
  • Possession with intent cot sell
  • Fraudulent sale of prescription drugs

The following is a list of drugs that are related to these offenses:

  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Medical Marijuana
  • Heroin
  • Crack
  • Crystal Meth
  • Ecstasy
  • PCP
  • GHP
  • LSD
  • As well as other designer drugs

Florida law says it is illegal to possess or distribute controlled substances. The punishments for a drug crime in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area are as follows:

First degree misdemeanor: up to one year in prison and fines up to $1000

First degree felony: up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000

Drug trafficking: fines can be up to $500,000 and can include up to life in prison

If someone was involved in trafficking drugs into the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area and knew someone could die, the death penalty could be imposed.

There are other consequences of a drug conviction in Florida such as disqualification for employment with the state or for federal aid.

More on Drug Crimes

893.13 Prohibited acts; penalties.–

(1)(a) Except as authorized by this chapter and chapter 499, it is unlawful for any person to sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a controlled substance. Any person who violates this provision with respect to:

2. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

3. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(5) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful to sell or deliver in excess of 10 grams of any substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(a) or (1)(b), or any combination thereof, or any mixture containing any such substance. Any person who violates this paragraph commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

“community center” means a facility operated by a nonprofit community-based organization for the provision of recreational, social, or educational services to the public. Any person who violates this paragraph with respect to:

1. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)4., commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. The defendant must be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 3 calendar years unless the offense was committed within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a child care facility as defined in s. 402.302.

2. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

3. Any other controlled substance, except as lawfully sold, manufactured, or delivered, must be sentenced to pay a $500 fine and to serve 100 hours of public service in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law.

This paragraph does not apply to a child care facility unless the owner or operator of the facility posts a sign that is not less than 2 square feet in size with a word legend identifying the facility as a licensed child care facility and that is posted on the property of the child care facility in a conspicuous place where the sign is reasonably visible to the public.

(d) Except as authorized by this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a controlled substance in, on, or within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a public or private college, university, or other postsecondary educational institution. Any person who violates this paragraph with respect to:

1. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)4., commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

2. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

3. Any other controlled substance, except as lawfully sold, manufactured, or delivered, must be sentenced to pay a $500 fine and to serve 100 hours of public service in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law.

(e) Except as authorized by this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a controlled substance not authorized by law in, on, or within 1,000 feet of a physical place for worship at which a church or religious organization regularly conducts religious services or within 1,000 feet of a convenience business as defined in s. 812.171. Any person who violates this paragraph with respect to:

1. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d), (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c)4., commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

2. A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1)(c), (2)(c)1., (2)(c)2., (2)(c)3., (2)(c)5., (2)(c)6., (2)(c)7., (2)(c)8., (2)(c)9., (3), or (4) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

3. Any other controlled substance, except as lawfully sold, manufactured, or delivered, must be sentenced to pay a $500 fine and to serve 100 hours of public service in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law.

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Law Offices

Broward Office

ADDRESS
Law Offices of Gilbert & Smallman PLLC
3475 Sheridan St. #301
Hollywood, FL 33021

CELL
(954) 661-7371

OFFICE
(954) 251-3106

FAX
(954) 404-6003

Miami Office

ADDRESS
Law Offices of Gilbert & Smallman PLLC
The White Building
One Northeast Second Ave,
Suite 200
Miami, FL 33132

CELL
(786) 371-4431

OFFICE
(786) 863-8568

Tallahassee Office

ADDRESS
Law Offices of Gilbert & Smallman PLLC
909 East Park Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301

OFFICE
(850) 391-7045

FAX
(850) 391-6152

North Miami Office

ADDRESS
Law Offices of Gilbert & Smallman PLLC
12550 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 800
North Miami, FL 33181

CELL
(786) 371-4431

OFFICE
(786) 863-8568

FAX
(954) 404-6003