Fort Myers Drug Crimes Lawyer
Although the social stigma against certain controlled substances has changed around the country, Florida law enforcement still maintains a “tough on crime” reputation when it comes to enforcing drug laws.
Despite Florida being among the states in America with the least amount of drug problems, Florida hands down some of the stiffest penalties for drug-related crimes. If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug offense, seeking immediate legal help can help you avoid facing the serious legal penalties of a drug crime conviction.
Facing drug crime charges can be daunting, especially if you have never been accused before. Even if it’s only your first offense, you may still face harsh penalties. Just because you’ve been arrested doesn’t mean it’s the end. You still stand a fighting chance.
You have constitutional rights and protections, and you should do everything in your power to protect those rights. Take swift action and hire a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Myers to represent your drug crime case.
Contacting an experienced drug crime attorney may be the only thing keeping you from a lengthy prison sentence.
What Types of Drug Crimes Can a Fort Myers Drug Crime Attorney Assist Me With?
Planning your criminal defense with a Fort Myers criminal defense attorney can help you dodge a drug conviction. Both state and federal drug offenses are often prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We’ve handled numerous drug-related cases over the years, and our Fort Myers law firm is prepared to help you fight your drug charges. Some of the common drug charges a drug crime lawyer can help you with include:
- Drug Possession (Also Known as Possession of a Controlled Substance)
- Drug Trafficking/Drug Dealing
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Manufacturing
- Drug Sale Within 1,000 Feet of a Specified Area (School, Park, Church, etc.)
If you have been charged with a drug crime, you may be facing an uncertain future. Whether you are contending with an arrest or charge for possession of a controlled substance or you are accused of possessing drug paraphernalia, seeking legal help as soon as possible will alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty you might be facing.
Get in touch with our criminal defense law firm immediately so we can begin planning your defense for your drug crime case.
How Can a Drug Crime Conviction Impact Me?
In general, drug convictions have long-lasting consequences. While drug crimes are split into misdemeanors and felonies, even the smallest drug conviction can still be a major stain on your permanent criminal record that can hold you back from pursuing many opportunities in the future.
If you are charged with a misdemeanor drug crime, you may face county jail time and steep fines. Other penalties can also include probation, community service, or completing an alternative diversion program. Many drug charges are classified as felonies.
Felony drug charges can bring heavy legal penalties such as thousands of dollars in fines and extensive time in state prison. In some cases, the length of incarceration in a felony drug conviction case can exceed 20 years, and some criminal charges carry mandatory minimum prison sentences if convicted.
The sentence you face is largely dependent upon the amount and type of controlled substance involved, as well as upon the location where the alleged drug crime is suspected to have taken place.
Even if you manage to avoid a lengthy jail sentence, the stigma of being convicted of drug crime charges can follow you for years. Currently, Florida has no “Ban the Box” law prohibiting employers from asking about criminal history.
In Fort Myers, city employers are prohibited from asking initially, but may perform a background check following an offer of employment. If a potential employer has reason to believe your conviction may interfere with your job duties, it can impact your job prospects.
In many instances, people convicted of drug crimes are stigmatized as either hopeless addicts or ruthless drug dealers.
This can make finding and maintaining steady employment challenging. It can also potentially impact your ability to find or maintain a place to live, and could have negative lasting consequences for personal relationships.
Will I Go to Jail Because of My Drug Charge?
Having a criminal defense attorney representing you will give you an edge when it comes to arguing for a reduction of your charges or working to get them dropped altogether.
Depending on your circumstances and the evidence available in your case, you might be able to avoid any serious legal penalties for your alleged crime. If you have been accused of or charged with a drug crime, hiring a drug crime attorney in Fort Myers may be the difference between going to jail and walking away with your freedom.
How Long Could I Be Sentenced to Jail if I’m Convicted of Drug Charges?
The amount of time you potentially face in jail or prison varies according to the type of drugs you were arrested with, the quantity, and what sort of charges are being filed against you. Drug charges can vary widely from case to case. An experienced drug crime attorney can review your case and determine what penalties you may be facing.
Degrees of Drug Crime Charges
First-degree misdemeanor drug crimes, such as possession of drug paraphernalia or small amounts of marijuana, are considered the least “serious” and carry the lightest sentences. A first-degree misdemeanor drug crime is punishable by a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Third-degree felony drug crimes usually involve possession of controlled substances over a certain amount. These crimes are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Second-degree felony drug crimes often involve drug dealing and involve charges for possession with intent or possession of chemicals and equipment to manufacture drugs. These felonies carry a potential sentence of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
First-degree felony drug charges are considered the most serious and often involve drug trafficking. Conviction for drug trafficking can result in a 30-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.
These are only a few potential charges and penalties you might face if arrested for drug crimes. To maintain their “tough on crime” reputation, the Florida criminal justice system is often overzealous in pursuing drug charges against individuals, and has no reservations about “throwing the book” at people.
Even if it was your first offense, depending on what you were arrested for, a prosecutor looking to build or maintain their reputation may decide to “make an example” out of you. That’s why if you were arrested for drug charges in Florida, you can’t take chances. Call our experienced criminal defense attorney today.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Arrested for Drug Crimes?
Drug charges can stem from you simply possessing narcotics or a controlled substance without a valid prescription, to you just being in the wrong place at the wrong time when a drug crime is taking place. You are innocent until you are proven guilty.
If you or a loved one were arrested for drug crimes, don’t hesitate to contact Sherman Defense Firm, P.A. today. Our approach to defending drug crimes is aggressive but compassionate.
Contact a Fort Myers Criminal Defense Attorney Today
We understand how frightening being charged with drug crimes can be, and we work to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Melissa Sherman brings 15 years of courtroom experience to every case, applying her tested Sherman Defense to each case.
If you need legal assistance dealing with a drug charge, contacting our Fort Myers criminal defense law firm might be one of the most important decisions you make regarding your case. If you or a loved one has been arrested for drug crimes, don’t let it potentially spell the end of your future. Call Sherman Defense Firm, P.A. right now at 239-539-6818 to schedule a consultation.