Fort Myers Drug Trafficking Attorney
Can Anyone Be Arrested for Drug Trafficking?
While most people may be aware that “drug dealers” exist everywhere, we think of “drug traffickers” as something more exotic. “Drug trafficking” often conjures up images straight out of a 1980s crime movie or horror stories from the six o’clock news. Many tend to think that drug traffickers are shadowy figures living in far-away places or operating in secret hideouts in parts of America no one has ever heard of. The truth is much more mundane. In 2023, nearly 1,000 people were sentenced on drug trafficking charges in Florida. This number is higher than the national average.
It is easier than many people think to find yourself facing drug trafficking charges. Just possession of certain amounts of specific kinds of drugs can get you arrested on trafficking charges, even if you didn’t intend to sell them. Many people charged had no intention or desire to become “drug traffickers.” Even possessing too many prescription medications can lead to your arrest.
If you or a loved one has been arrested on drug trafficking charges in Fort Myers, you must contact our compassionate and experienced drug trafficking lawyer. She may be all that stands between you and the stigma of being a drug trafficker and decades in prison.
What is Drug Trafficking?
Many people assume drug trafficking involves international intrigue, shadowy criminal organizations, or massive networks of dealers. The truth is, almost anyone can find themselves facing drug trafficking charges. Under Florida law, someone can be charged with drug trafficking if they possess:
- 28 Grams or More of Cocaine
- 25 Pounds or More of Cannabis
- 1 Gram or More of LSD
- 7 Grams or More of Oxycodone
- 28 Grams or More of Hydrocodone
- 4 Grams or More of a Fentanyl Derivative
- 30 kg or More of Heroin, Opium, or Morphine
These are only a few potential drugs and quantities whose possession would result in trafficking charges. While manufacturing, selling, or attempting to sell drugs can result in trafficking charges, even just having drugs in these amounts can lead to your arrest. This is because the law presumes these quantities of drugs are too much for a single person to use on their own.
What are the Penalties for Drug Trafficking?
Drug trafficking is considered a felony and carries severe penalties. Florida drug sentencing is incredibly complex. This is because of the state’s history with drug-related violence and current desire to appear “tough on crime.” Sentences vary dramatically depending on the type of drug someone has been convicted of trafficking and the amount. An experienced drug crime attorney can review the specific charges against you and help determine what potential penalties you may be facing.
For example, if someone were arrested with more than 28 grams of cocaine but less than 200 grams, they face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine. However, if the amount were over 200 grams but less than 400, the charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Possession of more than 400 grams but less than 150 kilos carries a sentence of 15 years in prison, while any amount over 150 kilos can result in a life sentence.
This is only one example of what sentencing for drug trafficking might look like. It is not uncommon for people who have been arrested for drug trafficking to face multiple, related charges. This is because many instances of drug trafficking are related to other crimes, including robbery, assault, and even homicide. If the state can demonstrate that someone was murdered as a result of drug trafficking, you may even face the death penalty.
Will I Go to Prison if I’m Arrested for Drug Trafficking?
Because of the seriousness of drug trafficking charges, the justice system is often especially aggressive in pursuing harsh sentences. In 2023, 97% of people arrested for drug trafficking went to prison. It takes an exceptionally skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney to go toe-to-toe with a prosecutor on drug trafficking charges. That’s why you must contact our experienced drug trafficking lawyer. She has the courtroom experience necessary to go up against the prosecution and help clear your name.
Many effective legal strategies in drug trafficking cases involve challenging law enforcement’s methods and the prosecution’s case. It’s not uncommon for law enforcement to become overzealous and overeager when pursuing trafficking charges. This can lead to procedural mistakes and oversights, which a skilled defense attorney can challenge.
Our attorney has experience in reviewing the minutiae of the prosecution’s case and finding seemingly minor procedural or evidentiary mistakes. In some instances, law enforcement may even be aware of these mistakes but are hoping the accused’s attorney won’t find them. One potential example is challenging any search warrants and the methods the authorities used to conduct their search. These mistakes may be enough to have key evidence suppressed or even get the case thrown out of court.
No two drug trafficking cases are alike, and the complexity of the charges involved means every case requires custom-tailored defense strategies. That’s why if you or a loved one has been arrested for drug trafficking in Fort Myers, you must contact our aggressive defense attorney.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Arrested for Drug Trafficking?
Prosecutors more aggressively pursue drug trafficking cases than almost any other type of crime. This assertiveness and the seriousness of the charges are why conviction rates are so high. A drug trafficking conviction almost guarantees you’ll spend years behind bars, if not the rest of your life. Even after you get out of prison, the stigma of being a convicted drug trafficker can make it difficult to obtain and maintain employment and can even impact where you’re able to find a place to live.
With Sherman Defense Firm, P.A., on your side, an arrest for drug trafficking doesn’t have to mean the beginning of the end. Melissa Sherman brings 15 years of courtroom experience with her to every case, utilizing her tried-and-true Sherman Defense. She can review all the documentation available related to your drug trafficking charges and identify holes in the prosecution’s case, procedural errors made by law enforcement, and other defense strategies. She knows prosecutors often feel invincible when it comes to drug trafficking cases, and is ready to take advantage of their overconfidence to provide you the best possible defense.
Drug trafficking charges are serious. They’re also more common than you realize. If you or a loved one has been arrested for drug trafficking, don’t hesitate—contact us today at 239-539-6818 to schedule a consultation.