Despite Florida’s continued punitive stance on offenses like drug trafficking and increased effort on the part of law enforcement in recent years, drug crime remains prominent in this state, and in Alachua County. In 2012, 20.2% of new commitments to jails, prisons, and detention centers in the Gainesville area were for drug crimes, 12% specifically for drug trafficking.
As law enforcement continues to crack down on drug crimes like trafficking throughout Florida, it is important to protect your rights and fight the drug charges brought against you. An experienced Gainesville drug arrest attorney can do just that. When considering an experienced defense lawyer as a part of your strategy to fight your drug trafficking charges in Alachua County, it is best to call him as soon as possible after your arrest so that a proactive defense can begin immediately.
Gainesville Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer
Drug trafficking is one of the most serious drug crimes you can face in the state of Florida. If you have been arrested for drug trafficking anywhere in Alachua County, Marion County, or Columbia County, including Gainesville, Ocala, and Lake City, contact the experienced drug crime defense lawyers of Galigani Law Firm.
Galigani Law Firm is founded on the principles of advocacy, compassion, and communication and will serve you with respect while fighting for your rights and future. To schedule your free initial case consultation on what Galigani Law Firm can do for your Gainesville area drug trafficking case, call (352) 375-0812 today.
Definition of Drug Trafficking in Florida
Though the phrase drug trafficking brings to mind some sort of illegal trade or commercial dealings in prescription or illicit drugs, in Florida the actual sale or delivery of the controlled substance is not required. Rather, drug trafficking is based entirely on the amount of drugs present. Just a few grams can turn a simple possession offense into a drug trafficking offense, even if the drug was for personal use.
In Florida, the offense of drug trafficking is governed by Fla. Stat. § 893.135 and is defined as the sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, or bringing into this state controlled substance above a certain limit, or knowingly being in actual or constructive possession of drugs beyond a limit specified by statute. Florida drug trafficking law categorizes trafficking offenses by drug, and these include:
- Trafficking in cannabis
- Trafficking in cocaine
- Trafficking in illegal drugs
- Trafficking in phencyclidine
- Trafficking in methaqualone
- Trafficking in amphetamine
- Trafficking in flunitrazepam
- Trafficking in gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)
- Trafficking in gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)
- Trafficking in 1,4-Butanediol
- Trafficking in phenethylamines
- Trafficking in lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
The specific amount that constitutes the threshold between a simple possession offense and a drug trafficking offense is different for each individual drug, as are the penalties. Every drug trafficking offense covered by this statute is a serious offense with severe penalties. An experienced drug crime defense lawyer serving Alachua County is highly recommended to help protect your rights and future from conviction.
Florida Drug Trafficking Penalties
Drug trafficking, no matter the substance involved, is always a first-degree felony offense. Usually, first-degree felonies are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/ or a $10,000 fine. However, just as the trafficking offenses in Florida are split up by individual drugs, the penalties for Florida drug trafficking depend on the amount of the drug present. These offenses require mandatory minimum fines and prison sentences by statute. The penalties for trafficking in drugs most common to Alachua County are as follows:
Trafficking in MDMA (Ecstasy, X)
- 10-200 grams – 3 year prison minimum, $50,000 fine
- 200-400 grams – 7 year prison minimum, $100,000 fine
- 400 grams or more – 15 year prison minimum, $250,000 fine
Trafficking in Cocaine
- 28-200 grams – 3 year prison minimum, $50,000 fine
- 200-400 grams – 7 year prison minimum, $100,000 fine
- 400 grams or more – 15 year prison minimum, $250,000 fine
Trafficking in Opiates (heroin, oxycodone, methadone)
- 4-14 grams – 3 year prison minimum, $50,000 fine
- 14-28 grams – 15 year prison minimum, $100,000 fine
- 28 grams to 30 kilograms – 25 year prison minimum, $500,000 fine
Trafficking in amphetamines (meth, Ritalin, Adderall)
- 14-28 grams – 3 year prison minimum, $50,000 fine
- 28-200 grams – 7 year prison minimum, $100,000 fine
- 200 grams or more – 15 year prison minimum, $250,000 fine
Large quantities of certain drugs, as specified by statute, that are the direct or indirect cause of death of another when the alleged offender knew or should have known that death would be a likely result can make a drug trafficking offense a capital felony. Capital felony drug trafficking is punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty. For any drug trafficking offense in the Gainesville area, it is highly recommended that you contract with an experienced Alachua County drug defense lawyer to defend your rights and your freedom against such penalties.
Galigani Law Firm | Defense Attorney for Alachua County Drug Trafficking
If you have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, or elsewhere in Alachua, Marion, and Columbia Counties, contact the experienced defense lawyers of Galigani Law Firm. Dean Galigani is an expereinced defense lawyer who will build a customized defense to effectively fight your drug trafficking charges. Your first consultation with Galigani Law Firm is free, so call (352) 375-0812 today and schedule yours.
