West Palm Beach Drug Crime Lawyer

West Palm Beach, FL Drug Crimes Attorney

What are Florida’s Drug Crime Penalties?

State and federal laws call for aggressive prosecution of drug trafficking, drug possession, and other drug-related offenses. As such, criminal penalties related to drug charges have become increasingly severe, and there are many offenses that trigger minimum mandatory sentencing schemes.

A state conviction for narcotics possession and other related offenses will result in a suspension of your driver’s license for a period of 2 years. Further, the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 allows the seizure or forfeiture of your assets following drug offenses.

Additionally, a conviction on your record for narcotics could have other consequences, such as:

• Denial of rental housing
• Possible denial of your right to vote and the right to bear arms
• Trouble adopting or fostering a child
• Trouble obtaining a student loan

Be aware that in many instances, it only takes a minimal amount of narcotics to elevate a criminal score sheet to the point that you are facing prison time, even for a first offense. For example, the threshold amounts of prescription pills that trigger minimum mandatory sentences are particularly low in Florida, mainly due to Florida’s getting tough on the prescription pill epidemic. This strict approach has resulted in thousands of Floridians being incarcerated for substance abuse-related conduct without regard to the necessity of drug treatment and the wastefulness of state resources spent imprisoning nonviolent drug offenders.

Defense Strategies in Drug Crimes Cases

Drug crimes defense lawyer Nellie L. King thoroughly reviews the unique circumstances of each client’s case to determine the best, personalized strategy to combat Florida’s draconian drug-sentencing laws.

Among the issues Attorney King routinely challenges and investigates are:

• The Stop – Did the police have the right to stop you? Is there a Fourth Amendment basis to challenge the search and seizure of your vehicle or person? Was the initial contact with law enforcement constitutionally permissible or did the officer simply go on a fishing expedition without justification?
• The Arrest – Did the police have probable cause to arrest you?
• The Drugs – Where were the drugs found? Were there other people within close proximity to the drugs? Whose drugs were confiscated? Is there physical evidence such as fingerprints to prove who had possession or control over the drugs? Were the drugs located in an area where you had the ability to reach them?
• The Prescription – Were the drugs obtained under a valid prescription?
• The Behavior of Law Enforcement – Did the police utilize entrapment in order to ensnare you in unlawful conduct you had no intention of participating in but for the conduct by law enforcement? Did the police use a confidential informant to make the arrest? Was surveillance used as a tactic in your investigation?
• Confession – Did you make any statements to the police? Were these statements recorded? Did the police read you your rights?

Florida has a reputation for being one of the harshest states in terms of marijuana and other drug possession laws. In fact, Florida state sentencing laws can even be more stringent than those imposed by the federal government. This means that even if you are caught with only a small amount of narcotics, you should not simply shrug off the charge. A drug arrest and conviction will remain on your record and can result in prison time, even for minor offenses; even if you are carrying only 20 grams of marijuana or less, you could still be facing severe consequences that could follow you for a lifetime.

In any criminal case, especially one that relates to drug crimes, it is imperative that the accused hire an attorney as soon as possible. Even if you have already been interviewed by law enforcement, a good defense lawyer can make the difference between years of jail time or none at all. West Palm Beach drug crimes defense lawyer Nellie L. King possesses considerable experience representing defendants on all types of drug charges.

Call an Experienced West Palm Beach Drug Crime Lawyer Today

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for state or federal drug charges, you should seek legal counsel immediately. An experienced drug crimes attorney can help you build a strong defense to clear your name or reduce penalties, depending on the scope of your case.

West Palm Beach drug crimes defense lawyer Nellie L. King handles all types of drug-related offenses, including possession, drug trafficking, sale and distribution, manufacturing, cultivation, conspiracy, and importation. The firm also fights charges involving all types of controlled substances, such as prescription drugs, club drugs, marijuana, crack, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, meth/methamphetamines, hallucinogens, and Rohypnol. Those charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and manufacturing equipment may also contact Attorney King for legal assistance.