Florida takes drug charges very seriously. If you’ve been arrested for possession with intent to distribute, you need to take action immediately. You can do so by contacting a West Palm Beach drug possession with intent to distribute lawyer.
At the Law Offices of Nellie L. King, we believe that every Floridian deserves a fair chance in court. We practice criminal defense work exclusively, and our attorneys have handled countless complex drug possession cases. We represent clients in all stages of the criminal process, including those looking for help with post-conviction litigation. You can trust us to provide you with the robust defense you need to obtain a positive result in your case.
Depending on the amount of drugs you are found in possession of or the agency that makes the arrest, your charges could be either federal or state. In 2023, drug crimes made up 31.6% of all the federal crimes committed in Florida. In addition, 31.3% of offenders were convicted for drug trafficking, compared to 0.3% of offenders for possessing drugs.
Whether you’re facing trafficking charges or possession with intent to sell charges, you can hire a drug possession with intent to distribute lawyer to help you with your case. Your lawyer can help with the tasks listed below:
Working with a skilled attorney is the most effective way to reduce your chances of winding up in Loxahatchee Road Prison or a nearby facility. The state has many lawyers on its side to prosecute criminal defendants. An experienced legal team can help to level the playing field.
Possession with intent to distribute, known in Florida as possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver under Florida Statute 893.13, is a serious charge that involves being caught with illegal or controlled substances on your person or in your sphere of influence, along with evidence that you intended to sell or otherwise distribute these substances.
Florida possession with intent to distribute laws do not define what indicates possession with intent rather than simple possession, but there are a few ways that prosecutors can prove intent.
If the amount of drugs you had on your person or in your home was too large for personal use, the intent to distribute can be inferred. Other factors, such as the presence of packaging materials or paraphernalia, large amounts of money, or records of communications with customers, can also show that you had the intent to distribute the drugs you had. Your behavior and the circumstances surrounding the arrest can also prove intent.
The potential penalties for possession with intent to distribute depend on the schedule of the drug, the amount possessed, and your prior criminal history. Depending on these circumstances, you may be charged with anything from a first-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, with punishments ranging from a year in jail to 30 years’ imprisonment, and fines from $1,000 to $10,000.
Working with an experienced lawyer may help you avoid a lengthy prison sentence, even when your charges cannot be dropped or a full acquittal obtained. Your attorney may be able to argue for reduced charges or penalties at your sentencing hearing or negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf that reduces your prison sentence.
Furthermore, a local attorney can provide insight into the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Law Offices of Nellie L. King are familiar with the proceedings at both West Palm Beach courthouse locations, the Palm Beach County Main Courthouse, off North Dixie Highway, and the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex, off Gun Club Road.
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There is no minimum sentence for possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver in Florida. A judge can legally sentence a convicted defendant to probation with no jail time, but maximum penalties reach up to five to 10 years in prison. Weight thresholds can also trigger mandatory minimums of three to 15 years for trafficking, as can being arrested near a school or another protected area.
The average jail time for drug possession in Florida varies, as do the maximum penalties allowed by law. The time you serve could depend on factors such as what type of drug you were found in possession of, how much of it you had, and your criminal history. First-time offenders may avoid jail time entirely for misdemeanor charges, whereas people found guilty of first-degree felony possession can face many years in prison.
You may be able to beat a possession charge in Florida with the help of a skilled West Palm Beach drug possession with intent to distribute attorney. Your attorney can evaluate the specifics of the prosecution’s case against you to look for weaknesses. If they find evidence of constitutional violations, you may be able to get the charges dropped. Otherwise, they can make a strong argument in your defense in court.
The 85% rule in Florida is the state’s truth-in-sentencing law, codified in Florida Statute 944.275. This law stipulates that convicted prisoners must serve at least 85% of their sentences and that rewards for good behavior cannot reduce time served to less than this limit. Florida also lacks a traditional parole system for most offenders, further preventing early release.
If you’re looking for a West Palm Beach drug possession with intent to distribute lawyer to assist you with your case, look no further than the Law Offices of Nellie L. King. Our mission is to provide our clients with zealous representation when they are at their greatest time of need. Our lead attorney, Nellie L. King, is a nationally known criminal defense attorney with a reputation for fierce advocacy. Contact our office to find out how we can help you.
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