Narcotics Trafficking Charges
In Florida, trafficking in controlled substances is one of the most serious charges that you can face. That is because Florida's legislature has passed laws that impose mandatory minimum sentences on all trafficking-related charges.
There are mandatory minimum sentences in place for trafficking in all of the following substances:
As a
criminal defense attorney who represents Miami-Dade and Broward clients who are charged with trafficking, I believe in doing everything in my power to get my clients out from under those mandatory minimum sentences.
I find that one of the best ways to do that is to request that the evidence (the suspect narcotics) be re-weighed.
It is a good tool available to criminal defense lawyers. You have a right to inspect the evidence. So what I like to do is hire a private lab to not only re-weigh the drugs, but to chemically test the drugs to make sure the substance is what the cops and the prosecutors say it is.
Re-weighing drugs is crucial in trafficking cases. That's because trafficking is based entirely on weight.
For instance, 28 grams or more of cocaine will warrant a charge of trafficking in cocaine.
While both are felony charges, neither carries a mandatory minimum sentence.
If the drugs are re-weighed and it turns out that the cops made a mistake, the charges may be reduced.
And believe me, it is far better to be facing possession or possession with intent charges than it is to be facing trafficking.
Re-weighing the evidence is only a small part of the investigation a good criminal defense attorney will do on a trafficking case. But it is important as it may considerably reduce the penalties.
If you or a loved one are facing trafficking charges,
call me today.