Skilled Attorneys Assist Central Florida Clients Charged With Drug Crimes in Tavares, Inverness and Clermont

Protecting your due process rights during tough prosecutions

The government’s war on drugs has resulted in stiff penalties for nonviolent offenders. As of June 2013, more than 6,500 inmates in Florida prisons were serving time for drug trafficking convictions. That’s 6.5 percent of the state’s total prison population. In Florida, the minimum mandatory sentence for some trafficking convictions is 25 years.

With so much at stake, you need aggressive advocates on your side. Largey Law protects your rights and works hard for your freedom. Our attorneys in Tavares, Inverness and Clermont, FL tailor a strategy to the facts of your case and your individual circumstances. We may negotiate your trafficking charges down to simple possession, which carries far lighter penalties. We may also attack the prosecutors’ case and challenge the evidence against you. Additionally, if trial is a viable option, we will fight the powers of government to secure a not guilty verdict on your behalf.

Possession penalties vary according to drug and weight

The punishment for drug possession depends on the type and amount of drug and the defendant’s arrest history. For example, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Possession of less than 20 grams is a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in jail, but often results in no incarceration. Possession of more potent drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, is typically prosecuted more aggressively than cannabis.

Drug court option for nonviolent offenders

Florida drug courts divert eligible defendants to special proceedings designed to reduce recidivism and address addiction. Our lawyers advise you of this option if you meet the statutory eligibility requirements. On completion of the program, your case is nolle prosequi — not prosecuted — if you are a first-time offender. Otherwise, your criminal charges may be dismissed or adjudication may be withheld, so that you do not have a drug conviction on your record.

Drug trafficking and distribution carries heavy penalties

The penalties for trafficking — including sales and distribution — of illegal or prescription drugs are far harsher than for possession. The amount of drugs seized is the key determinant of whether you are charged with trafficking or possession in Florida.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) may become involved when federal drug laws are involved. A federal trafficking charge involving such drugs as cocaine, heroin, LSD, PCP or methamphetamine carries:

• Five to 40 years of incarceration for a first offense
• Ten years to life imprisonment for a second offense
• Twenty years to life for a first offense if serious bodily injury or death resulted
• A life sentence if serious bodily injury or death resulted during a second offense

Call our experienced defense lawyers if you have been arrested on drug charges in Tavares, Inverness and Clermont

To build a strong drug crimes defense, call Largey Law at 352.508.1485 or contact the firm online. We offer you a free consultation at our offices in Tavares, Inverness and Clermont, or in your home or at the jail. Our lawyers help clients in Lake, Sumter and Citrus counties and the surrounding communities. Se habla español.