When you have been arrested and charged with a drug crime in Town ‘n’ Country, FL, your future is at stake. A drug conviction means more than a few years in prison and fines. It can take away your opportunities and leave hurdles in your path. A drug conviction in Florida comes with a great deal of stigma and limits your educational and professional opportunities.
Fight against drug charges with the help of Town ‘n’ Country drug charge lawyers at Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A. Call (813) 258-4800 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Town ‘n’ Country Drug Charge Lawyers to Defend You
Attorney Brett Metcalf is a passionate and successful Hillsborough drug defense attorney. He began his career as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office. Attorney Metcalf learned firsthand how the prosecution prepares for drug crime cases and wins convictions. Since establishing his criminal defense and personal injury firm in 2012, attorney Metcalf has used this knowledge to his clients’ advantage.
Types of Drug Cases We Handle in Town ‘n’ Country, FL
Our drug charge attorneys handle various Florida and federal drug offenses. Here are a few of the more common drug charges we see in Town ‘n’ Country criminal court.
Drug Possession Charges
In Florida, prosecutors file drug possession charges when they determine you have a small amount of a controlled substance in your possession for personal use. These drug charges can arise based on actual or constructive possession. The level of charge you face depends on the type and amount possessed.
Possession With the Intent to Distribute Charges
The drug offense a prosecutor will charge you with depends on the threshold amount of the drug. You will be charged with a felony for possession with intent to distribute if you have more than a personal amount. Prosecutors use this threshold to charge suspected drug dealers for possession, if not for actual trafficking. The threshold amounts differ depending on the controlled substance.
Possession of Marijuana Charges
Marijuana remains a controlled substance in Florida, and possessing cannabis without a prescription is a crime. Possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana is a first-degree misdemeanor. Possession of more than 20 grams is a third-degree felony.
Drug Cultivation and Manufacturing
It is a felony to cultivate marijuana (or another drug) or manufacture it, such as methamphetamine. The level of the offense and the minimum term of imprisonment you face depends on the type and amount of the drug involved.
Possession with Intent to Sell Charges
You could be facing serious consequences if you’re charged with possession of illicit substances that police believe you wanted to sell. Getting help from a Town ‘n’ Country drug defense lawyer from Metcalf Falls is crucial to deal with your possession of drugs with intent to sell charges.
Drug Trafficking Charges
A prosecutor in Florida can charge you with drug trafficking if you are allegedly involved in selling, manufacturing, delivering, buying, or possessing one or more controlled substances. A Town ‘n’ Country drug trafficking lawyer can help you understand the charges and build a strong defense strategy tailored to your case. Trafficking charges are based on the amount in your possession, and they’re considered felonies.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Drug paraphernalia is considered any equipment, product, or material that enables someone to use, grow, store, or manufacture drugs. Even without evidence of using drugs yourself, you could be facing serious consequences if you’re charged with anything involving drug paraphernalia. Our Town ‘n’ Country drug paraphernalia lawyers can help.
Prescription Drug Charges
There are crimes attached to prescription drugs that many people do not know about, and if you fall foul of the law, you could face extreme penalties. Metcalf Falls is ready to help you fight charges involving prescription drugs.
Drug Sales & Delivering
Like other Florida drug crimes, the charge you face for selling or delivering a controlled substance to another party depends on the type and amount of the drug involved. For this offense, prosecutors do not have to prove you provided drugs in exchange for money.
You can be convicted for exchanging the drugs for any object or service of value enough to establish a sale. You can also face equally harsh drug charges for the mere intent to sell.
Conspiracy to Commit a Drug Crime
You can be charged with conspiracy if you and one or more persons agree to commit a drug offense. The prosecutor will seek to prove an implied or explicit agreement and intent to commit the drug crime.
Conspiracy is unlawful under Florida and federal law. In Florida, the prosecutor does not need to prove you or either conspirator performed an act to further the crime.
Federal Drug Charges
Many criminal drug offenses fall under Florida or federal jurisdiction. Drug crimes are federal cases if they occurred on federal land, crossed state or national borders, was investigated by federal law enforcement agents, or were discovered through an informant.
Fentanyl Drug Charges
Under Florida Statute 893.135, fentanyl-related charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence based on the amount involved. Even an amount as little as 4 grams could get you 7 years in prison. Talk to one of our Town ‘n’ Country drug crime lawyers about your fentanyl charges.
Cocaine Charges
As a Schedule II controlled substance, the state and federal governments consider cocaine a highly addictive and easy-to-abuse drug with extremely limited medical uses. Getting charged with a crime involving cocaine can be devastating. Metcalf Falls can inform you of your options and build a defense against cocaine charges.
Heroin Charges
As a Schedule I controlled substance, heroin is not recognized as having a medical use, but it is known for its high potential of abuse. Law enforcement take any charges involving heroin seriously, including possession, sale, or intent to distribute the drug. A Metcalf Falls drug charge attorney can help you defend against heroin charges.
MDMA Charges
Florida law imposes strict penalties for MDMA possession due to its association with recreational drug use and its potential for harm. It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. If you are facing MDMA drug possession or trafficking charges in Town ‘n’ Country or Hillsborough County, you need an experienced defense attorney to protect your rights and future.
Methamphetamine Charges
Methamphetamine is a powerful synthetic stimulant. Even with its limited medical applications, it is highly regulated as a Schedule II drug. Charges involving methamphetamine, like possession, manufacture, or distribution, carry heavy penalties. Discuss your options with a methamphetamine charges defense lawyer from Metcalf Falls now.
What Defenses Can Be Used to Fight a Drug Charge?
Defending against a drug charge can be difficult. It requires working with seasoned defense attorneys in Town ‘n’ Country. You need to partner with someone who can investigate the allegations, look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and develop a strong defense strategy to obtain a dismissal or acquittal. There are many possible defenses to drug crimes. Our experienced Town ‘n’ Country drug crime lawyers will scrutinize the facts of your case to determine the most effective strategy.
- Lack of possession
- Insufficient evidence
- Mistaken identity
- Unconstitutional search or seizure
- Entrapment
- Unreliable test results
Florida Drug Crime FAQs
Drug charges in Town ‘n’ Country, Florida can be complex. You likely have many unanswered questions surrounding the charges against you and what your defense strategy might be.
We’ve provided the answers to some of the top drug crime related questions our clients have had regarding their cases. If you have additional questions, contact our drug crime law firm to discuss the specific details of your case.
Will I Be Arrested for a Small Amount of Drugs in Florida?
Under Florida law, you can be arrested for having small amounts of any controlled substances in your possession. It doesn’t matter whether you have no prior criminal record or are a habitual offender. Possession of any amount of a controlled substance is against the law.
However, that doesn’t mean you will face the maximum penalties. With the proper legal defense, you could get your charges reduced or even dismissed depending on the details of your case.
Will I Go to Jail for a Drug Conviction in Florida?
Incarceration is a possibility when you are facing criminal drug charges. If you are a first-time offender, you may be able to avoid jail time. Habitual offenders may not be so lucky.
Your Town ‘n’ Country drug crime lawyer, FL may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to work out a plea agreement that provides you with the opportunity to escape jail time. In exchange, you may need to agree to complete community service, a drug or alcohol treatment program, or even spend time on probation.
What are Drug Schedules?
Under the Controlled Substances Act, drugs are labeled on a schedule of I through V based on their medical application and risk for addiction. Schedule I drugs have no medical application and are considered highly addictive. Schedule V drugs are at the lowest risk of abuse and require no prescriptions. Sentencing is typically based on the schedule of the drugs found on your person, along with the amount of drugs you were accused of carrying.
What if I Have a Drug Addiction and Am Arrested?
Drug addiction affects thousands of Floridians. Thankfully, the state now recognizes that people suffering from drug addiction may not always benefit or be rehabilitated by being sent to jail or prison for drug crimes. Instead, your drug lawyer may be able to convince the prosecutor of a drug treatment or rehabilitation program.
What are the Collateral Consequences of a Drug Conviction in Florida?
If you are charged with a drug offense in Florida, you face more than incarceration and fines. A conviction for a misdemeanor or felony can result in several collateral consequences. These make it vital to work with a local drug lawyer to help mitigate any potential consequences, like:
- Challenges to employment or education
- Housing issues
- Immigration issues
- Reduction in child custody or visitation
- Difficulty in traveling abroad
- Loss of firearms rights
What Happens if the Drugs Weren’t Mine?
For the state to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, they will need to show that you had the intent to possess the drug in question. There are many situations in which you could face possession charges of drugs that are not yours. Whatever problem you found yourself in, if the drugs aren’t yours, you don’t deserve to be found guilty. Your Town ‘n’ Country drug lawyer will seek an acquittal by showing you did not have actual or constructive possession of the drugs in question.
What if the Drugs Were Found During an Illegal Search and Seizure?
Illegal search and seizure could be a blessing in disguise for your case. Although you’ve been arrested and charged with a drug crime, your rights are violated if the police did an illegal search. Any evidence they seize and attempt to use against you at trial should be deemed inadmissible. Illegal searches could lead to a dismissal of charges.
Call a Town ‘n’ Country Drug Crime Lawyer Today
An experienced drug crime lawyer in Town ‘n’ Country may help you obtain a dismissal, acquittal, or minimum penalties. The law office of Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A., handles all types of drug crimes.
Get help with your Town ‘n’ Country drug charges. Use our online form or call (813) 258-4800 to schedule your free consultation.
