Drug Trafficking Lawyer
Fighting for Clients In Deland, Daytona Beach and Throughout Central Florida
Drug Trafficking can be found in Florida Statute 893.135. When you think of drug trafficking, you have to think about the words “minimum mandatory”. A minimum mandatory is a mandatory prison sentence that a judge is required to impose if a person is found guilty. Trafficking charges carry minimum mandatory sentences that are imposed based on the amount of drugs found in your possession. In Florida, Trafficking Charges are charged as a first-degree felony, punishable by up to thirty years in prison. The Judge can lawfully exceed any minimum mandatory sentence.
With offices in Deland and Daytona Beach, we’ve represented clients throughout Central Florida for over 18 years.
Trafficking in Cannabis
To prove the crime of Trafficking in Cannabis, the State is required to prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The Defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida, a certain substance;
- The substance was cannabis;
- The cannabis weighed more than 25 pounds, or constituted 300 or more cannabis plants.
Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking in Cannabis
- Cannabis in excess of 25 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $25,000.00 fine.
- Cannabis in excess of 300 plants but less than 2,000 plants – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $25,000.00 fine.
- Cannabis in excess of 2,000 pounds but less than 10,000 pounds – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
- Cannabis in excess of 2,000 plants but less than 10,000 plants – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
- Cannabis in excess of 10,000 pounds – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $200,000.00 fine.
Trafficking in Cocaine
To prove the crime of Trafficking in Cocaine, the State is required to prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The Defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida, a certain substance;
- The substance was cocaine;
- The cannabis weighed more than 28 grams.
Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking in Cocaine
- Cocaine in excess of 28 grams but less than 200 grams – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
- Cocaine in excess of 200 grams but less than 400 grams – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $100,000.00 fine.
- Cocaine in excess of 400 grams but less than 150 kilograms – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $250,000.00 fine.
- Cocaine in excess of 150 kilograms – Life in Prison.
Trafficking in Morphine, Opium, Hydromorphone, or Heroin
To prove the crime of Trafficking in Morphine, Opium, Hydromorphone, or Heroin, the State is required to prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The Defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida, a certain substance;
- The substance was morphine, opium, hydromorphone, heroin, or a mixture containing morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin; and
- The morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin weighed more than 4 grams.
Client-Focused. RESULT-DRIVEN.
Working Closely with You To Build a Strong Case
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Charges Reduced Domestic Battery
Attorney Thompson provided a letter outlining defenses in case. State reviewed letter and spoke to the witnesses and offered to reduce the charges to a non-violent disorderly conduct with no jail and no probation.
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Charges Reduced Sale and Possession of Heroin
Defendant entered a treatment facility while case was pending. Attorney Thompson provided progress reports of all of her progress during her stay to show improvement. State agreed to amend all charges to simple possession and the Defendant was sentenced into Drug Court.
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Charges Reduced, Guidelines Waived, No Probation Failure to Register as a Career Criminal
The Client was arrested out of State for a warrant for failure to register as a career criminal. This violated his probation out of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Attorney Thompson was able to track the Client’s addresses and discovered that his landlord at the time lied to his probation officer about his renting an apartment because the landlord was not zoned to allow tenants. The State agreed to a time-served sentence for the time he spent in custody being transported to Florida.
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Deferred Prosecution Agreement Loitering and Prowling
Client became disoriented due to a medical condition and entered a car that did not belong to him, but looked just like his car. Attorney Thompson provided mitigation to the State concerning the Defendant’s medical issues and ensured the client would be offered a Deferred Prosecution Agreement by the State wherein all charges would be dismissed upon completion.
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All Charges Dismissed Racing on the Highway
Client was arrested after leaving a car show in a fast vehicle. Officers suspected the client of racing another vehicle and police officers pulled him over, drug him out of his vehicle, and arrested him for both racing on the highway and resisting an officer without violence. Upon review of the body camera video, Attorney Matt Thompson raised an excessive use of force complaint against the arresting officer. All charges against the client were dismissed.
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Charges Reduced Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer
Attorney Thompson provided the State with an extensive mitigation packet outlining the Defendant’s military service record and disability based on PTSD. Defendant was offered a minor jail sanction (60) days followed by probation in lieu of a 5-year minimum prison sentence as was originally offered by the State.