Top
Drug Trafficking

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:

  1. The defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida a certain substance;
  2. The substance was cannabis;
  3. 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 poundsThree Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $25,000.00 fine.
  • Cannabis in excess of 300 plants but less than 2,000 plantsThree 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 poundsSeven 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:

  1. The defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida a certain substance;
  2. The substance was cocaine;
  3. The cocaine 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:

  1. The defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida a certain substance; 
  2. The substance was morphine, opium, hydromorphone, heroin, or a mixture containing morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin; and
  3. The morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin weighed more than 4 grams.

Client-Focused. RESULT-DRIVEN.

Working Closely with You To Build a Strong Case
  • All Charges Dismissed Child Abuse Battery

    The Client was entangled in a contentious divorce where her ex-husband used the criminal legal system to try to gain leverage against the Client in the family law courts. Attorney Thompson was able to provide documentation, witness statements, and a certificate of completion of a parenting class to get all charges dismissed against the client.

  • All Charges Reduced Aggravated Assault with a Firearm

    Client was accused of shooting a shotgun over the head of two minors. Attorney Thompson did a public records request to discover that officers reported to the scene of the crime the night of the incident and spoke to the victims on the evening the alleged crime occurred and believed the victims to be intoxicated and unreliable. Attorney Thompson conducted depositions of the officers and ultimately all charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and no incarceration.

  • Charges Reduced to Simple Assault Aggravated Assault with a Firearm

    At the time these charges were filed, the State of Florida had a 3-year minimum mandatory for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. Neighbors of the Client claimed that he pointed a shot gun at them and fired over their heads when they came onto his property. Police came out the following day and arrested the Client. Attorney Thompson found a CAD report where the police had investigated the crime the night of the incident and determined that there was insufficient evidence of the arrest. Attorney Thompson

  • No Criminal Charges Filed Public Assistance Fraud

    Attorney Thompson and Client reviewed case and met with Department of Revenue investigators to explain the discrepancy. In doing so, the State determined that they would not seek criminal charges, but offered a repayment plan through non-judicial means.

  • All Charges Dismissed Domestic Battery

    Defendant was trapped inside car where her boyfriend was acting aggressive. Defendant had to take legal action against the victim to remove him from vehicle. Attorney Thompson sent letter to State early in the case to outline defenses and mitigation and all charges were dismissed prior to filing.

  • 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.