Florida Drug Crime Penalties

Miami Drug Attorney

If you or someone you know is currently facing drug charges in Miami or the surrounding areas in Florida, you need a competent attorney on your side to help you avoid the serious penalties that may come with a conviction for whatever offense you may have been accused of committing.

Potential Drug Penalties

Depending on the case, a defendant facing drug charges may face imprisonment in county jail for up to 12 months (if charged with a misdemeanor) or anywhere from 1 year to life in prison (if charged with a felony.) The specific penalties for a Florida drug crime conviction will vary drastically depending on a number of different factors:

• The nature of the offense - for example, drug possession is considered a lesser offense than drug distribution or drug trafficking, wherein the offender is affecting others and contributing to the distribution of drugs throughout the county or state.
• The defendant's prior criminal record - a defendant may be ineligible for alternative sentencing or may face increased penalties upon a second, third or subsequent drug crime conviction.
• Whether any weapons were involved - if the defendant was in possession of a firearm or other deadly weapon, he or she can expect to face enhanced penalties as well as the possibility of mandatory minimum penalties enforced by the court.
• The type of drug, and the amount - controlled substances are classified into schedules according to their potential for abuse, danger, and other factors. Schedule I substances are considered the most dangerous and will result in the implementation of the harshest penalties upon a conviction. Following are some examples of drugs in different schedules:
  • Schedule I drugs: heroin, LSD, marijuana
  • Schedule II drugs: PCP, cocaine, methamphetamines
  • Schedule III drugs: codeine, anabolic steroids
  • Schedule IV drugs: Xanax, Valium

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