An individual will need the support of a defense attorney from a well-established law firm to maintain a normal future after being found with over 10 grams of illegal substances. The State of Florida takes drug trafficking very seriously and looks to uphold the state’s strict no-tolerance rules on drug crimes. The purchase of 10 grams of drugs is illegal and can almost certainly result in serving years in prison or facing trafficking charges.
After committing a serious offense, you could lose your rights to buying a house, traveling to certain places in the world, or even taking out a loan. Therefore, you must contact a professional and reliable attorney to ensure that your case is taken seriously. You must have the best representation possible when facing drug charges. This will allow you to receive the best outcome possible for you. With our support, starting with a free consultation, we can put your mind at ease. Your case is in the safest hands possible.
We know how frightening entering a case can be. The anxiety and unrest you may be feeling at this time are understandable, but our team at The Law Place will ensure your outcome of the case will be the best possible for you. At The Law Place, we treat our clients with the highest standard of care, and with our team of North Port drug attorneys working together, there isn’t a case that is too tough for us.
With over seventy-five years worth of combined experience, our North Port criminal defense lawyers are trained to fight even the most complicated cases, such as drug possession, drug trafficking, or intent to sell.
You can give us a free call today at (941) 444-4444. Our team is here for you 24 hours a day.
Which State in America Has the Harshest Illegal Drug Laws?
If you need to know more about the law on drugs, you can find this information in Florida Statute 893.13.
In recent years, the State of Florida has seen a large increase in deaths due to drug overdose. As a result of this, the state has some of the harshest views on all drug-related crimes. There are many different types of drug crimes, including trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, production of drugs, and more.
If you have committed any of the above, then there is a chance you could face serving a prison sentence if you don’t have the support of the right defense attorney. With The Law Place by your side, you will have an attorney-client relationship that you can trust.
The Five Drug Schedules
The State of Florida measures the severity of drug crime by using five categories known as drug schedules. Schedule One is the most dangerous drug category, and Schedule Five is the lower-risk drug category, which carries lower penalties. Depending on the offense, you could face drug charges ranging from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony.
- Schedule 1 – LSD, marijuana, ecstacy, heroin, crack cocaine. These drugs are categorized as some of the most dangerous and addictive drugs. Being found in possession or supply can result in some of the harshest punishments.
- Schedule 2 – Methadone, Ritalin, morphine, meperidine, fentanyl. These drugs are a mixture of both illegal and prescripted drugs. Abuse of these drugs can be life-threatening and are still classed as some of the most dangerous drugs.
- Schedule 3 – Ketamine, codeine, anabolic steroids. Doctors prescribe many of these drugs, and although they are seen as less harmful, when abused, they can still cause harm.
- Schedule 4- Diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam (Xanax). Also prescribed by doctors, these drugs are widely taken in Florida.
- Schedule 5 – Codeine (cough medicines), etc. These are considered the least dangerous types of drugs.
Penalties for Possession of Illegal Drugs
- First-degree felony – Fines of up to $10,000 or a prison sentence of up to 30 years for possession of up to 10 grams of a Schedule One drug.
- Third-degree felony – Fines of up to $5,000 or a sentence of up to 5 years for the possession of 10 grams or more of any controlled substances.
- First-degree misdemeanor – Fines of up to $1,000 and a 1-year sentence for the possession of 20 grams of marijuana.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking can include a variety of offenses, including possession with intent to sell, production of drugs, buying with the intent to sell, and transporting in large quantities.
If you are caught committing any of the drug trafficking offenses mentioned above, the charge may depend on the weight limit of the controlled substance as outlined in the statute. However, if found guilty of a drug trafficking charge, it can usually lead to a more serious prison sentence and large fines.
Examples of drug trafficking charges may include:
- Cannabis – If found in possession of 25 pounds or cultivation of more than 300 plants.
- Cocaine – If found in possession of up to 28 grams of cocaine.
- Opioid – Substances such as heroin or illegally produced morphine above 4 grams.
- MDMA – Also known as ecstasy, being found in possession of 10 grams or more.
Drug trafficking is classed as a first-degree felony and can lead to a minimum prison sentence of 3 years and up to life in prison. It can also lead to large fines of up to $50,000
Potential Defenses Against Drug Charges
The first thing you must look for when facing any type of drug charge is a professional, experienced defense lawyer from The Law Place. This is vital if you want to reduce your prison sentence or even get your charges completely dropped. Below is a brief breakdown of some strategies often used by us here at The Law Place:
- A controlled substance may have been incorrectly weighed by law enforcement.
- There could have been a lack of a search warrant, or the method of acquiring the warrant might have been unlawful.
- The substance in question may have been misidentified.
- Evidence attempted to be used against the defendant could be inadmissible in the court of law due to how it was obtained.
Choosing Your Defense Attorney
It is important to pick the most suitable attorney for you. Therefore, utilizing our team of lawyers can benefit your case. It can be hard to put your trust in an attorney, but at The Law Place, you can rest assured that all of our lawyers are adequately trained to give the best legal advice, and we are ready to take on your defense.
When choosing your attorney, you might have an idea of the sort of attorney you want. It is understandable to wish for an attorney who can sympathize with your case. Furthermore, it is important to build an attorney-client relationship, as your future ultimately lies in their hands. Our attorneys prioritize building excellent relationships with their defendants.
When you are searching for a representative in court, you may wish for a trustworthy representative to not only defend your case but also to care about the outcome. It is also understandable to wish for a record of the attorney’s past cases, as some law firms have been known to hide some of their past cases. Here at The Law Place, we are proud of our case history, and our previous case reviews are readily available.
Purchase of Illegal Drugs Over 10 Grams – North Port FAQ
What constitutes “purchase” under Florida law?
Handing over money or consideration for drugs, even if delivery is delayed, completes the offense. Actual possession is not required.
What penalties apply?
Purchasing over ten grams of a controlled substance is a second-degree felony punishable by up to fifteen years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Is entrapment a valid defense?
Yes. If government agents induced you to commit a crime you were not predisposed to, charges can be dismissed.
How do sting operations typically work?
Undercover officers or confidential informants arrange a controlled buy. All interactions are usually recorded and logged as evidence.
Can incomplete lab reports dismiss the case?
Failure to confirm substance identity or weight can lead to dismissal or reduction if the State cannot meet its burden.
What is drug-court diversion?
Drug court offers treatment and monitoring for eligible non-violent offenders. Successful completion can result in dismissal.
Will a conviction trigger immigration consequences?
Yes. Drug offenses are deportable. Early legal advice is essential for non-citizens.
Purchase of Illegal Drugs over 10 Grams Lawyer in North Port
Meet the Team
David Haenel focuses on undercover-buy procedures and entrapment defenses. Darren Finebloom challenges audio-recording authenticity, and AnneMarie Rizzo scrutinizes confidential-informant backgrounds. Paralegals Rose and Christie obtain treatment-program options to present in mitigation.
Reviews & Testimonials
“Undercover sting had me scared stiff. David found entrapment issues and charges were dropped.”
“The whole team fought for rehab instead of prison, and the judge agreed.”
Case Studies
Entrapment Victory – An informant pressured our client to purchase eleven grams of MDMA. We proved government inducement, and the court dismissed all counts.
Chain-of-Custody Error – Lab evidence weighed 10.2 grams but a broken seal compromised integrity. The State reduced to misdemeanor paraphernalia and time served.
Contact The Law Place Today
Here at The Law Place, we urge you to contact us if you are facing charges for drug crimes. We want to help you. You can schedule a free consultation with attorneys who are highly trained in criminal defense.
You can reach out and put your mind at ease by calling us today. Our attorneys will manage your case with the highest level of sensitivity. Understanding the law can be very confusing. This is why our attorneys are here to guide you through your case by explaining the process you will go through and happily answering any questions that you may have.
Our lawyers are respectful, judgment-free, and have over seventy-five years of combined experience. We are used to tackling all kinds of criminal defense cases. We know how difficult it can be to choose the right law firm, as there are so many out there. But we pride ourselves on being available 24 hours a day to help you through your case.
So call now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is always someone at The Law Place who is ready to help you.
