An allegation of manufacturing controlled substances is one of the most challenging drug cases in the State of Florida. This offense is a combination of different elements from all other drug charges, such as drug trafficking and possession with intent to sell, which means that the penalties can be very harsh.
However, the severity of the drug charges will vary depending on the schedule of drugs and the amount of the controlled substance that was found in your possession according to Florida law. It is possible that you could be facing a third-degree felony, a second-degree felony, or even a first-degree felony charge, which comes with hefty fines and an extensive prison sentence in Sarasota County.
If you are being accused of manufacturing illegal drugs with intent, then you will need to seek professional representation from a Sarasota drug lawyer in order to have the best chance of minimizing the charges and reducing the severity of the penalties for your drug crime. The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience in tackling cases, including car accidents, personal injury claims, white-collar crimes, and drug crimes all over the State of Florida. We are proud to say that we have managed to help clients who are facing illegal drug charges with great success in Sarasota.
Our law firm has a skilled team of Sarasota drug lawyers who are willing and ready to get to work on your case as soon as you give the go-ahead. A Sarasota criminal defense lawyer will be able to conduct an extensive investigation into the allegations against you, gather facts and evidence, negotiate with the prosecution, and develop a strong defense strategy to take into the courtroom.
The Law Place has the necessary knowledge and awareness to guide you through the legal system and answer all of your questions. Rest assured that we will work hard to reduce the charges and decrease the consequences for your drug crime in Sarasota.
Call today to set up a free case evaluation, where a Sarasota criminal defense lawyer will discuss the facts of your case and explain the process to you – and anything you share with us will be completely confidential under the attorney-client relationship privilege.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your manufacturing of illegal drugs with intent charges together in Sarasota.
The Legal Definition of Manufacturing Controlled Substances
Florida Statute 893.13 lays down the law on drug crimes, which includes possessing and manufacturing controlled substances. It states that a person may not sell, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance.
A charge of manufacturing drugs can be imposed on any individual who is caught producing drugs or even contributing to the process of manufacturing a controlled substance. Any individual who indirectly or directly takes part in the process of growing, preparing, cultivating, converting, compounding, or producing illegal drugs and controlled substances will face charges, as in The Florida Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.
This can also apply to possession of chemicals or sale of specialist equipment that are used to manufacture illegal drugs, or even package, relabel, or repackage illegal drugs.
What Are the Consequences of Manufacturing Illicit Drugs in Sarasota, FL?
The consequences of drug crimes will ultimately depend on the facts and circumstances surrounding your case. The court will take into consideration the schedule and the amount of a controlled substance that was found in your possession. Most likely, the court will face complications when determining whether you will be charged with drug trafficking or for possession with intent to sell.
However, here are some key examples of types of drugs that would result in second-degree felony drug charges. The penalties for which are a fine of up to $10,000 and spending up to 15 years in prison:
- Flunitrazepam – Also commonly referred to as the date-rape drug Rohypnol or, in other words, ‘roofies’ in up to 4 grams in weight.
- Phencyclidine – Also commonly referred to as PCP or angel dust in up to 28 grams in weight.
- Opiates – Including heroin, morphine, codeine, opium, oxycodone, hydrocodone in up to 4 grams in weight.
- Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid – Also commonly referred to as GHB) in up to a kilogram in weight.
- Methamphetamine – In up to 14 grams in weight.
However, if you were caught in possession of an excess amount of any of the controlled substances as listed above, then your drug charges will be escalated to a trafficking charge, which is considered a first-degree felony offense by the State of Florida. The penalties for which are severe fines and a prison sentence. In addition, there are other charges that will be considered in the case of manufacturing drugs, which are typically not applied in the case of a simple possession charge.
The Drug Schedules Explained
The drug schedules are ordered in numbers from I to V, and they are labeled according to the level of harm and risk of addiction by the state and federal governments. For example, a Schedule I drug has the most severe punishments for an individual who is caught in possession with the intent to sell. While on the other hand, a Schedule V drug has the lowest potential consequences.
- Schedule I substances – Heroin, crack cocaine, and LSD are among the drugs considered to have the biggest risk for potential harm, addiction, and abuse, and they have no accepted medical value.
- Schedule II substances – Methadone, cocaine, and OxyContin are examples of drugs considered the second biggest risk for potential harm, addiction, and abuse. However, Schedule II drugs have some accepted medical value and could even be prescribed.
- Schedule III substances – Ketamine and steroids are considered examples of the middle ground risk for potential harm, addiction, and abuse.
- Schedule IV substances – Tramadol and Xanax are considered examples of the second-lowest risk for potential harm, addiction, and abuse.
- Schedule V substances – Motfen and Lyrica are considered examples of the lowest risk for potential harm, addiction, and abuse.
When it comes to drug crimes, there is a wide variation depending on the type and weight of the controlled substance that you are being accused of manufacturing with the intent to sell. It is always worth hiring a criminal defense attorney from The Law Place to examine your case and help you to face the challenges that you might be up against.
What Other Defenses Could Your Criminal Defense Attorney Utilize?
The Law Place has managed to achieve success for clients who are facing drug crimes by using a series of defense methods such as:
- You have been confused with another individual who is manufacturing a controlled substance.
- The weight of the controlled substance was measured and weighed incorrectly.
- The law enforcement officials identified the controlled substance in a flawed way.
- The law enforcement officer got the evidence for the case in a way that is considered unlawful. For instance, not using a search warrant, which means that all evidence will likely be classed as inadmissible by the court.
- The controlled substance or special equipment that was apparently used to manufacture the drugs does not belong to you.
- The law enforcement officer behaved in a way that could be considered unlawful entrapment.
A criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place will be able to discuss the details of your case and build a strong defense strategy based on your specific circumstances. The Law Place is known for providing strong representation for every client, and we are well informed when it comes to battling drug crimes. But above all else, we will listen to your story and allow you to share how you feel with no fear of reprisal.
In fact, we will be able to develop a better defense strategy when you entrust us with more information regarding your individual case. This will also give you the best chance of securing a reasonable outcome for your case, which could mean that the charges against you are minimized as much as possible, and the consequences are dramatically reduced.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you are facing manufacturing of illegal drugs with intent to sell charges, then you must reach out to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible in Sarasota. It is very important that you understand your legal rights under Florida law when you have been charged, as the consequences associated with manufacturing drugs can be especially harsh. It is possible that you might be feeling intimidated, or even afraid, of what comes next. In this case, we suggest that you let The Law Place step in to handle your case.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in helping clients fight their cases, whether it is car accidents, white-collar crimes, drug crimes, trespassing charges, or anything else. We are highly trained when it comes to fighting drug crimes, and we will be able to navigate you through the legal system with skill and efficiency.
Our law firm is committed to providing the best representation for our clients across the State of Florida. Our prime focus is always the client, and we will make sure that your case is recognized and actively fought. We will explore every available option when we begin to build a defense strategy for your case, and we will work hard to ensure that the charges are reduced and the consequences are minimized as much as possible.
If you would like to know more about how we can help you, then do not hesitate to call us today for a free consultation. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that we can be there for you when you need it the most. In the conversation, a criminal defense lawyer will discuss the specifics of your case, answer your questions, and give you an unbiased piece of advice. We have had the privilege of helping so many people who have faced a similar situation to you, and we want to be the ones to help you make it through.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your manufacturing of illegal drugs with intent charges together in Sarasota.