West Palm Beach Drug Trafficking
Defense Attorney

Drug trafficking charges can result in serious penalties, including fines, fees and prison time. If you’ve been charged with this type of federal drug crime, immediately retain an experienced West Palm Beach drug trafficking attorney to help you navigate through the intricacies of your unique case.

David Jofe, P.A. understands that no two cases are the same, and we work with you on a personal basis to understand the circumstances of your case and provide defense options designed to bring about a the most advantageous outcome for your situation.

Defining drug trafficking in West Palm Beach

Under Florida Law, possessing illegal substances with the intent to distribute them constitutes drug trafficking.

Whether the possession was carried out with the intent of simply transferring ownership or actually selling makes no difference when it comes to charges. The acts of selling, manufacturing, possessing or delivering a controlled substance in certain amounts can all be rolled into drug trafficking.

When Does drug trafficking become a federal offense?

If federal agents were involved in your arrest, penalties may escalate based on federal drug trafficking statutes. Likewise, if interstate transport was involved in the trafficking of drugs in your case, federal authority may be exercised. This can become an even bigger deal because, while you are protected against double jeopardy by the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, this does not apply to criminal charges on both the state and federal levels.

You can, in fact, be charged twice for the same crime if the state supplies charges and the federal government supplies separate charges. In such a situation, known as dual sovereignty, you may face drug trafficking charges in West Palm Beach as well as in federal court depending on the circumstances of your case. Because these matters can involving many moving pieces, you’re strongly encouraged to work with a federal defense lawyer who specializes in drug trafficking cases in West Palm Beach.

Are all drugs treated equally?

The quantity of illicit substances involved in your case makes a difference when it comes to charges and sentencing. The type of controlled substance involved in your case may also have an impact on the potential penalties you face in West Palm Beach. Some controlled substances carry more severe penalties compared to other controlled substances in Florida.

Your intent can make a difference as can your knowledge of your actions. This is where a drug trafficking defense attorney in West Palm Beach can offer guidance to navigate the complex nature of cases involving the sale, transfer or possession of controlled substances.

Penalties for drug trafficking in West Palm Beach

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could face harsh penalties if convicted on drug trafficking charges in West Palm Beach. There are many variables that can affect sentencing upon a conviction, including the amount of money involved in illicit transactions, the amount of illegal substances trafficked and whether state lines were crossed during a transaction. As stated above, the type of substance being trafficked can change the penalty schedule as well.

Some examples of penalties faced by individuals convicted of drug trafficking in West Palm Beach include:

• 25-2,000 lbs. of marijuana – 3 years in prison/$25,000 fine
• 7 grams of LSD – 15 years in prison/$500,000 fine
• 7-14 grams of Oxycodone – 3 years in prison/$50,000 fine
• 200-400 grams of cocaine – 7 years in prison/$100,000 fine

As demonstrated above, the penalties for being convicted of drug trafficking in West Palm Beach can be quite severe. This is why having an experienced drug trafficking defense lawyer on your side from the start is imperative. The state has invested into its own team of attorneys, so it only makes sense to work with legal partners you can count on to ensure you receive fair treatment and the best outcome in your case.

What are mandatory minimum sentences?

Florida utilizes mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug trafficking offenses. Mandatory minimums remove much of the discretion a sentencing judge may have in other cases.

Mandatory minimum sentences typically ignore all extenuating circumstances, meaning if you are convicted of a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence, the sentencing judge may not sentence less than that amount.

Can I represent myself?

In the United States, you have the right to represent yourself in all legal matters; however, doing so in a drug trafficking case may not be the best idea. Drug trafficking cases are often complex and invoke complicated processes that may be unfamiliar to someone without a formal legal education or experience in a courtroom.

It is often better to consult with a defense attorney to discuss your options. Your attorney will listen and work together with you to craft strategies designed to offer you the best defense for your specific situation.

Your attorney will handle paperwork and will attend any meetings you have with law enforcement. If your case goes to trial, your attorney can represent your best interests in court to ensure that you receive fair treatment under the law.

Trafficking and prescription drug fraud

Something else to be mindful of is the tough stance on prescription drug fraud in West Palm Beach. Fraud is generally defined as an act of deception. Prescription drug fraud involves the act of deceiving in order to obtain prescription medications. As such, forging prescriptions, filling a prescription written out to someone else, shopping around for doctors to write multiple prescriptions and other acts can all fall under this category.

Prescription drug fraud may go hand-in-hand with drug trafficking as prescription drugs are some of the most trafficked substances in the United States. If you’re facing charges of drug trafficking and/or prescription drug fraud in West Palm Beach, you’re strongly encouraged to call defense counsel immediately to discuss your options.

Retain a drug trafficking defense attorney near you

If you’ve been charged with drug trafficking in West Palm Beach, you need experienced, quality representation right now. Contact the drug trafficking defense attorneys at Joffe Law, P.A. to discuss your case and gain peace of mind in moving forward with the next chapter in your life. Call us at (561) 800-0255 now to discuss how we can help you in your defense.