Miami Drug Crime Defense Attorney

Serving Clients Facing Drug Charges Throughout Miami

Being charged with a drug crime in Florida is a serious matter, since the state’s narcotics laws are among the toughest in the nation. While relatively minor drug possession charges can lead to jail time, a conviction for more a serious drug offense can result in a lengthy prison sentence, probation, and significant fines. If you have been accused of a drug crime, it is imperative you have the best criminal defense attorney in your corner – that is where Valiente, Carollo, and McElligott PLLC comes in.

At Valiente, Carollo, and McElligott PLLC, we are knowledgeable in the applicable state and federal narcotics laws and are highly regarded for providing our clients with aggressive legal representation. We routinely handle drug crimes ranging from possession of marijuana to manufacturing, distribution or trafficking of dangerous drugs to prescription fraud.

Drug-related crimes are some of the most common and one of the most serious crimes that you can be accused of. This is something that is going to be on your record possibly for the rest of your life that will have a wide range of consequences not just possibly fines and possible jail time but other consequences such as if you’re not a US Citizen, you could have deportation consequences. If you are a US Citizen taking a plea to basically any drug-related offense is going to result in your license being suspended which can affect your work. It affects your life in every single way. That’s why bottom line you want the best attorneys with the most experience to get you the best possible outcome in your case. At Valiente, Carollo, and McElligott PLLC, we have that experience. We are those attorneys who can get you the best possible outcome.

Call Us At 786-361-6887 For A FREE Consultation! 

Drug Charges in Florida

There are a variety of criminal drug charges in Florida, including:

• Possession — Charges ultimately hinge on whether the drugs are classified as dangerous narcotics (heroin, PCP) or non-dangerous and the amount found in your possession
• Distribution — The sale, distribution, or conspiring to sell or distribute, illegal narcotics
• Manufacturing — Manufacturing controlled substances such as crack cocaine or methamphetamines, possessing materials to manufacture illegal drugs, or cultivation of marijuana
• Trafficking — The the intentional sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, possession, or transportation into Florida of a large amount of narcotics, carries mandatory minimum sentences
• Prescription Fraud — Using fake or forged prescriptions to obtain opioids, tranquilizers, or other prescription medication, or “pharmacy shopping,” attempting to fill legitimate prescriptions at multiple pharmacies

Because the penalties for drug crimes depend on factors such as the nature of the crime (possession for use as opposed to possession with the intent to distribute), and the quantity involved, it is crucial to have the advice and guidance of an experienced Florida drug crimes attorney.

Drug Classifications

Illegal narcotics are divided into five schedules based on federal classifications that consider a drug’s known medical use and potential to be abused. The classifications are as follows:

Schedule I — Drugs with no known medicinal use and that may likely to lead to dependency such as heroin, psilocybin (mushrooms), MDMA (ecstasy or Molly), peyote, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), fentanyl derivatives.
Schedule II — Substances with some accepted medical use, but are also likely to be abused, including codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, oxycontin, opium, methamphetamine, cocaine and methadone
Schedule III – Drugs with some accepted medical purpose, but pose a moderate risk of abuse, such as barbiturates, anabolic steroids, or medicines containing small amounts of codeine.
Schedule IV – Prescription anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax, Valium, Zolpidem, and Ambien
Schedule V – Substances containing limited quantities of narcotics, or one or more non-narcotic active medical ingredient, often found in over-the-counter medicines, cough syrups and cold medications

Marijuana Possession

Despite the fact that the use of medical marijuana with a prescription and license has been permitted in Florida since 2017 (with numerous restrictions), marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug under federal law. As such, recreational use remains illegal federally and in Florida. Currently, possession of less than 20 grams, or possession of paraphernalia (rolling papers, pipes, etc) is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

Possession of 20 grams or more of marijuana is a felony, however. Carrying up to 25 pounds can lead to a five-year prison sentence, while holding more than 25 pounds (but less than 2,000 pounds) is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fines. Possession of these amounts may also lead to drug trafficking charges. Possessing marijuana plants is also unlawful and the punishment depends on the number of plants involved. Finally, there are enhanced penalties for possessing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or park, up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Florida Drug Crime Penalties

The penalties for drug crimes in Florida depend on factors such as the classification and amount, whether the drugs were intended for personal use or distribution, or whether the accused has prior drug convictions or other felony offenses. In short, convictions may lead to imprisonment, fines, probation, as well as the loss of your driving privileges:

• Possession — Possession of more than 10 grams of most Schedule 1 drugs is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, or both. Possession of any other controlled dangerous substance is a third-degree felony which could lead to five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000 or both.
• Drug Trafficking — The intentional sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, possession, or transportation of a controlled substance above statutory weight limits. Punishment depends on the classification and amount, from a minimum of 3 years in prison and fines up to $50,000 to a maximum of a life sentence without parole.

Miami Drug Possession Attorney

Valiente, Carollo, and McElligott PLLC defends clients against drug crimes in Florida ranging from simple marijuana possession to the trafficking or manufacturing of controlled substances. We leverage our knowledge of state and federal narcotics laws and investigative skills to build defense strategies that lead to successful outcomes.

If you were charged with possession of marijuana, for example, prosecutors must be able to show that you were knowingly in possession of the drug. Often, these cases involve mistakes or procedural violations by the arresting officer, most notably, illegal search and seizure. This can occur when you are stopped by police without justification, such as speeding or another traffic violation, when you did not commit the original traffic offense for which you were initially stopped. Similarly, the arresting officer may have failed to read your Miranda Warnings (“You have a right to remain silent,” etc.).

Regardless of the narcotics charges you are facing, a conviction can jeopardize your freedom and cause long-lasting damage to your standing in the community. Our legal team will work tirelessly to have the charges against you dismissed or to win an acquittal at trial. Depending on the strength of the evidence against you, we may seek to have the charges reduced. If you are being investigated for or have been charged with a drug crime in Florida, don’t go it alone as the potential consequences are serious.

Call Valiente, Carollo, and McElligott PLLC today or complete the online contact form to set up a free consultation. 

Featured Testimonial

Miami Drug Crimes Defense Review

Mr. Valiente represented my boyfriend in a drug case. As we all tend to assume a private paid for attorney would be a better suit because PD’s are usually so busy with all these other cases. But this case was different. Mr. Valiente returned calls, emails, text messages. EVERYTHING. He was hands on with me with everything. Even down to the end of his case we kept in constant contact. I appreciate everything he did for me and my family. He advised my boyfriend on what was best and in the end his sentence was reduced from 15 years to 3 years with CTS. We were pleased considering how severe the case was.

Elizabeth L.

Miami Drug Crimes Defense Attorney

5/5