Drug Trafficking
St. Petersburg Drug Trafficking Attorney
The Morris Law Firm can help and has specific knowledge and experience in Drug crimes defense. Melinda Morris, managing partner of The Morris Law Firm, is an experienced Drug Trafficking lawyer who was a State Attorney and was responsible for prosecuting a range of very serious Drug Offenses from investigation through trial. In fact, Ms. Morris received special training on prosecuting drug crimes from the State of Florida. For a drug lawyer, this inside knowledge is of critical importance and can benefit the defense of your case. Act now to consult with a Drug Trafficking attorney and find out how to best protect your rights and future opportunities. A conviction for any drug offenses can cause far reaching consequences, including but not limited to:
- negatively affecting your employment, military, or academic status;
- prohibiting you from attending your child’s school or recreational activities;
- ineligibility to have your record sealed; and
- if convicted a mandatory two (2) year Driver’s License suspension.
893.135: Trafficking, mandatory sentences; suspension or reduction of sentences; conspiracy to engage in trafficking:
Trafficking in Cannabis | 1st Degree Felony Charge
Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- In excess of 25 but less than 2,000 pounds or 300 or more cannabis plants
- 3 Years + $25,000 fine
- 2,000 pounds but less than 10,000 pounds or is 2,000 or more cannabis plants
- 7 Years + $50,000 fine
- 10,000 pounds or more or is 10,000 or more cannabis plants
- 15 Years + $200,000 fine
Trafficking in Cocaine | 1st Degree Felony Charge
Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams
- 3 Years + $25,000 fine
- 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams
- 7 Years + $100,000 fine
- 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms
- 15 Years + $250,000 fine
Trafficking in Heroin | 1st Degree Felony Charge
Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams
- 3 Years + $50,000 fine
- 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams
- 15 Years + $100,000 fine
- 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
- 25 Years + $500,000 fine
Drug Trafficking | Prescription Pills
Trafficking of controlled substances such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamines are followed by harsh penalties. T trafficking in prescribe medicine may results in years of jail and and substantial fines & fees. If you only possessed five pills in your, you may be convicted of a drug trafficking charge. The prosecutor is not obligated to render evidence of illegal sales the only requirement is proof of possession.
For instance, possessing 4.26 grams of OxyCodone carries a 3 year minimum mandatory sentence, while possession of 26 or grams OxyCodone can result in 25 years of jail time. Common trafficked prescription drug are Vicodin / Hydrocodone, Opium, Morphine, Valium / Benzodiazepines, Ritalin / Methylphenidates and Amphetamines.
Armed Drug Trafficking
Armed Drug Trafficking is a severe offense in the State of Florida. The Morris Law Firm can defend you if you are facing charges involving this particular offense. Our criminal defense attorney will provide competent and advantageous legal advice to help you understand the possible defenses and sentencing.
The State of Florida term "armed trafficking" is considered a subsequent charge from the primary offense of illegal drug trafficking. The succeeding offense is charged due to the use, applicable threat, possession, or exposing of a firearm or weapon during the initial drug trafficking offense.
Armed Drug Trafficking allegations principally increase the punishment further. First off the minimum mandatory sentencing for the underlying offense of trafficking in marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or another illegal drug will apply even when "armed trafficking" is alleged.
The additional constituent of armed trafficking provides a origin for the reclassification of the level of offense to a severe charge consistent to Florida Statute Section 775.087(1)(a).
§775.087 Possession or use of weapon; aggravated battery; felony reclassification; minimum sentence.--
(1) Unless otherwise provided by law, whenever a person is charged with a felony, except a felony in which the use of a weapon or firearm is an essential element, and during the commission of such felony the defendant carries, displays, uses, threatens to use, or attempts to use any weapon or firearm, or during the commission of such felony the defendant commits an aggravated battery, the felony for which the person is charged shall be reclassified as follows:
- In the case of a felony of the first degree, to a life felony.
- In the case of a felony of the second degree, to a felony of the first degree.
- In the case of a felony of the third degree, to a felony of the second degree.
For purposes of sentencing under chapter 921 and determining incentive gain-time eligibility under chapter 944, a felony offense which is reclassified under this section is ranked one level above the ranking under s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 of the felony offense committed.
For advantageous Armed Trafficking defense strategies contact St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney with the Morris Law Firm to talk over how we are able to represent you. Call us today at (727) 388-4736 or provide us with you case details in our online form.
The Morris Law Firm represents the following Drug Trafficking charges coinciding with an "armed trafficking" offense:
- Marijuana / Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine / Meth / Crystal Meth
- PCP (Phencyclidine)
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
- Psilocybin (Mushrooms)
- MDMA / XTC (Ecstasy)
- Opium
- OxyContin / Oxycodon
- Demerol / Meperidine
- Vicodin / Hydrocodone
- Valium / Diazepam
- Xanax / Alprazolam
- Ritalin / Adderall / Methylphenidate / Amphetamine
Federal Drug Trafficking
|
Drug/Schedule
|
Quantity
|
Penalties
|
Quantity
|
Penalties
|
| Cocaine (Schedule II) |
500 - 4999 gms mixture |
First Offense:
Punishable by more than 5 years, no more than 40 years. Death or serious injury, not less than 20 years or more than life a life sentence. Individual fine of not more than $2 million, $5 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Punishable by more than 10 years, and not more than a life sentence. Death or serious injury, punishment of life imprisonment. Individual fine of no more than $4 million, $10 million if not an individual.
|
5 kgs or more mixture
|
First Offense:
Punishable by more than 10 years, and no more than a life sentence. Death or serious injury, not less than 20 years or more than a life sentence. Inidividual fine of no more than $4 million, $10 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Punishable by more than 20 years, and no more than a life sentence. Death or serious injury, life imprisonment. Individual fine of no more than $8 million, $20 million if not an individual.
2 or More Prior Offenses: Life imprisonment.
|
| Cocaine Base (Schedule II) |
5-49 gms mixture |
50 gms or more mixture |
| Fentanyl (Schedule II) |
40 - 399 grams |
400 gms or more mixture |
| Fentanyl Analogue (Schedule I) |
10 - 99 gms mixture |
100 gms or more mixture |
| Heroin (Schedule I) |
100 - 999 gms mixture |
1 kg or more mixture |
| LSD (Schedule I) |
1 - 9 gms mixture |
10 gms or more mixture
|
| Methamphetamine (Schedule II) |
5 - 49 gms pure or 50 - 499 gms mixture |
50 gms or more pure or 500 gms or more mixture |
| PCP (Schedule II) |
10 - 99 gms pure or 100 - 999 gms mixture |
100 gm or more pure or 1 kg or more mixture
|
| Penalties |
| Other Schedule I & II drugs (and any drug product containing Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid) |
Any amount
|
First Offense: Punishable up to 20 years. Death or serious injury, punishable by more than 20 years, or more than a life sentence. Individual fine of $1 million, $5 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Punishable up to 30 years. Death or serious injury, Punishable by more than a life sentence. Individual fine of $2 million, $10 million if not an individual.
|
Flunitrazepam
(Schedule IV) |
1 gm or more |
|
Other Schedule III drugs
|
Any amount
|
First Offense: Punishable up to 5 years. Fine not more than $250,000 if an individual, $1 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Punishable up to 10 years. Fine not more than $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if not an individual.
|
| Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV) |
30 to 999 mgs |
|
All other Schedule IV drugs
|
Any amount
|
First Offense: Punishable up to 3 years. Individual fine of no more than $250,000, $1 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Punishable up to 6 years. Individual fine ofno more than $500,000, $2 million if not an individual.
|
| Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV) |
Less than 30 mgs |
|
All Schedule V drugs
|
Any amount
|
First Offense: Punishable up to 1 year. Individual fine of no more than $100,000, $250,000 if not an individual.
Second Offense: Punishable up to 2 years. Individual fine of no more than $200,000, $500,000 if not an individual.
|
Federal Drug Trafficking - Marijuana
| Drug |
Quantity |
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
| Marijuana |
1,000 kg or more mixture; or 1,000 or more plants |
- Punishable by more than 10 years, no more than a life sentence.
- If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years, not more than life.
- Fine not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if other than an individual.
|
- Punishable by more than 20 years, not more than life.
- If death or serious injury, mandatory life sentence.
- Fine not more than $8 million if an individual, $20 million if other than an individual.
|
| Marijuana |
100 kg to 999 kg mixture; or 100 to 999 plants |
- Punishable by more than 5 years, not more than 40 years.
- If death or serous injury, not less than 20 years, not more than life.
- Fine not more than $2 million if an individual, $5 million if other than an individual.
|
- Punishable by more than 10 years, not more than life.
- If death or serious injury, mandatory life sentence.
- Fine not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if other than an individual.
|
| Marijuana |
more than 10 kgs hashish; 50 to 99 kg mixture
more than 1 kg of hashish oil; 50 to 99 plants
|
- Punishable up to 20 years
- If death or serious injury, no less than 20 years, no more than a life sentence.
- Fine $1 million, $5 million if other than an individual.
|
- Punishable up to 30 years.
- If death or seroius injury, mandatory life sentence.
- Fine $2 million, $10 million if other than individual.
|
| Marijuana |
1 to 49 plants; less than 50 kg mixture |
- Punishable up to 5 years.
- Fine not more than $250,000, $1 million other than individual.
|
- Punishable up to 10 years.
- Fine $500,000, $2 million if other than individual.
|
| Hashish |
10 kg or less |
| Hashish Oil |
1 kg or less |
Federal Drug Trafficking Bond Motions
§893.135 Trafficking; Mandatory Sentences; Suspension or Reduction of Sentences; Conspiracy to Engage in Trafficking
§893.135 (I)4. The state attorney may move the sentencing court to reduce or suspend the sentence of any person who is convicted of a violation of this section and who provides substantial assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any of that person's accomplices, accessories, coconspirators, or principals or of any other person engaged in trafficking in controlled substances. The arresting agency shall be given an opportunity to be heard in aggravation or mitigation in reference to any such motion. Upon good cause shown, the motion may be filed and heard in camera. The judge hearing the motion may reduce or suspend the sentence if the judge finds that the defendant rendered such substantial assistance.
Morris Law Firm | How We Can Help You
Morris Law Firm represents clients as the Drug Crime attorney / Drug Offense lawyer throughout Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay, FL Area (St. Petersburg, Tampa, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk). Drug Offenses such as Drug Trafficking charges are very severe and may seriously affect your social life. Attorney Melinda Morris have years of practical and functional knowledge when it comes to Drug crimes in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Pinellas County.
If you are facing a Drug Trafficking charge, you need an attorney. Contact Clearwater’s Drug Crime attorney for more information about your case throughout the Tampa Bay area including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bartow, New Port Richey, Dade City, Plant City, including the counties of Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas or the surrounding areas. Contact Attorney Melinda Morris with The Morris Law to get assistance with your legal needs.