Drug Crimes Attorney In Brevard County, Florida

Drug-related offenses are some of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in the United States. In Florida, police conduct thousands of arrests each year for drug offenses, including simple possession, possession with intent to sell, and drug trafficking. As a result, Florida police recover millions in illicit drugs each year, and the penalties for conviction for drug-related offenses can fluctuate dramatically based on various factors.

Criminal Defense Representation for Brevard County, FL, Drug Crimes

If you or a family member have recently been arrested for any kind of drug charge in Brevard County, FL, you must understand your rights upon arrest and what you can do to defend yourself against conviction. Every American citizen has the right to legal counsel when they are accused of a crime, and Chang & Pyles can offer the robust defense representation you need to approach a drug crime case with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Why You need a Brevard County, FL, Drug Crime Defense Attorney

Florida state law enforces a wide range of penalties for drug-related criminal offenses that use the federal Schedule system enforced by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The higher the Schedule of the drug in a criminal case, the more severe the penalties that would apply if the defendant were convicted. Schedule I drugs are the most serious and include substances like heroin and other synthetic opioids, and the list extends down to Schedule V drugs.

Penalties for drug-related offenses in Florida depend on the type and quantity of the drug in question. For example, possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana in Florida is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in county jail. Possession of less than just four grams of heroin is a felony punishable by a $5,000 fine, five years in Florida state prison, and then five more years of probation. In addition, if any evidence indicates a defendant intended to sell the drugs in question, their charge escalates from simple possession to possession with intent to sell. Paraphernalia that may work against a defendant in this regard may include measurement devices, baggies, and large amounts of cash that indicate street sales of illicit drugs.

When a defendant has taken drugs a significant distance, usually across county lines in Florida, they could face a charge of drug trafficking. When a suspect has trafficked illegal drugs across state lines, the offense escalates to a federal crime.

Defending Yourself From Drug Charge Conviction in Brevard County, FL

An experienced Brevard County, FL, drug crime defense attorney is an essential asset for anyone who intends to defend themselves from conviction on drug-related charges. If convicted, you would not only face penalties handed down by the judge but also various personal and professional repercussions as well. For example, you could lose any professional licenses you hold and lose membership in your professional organizations.

For the best chance of defending yourself in court, you need an experienced Brevard County, FL, drug crime defense attorney. Chang & Pyles has a long record of successful past cases and the ability to handle a wide range of drug crime cases for clients in the Brevard County area. You may have more defenses available to you than you initially expect, and the right defense attorney will be essential for taking full advantage of them.

Alternative or diversionary sentencing is sometimes in play for defendants who struggle with advanced substance abuse disorders. If you or a loved one faces a drug-related criminal conviction due to addiction, your attorney can potentially help you make a compelling case for leniency. For some defendants, their legal counsel makes the difference between going to rehab and going to jail. If this applies to your situation, you will need a defense attorney who knows how to plea bargain on your behalf.

If you did not commit the offense in question, successfully avoiding conviction is likely to require an error in fact on the part of the prosecution, proving the drugs in question did not belong to you, or exposing any mishandling of your arrest. For example, if the police violated due process in handling your arrest, this could be enough to have your case dismissed.