Drug Defense Lawyer Near Me in West Palm Beach FL

Drug offenses in Florida carry some of the most severe penalties found anywhere in the country. If you’re facing drug charges, your potential sentence can include jail time, fines, and a criminal record with long-term consequences. You need a reliable West Palm Beach drug lawyer to explain your options and fight for your freedom.

Legal representation is especially important for Florida drug charges because the laws are so complex. Offenses are classified based on the type and amount of drug involved, plus many other factors.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for drug crimes in West Palm Beach, call The DUI Center now at (561) 951-1264 for your free consultation.

What Types of Drug Charges Exist in West Palm Beach, FL?

Some of the most common types of drug charges in West Palm Beach, FL include:

• Selling a controlled substance
• Delivering a controlled substance
• Trafficking a controlled substance
• Drug Possessing Charges in West Palm Beach
• Manufacturing or cultivating a controlled substance
• Falsely obtaining or prescribing a controlled substance
• Possessing a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, distribute, or sell

You may surprised to hear these crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. It all depends on details like which category the controlled substance in question falls into, and what amount of it you allegedly possessed.

Where the drug crime occurred can impact how you’re charged too. If you were near a childcare facility or school, for example, you face far more severe penalties.

How Does Florida Law Classify Controlled Substances?

Florida law classifies controlled substances in a way that mostly mirrors the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which Congress passed in 1970. Basically, drugs are sorted into different categories based on their medical benefit and potential for addiction.

Schedule I drugs, which have a very high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, include:

• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Heroin
• LSD
• Peyote
• Marijuana

Schedule II drugs, which have a high potential for addiction and some accepted medical use, are:

• Fentanyl
• Vicodin
• Hydrocodone
• Cocaine
• Meth

Schedule III drugs, which have a moderate potential for abuse and accepted medical use, are:

• Ketamine
• Anabolic steroids
• Testosterone

Schedule IV drugs, which have a moderate potential for abuse and widely accepted medical use, include:

• Ambien
• Xanax
• Valium
• Tramadol

Schedule V drugs, which aren’t as easily abused and are widely accepted medical treatments, are:

• Robitussin and other cough medicines
• Over-the-counter painkillers

For a full list of every single drug and schedule, you can read FS Title XLVI, Chapter 893.03.

You must be aware of these classifications because they can have a major impact on your case. The amount of drugs you’re caught with is indeed a key factor, but how the drug is scheduled can profoundly alter the potential penalties.

If you’re facing drug charges, you need a knowledgeable, reliable drug lawyer in West Palm Beach to advocate on your behalf. Because the laws in Florida are so severe—and complex—working with a communicative attorney is the best way to understand what you’re up against and what your options are.

Possible Penalties for Drug Crimes in West Palm Beach

The possible penalties you face for a drug crime conviction in West Palm Beach depend on many details specific to your case. The simplest way to break things down is into four categories: paraphernalia, simple possession, possession with intent to sell, and trafficking.

Being charged with a drug crime related to paraphernalia means you allegedly possessed “equipment, products, and materials of any kind” used with illegal drugs. This can include everything from a scale to a syringe. Potential penalties include:

• Up to one year in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• Mandatory probation

Simple possession means having ownership of a controlled substance—specifically, having the “ability to exercise the right of ownership, management, or control.” Penalties vary wildly depending on the substance in question.

Potential penalties for simple possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana include:

• Up to one year in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• Mandatory probation
• Driver’s license suspension for 6 months

However, the possible consequences for simple possession of cocaine are:

• Up to five years in jail
• Fines up to $5,000
• Mandatory probation
• Driver’s license suspension for two years

Both trafficking and possession with intent to sell are punished similarly to simple possession. Whether you’re facing felony or misdemeanor charges will depend entirely on details like the substance, the amount, and the location.

That said, here’s what to expect depending on the nature of your charges:

• Second-degree misdemeanor – Maximum is 60 days in jail or 6 months probation and up to a $500 fine
• First-degree misdemeanor – Maximum is 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine
• Third-degree felony – Maximum is 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000
• Second-degree felony – Maximum is 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
• First-degree felony – Maximum is 30 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000

Defending Against Drug Charges in Florida

There are several potential defense strategies that a knowledgeable West Palm Beach drug lawyer like Andrew Simko will consider for your case:

• Illegal search and seizure – If evidence was obtained while violating your Constitutional rights, we may be able to prevent that evidence from being used against you in court
• Dismissal of charges – If the prosecution can’t prove the charges against you, we can push for dismissal of all charges
• Entrapment – Though challenging to prove, if the government presented you with an opportunity to break the law, this can be an effective strategy
• Discrediting informants – Witnesses are common in Florida drug charges, and we’ll look for evidence that their testimony is biased or untrustworthy
• Constructive possession – If we can prove you had no knowledge nor control of the drugs, we can argue that you only had constructive possession and shouldn’t be charged

But as you now know, there’s an extremely wide range of drug charges and penalties in Florida. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced West Palm Beach drug lawyer.

As a former prosecutor, our attorney Andrew Simko has a unique perspective on defending drug charges. His experience means he truly understands which strategies the prosecution may try to use against you—and more importantly, he knows how to dismantle their attempts.

Hire an Honest, Dedicated West Palm Beach Drug Defense Lawyer

Drug charges are among the most serious you can find yourself facing in the state of Florida. Even if the prosecution offers you a plea bargain, you’ll likely still be hit with serious consequences like jail time and a criminal record.

Working with an honest, dedicated, and knowledgeable drug lawyer in West Palm Beach like Andrew Simko is the best way to minimize these life-altering penalties and secure the best possible outcome in your case.

If you or a loved one are facing drug charges in West Palm Beach FL, contact The DUI Center today at (561) 951-1264.

West Palm Beach Drug Lawyer FAQs

Can a defense lawyer get my drug charges reduced or dismissed in West Palm Beach?

Yes, there’s a very good chance that a defense lawyer can get your drug charges reduced or dismissed in West Palm Beach. But it’s unwise to do an online search for a “drug defense lawyer near me in West Palm Beach FL” and pick the first result without any further research.

Take the time to find a drug lawyer in West Palm Beach with a proven track record for defending clients facing drug charges in FL. You need someone who’s both familiar with the state’s complex drug laws and comfortable advocating on your behalf.

Without these qualities, your defense lawyer may struggle to get your drug charges dismissed or reduced.

Why do I need a lawyer specialized in drug crimes in West Palm Beach?

You need a lawyer specialized in drug crimes in West Palm Beach because without one, you’re more likely to be hit with life-altering consequences. Plus, you can easily find yourself facing felony charges—and you don’t want an inexperienced attorney in that scenario.

Here are some of the key benefits of working with a West Palm Beach drug lawyer:

• In-depth knowledge of how to suppress the prosecution’s evidence against you
• Clear explanations of the legal process and how to prepare for each stage
• Advice on whether you should accept any offered plea bargains
• Defense strategy custom-tailored to your case’s specific details

What qualifications should I look for in a West Palm Beach drug crimes attorney?

Look for these qualifications in a West Palm Beach drug crimes attorney:

• Deep understanding of drug laws at the state and federal level
• Thorough knowledge of legal procedures as they relate to drug cases
• Extensive experience with crafting successful defense strategies
• Strong ability to analyze data, facts, and statements related to your case
• A proven track record of success in defending West Palm Beach drug crimes
• High awareness of how addiction and rehab can influence the verdict in your case

As a former Florida prosecutor, Andrew Simko is a West Palm Beach drug lawyer with the knowledge, experience, and attention to detail needed to defend your case and fight for your freedom. Call West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney from The DUI Center now at (561) 951-1264 for your free case evaluation.