What are the punishments for Florida drug charges? Fort Lauderdale Drug & Criminal Defense Attorney explains Florida Drug Crime Consequences
Punishments for Florida drug crimes can range from court-mandated treatment all the way up to lengthy prison sentences depending on the severity of the Florida Drug Crime, and whether there is a mandatory minimum jail or prison sentencing in place for the drug crime.
Sometimes, a person facing criminal drug charges in Florida might be eligible for Florida Drug Court. In Florida, Drug Court is an incarceration alternative that can result in your criminal charges being dismissed.
Treatment-based drug court is an alternative program that people who are struggling with addiction can participate in as an alternative to jail or prison time.
This means defendants who enter the judicial system due to their struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol, they can get resources for help and treatment instead of punishment for the crime committed as a result of their addiction.
Drug treatment court in Florida offers defendants the opportunity to restore themselves as productive, non-criminal members of society.
Consequences of Florida Drug Crime Convictions:
Consequences vary for Florida drug crimes.
Many factors come into play in the legal system when it comes to drug crimes – such as the type of drug, how it was packaged, an individual’s prior criminal convictions, and more.
Penalties for drug possession range from small fines to a few days in jail to a large fine and several years in state prison. A small Florida drug possession charge sentence tends to be the lightest, while the intention to distribute drugs or the growing, cultivation/manufacturing of drugs carries much harsher consequences.
Here are a few examples of potential convictions for Florida Drug Crimes – for a more complete list visit our “Florida Drug Convictions have Life-Altering Penalties” article
Weed/Cannabis Possession Penalties in Florida
Possession of Weed in Florida is either a First-Degree Misdemeanor or a Third-Degree Felony depending on the amount of weed.- If you’re convicted of possessing less than 20 grams of Cannabis, you can face up to 1 year in jail, 1 year of probation, and a $1,000 fine.
- If convicted of possession of 20 grams or more of Cannabis, you can face up to 5 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.
Drug Trafficking Penalties in Florida:
The penalties for a conviction of drug trafficking in the state of Florida depend on the specific facts and circumstances of the individual’s case. Drug Trafficking generally is defined as the intentional sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, possession, or transportation of drugs into Florida with a certain amount of drugs that are considered above the “trafficking limit.”
The below guidelines detail the maximum drug trafficking penalties in Florida depending on the amount of the particular substance(s) you’re allegedly found trafficking.
Cocaine Trafficking Penalties in Florida
- If convicted of drug trafficking between 28 and 199 grams of Cocaine, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
- If convicted of drug trafficking between 200 and 400 grams of Cocaine, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
- If convicted of drug trafficking between 400 grams and 149 kilograms of Cocaine, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
*In all of the above cases the judge can impose a maximum of up to 30 years in prison.
Oxycodone Trafficking Penalties in Florida
If convicted of drug trafficking between 7 and 14 grams of Oxycodone, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.- If convicted of trafficking between 14 and 25 grams of Oxycodone, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
- If convicted of drug trafficking between 25 and 100 grams of Oxycodone, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.
- If convicted of drug trafficking between 100 grams and 30 kilograms of Oxycodone, you’re guilty of a First-Degree Felony in Florida and will face a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.
Mandatory Drug Crime Sentencing minimums in Florida
Mandatory minimums are also very serious because they are day-for-day sentences. Meaning, you are not going to get credit for time served, you’re not getting out of prison early for ‘good behavior’ or any other reason if you’re convicted of a crime with a mandatory minimum in Florida.
For more Florida Drug Penalty information for convictions, visit this blog.
Facing Drug Crime Charges in South Florida? Give us a call to schedule a Free Consultation with one of our skilled drug-defense attorneys:
- Fort Lauderdale: (754) 206-6200
- Sunrise: (754) 999-2499
- Boca Raton: (561) 880-8181
HOW WE WIN DRUG CRIME CASES IN SOUTH FLORIDA
- See how we got an Oxycodone Possession Case Dismissed in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
- Learn how we got Felony cocaine charge DROPPED in 1 MONTH in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Learn how Rossen Law Firm got multiple charges of Possession of Marijuana, Drug Paraphernalia & Driving on a Suspended License dismissed in Plantation, Florida.
