Drug Trafficking Lawyers in Orlando

Protecting Your Rights in Court

If you are arrested with a large amount of drugs or controlled substances on your person, you could be charged with drug trafficking. Drug trafficking is similar to drug sale and distribution, except drug trafficking often happens on a much larger scale. If you are charged with drug trafficking, you could be facing penalties like jail time, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record.

When facing drug trafficking charges, the best way to protect your freedom and your rights is by hiring a drug trafficking lawyer. At Alain Rivas & Associates, P.A., our experienced legal team can provide representation in and out of court, walking you through every step of your drug trafficking case. Drug offenses often have mandatory minimum sentences, meaning you may be unable to avoid prison time and fines without a defense lawyer on your side.

Whether it’s your first offense or you have a criminal history already, hiring legal representation after being charged with a drug crime is essential. For a free consultation and to learn more about our services, contact our law firm today by calling 407-934-0324.

What is Drug Trafficking?

Drug trafficking typically involves selling a controlled substance to other countries or across state lines. While drug trafficking often involves some sort of sale or distribution, simply being in possession of a controlled substance can be enough to be charged with drug trafficking charges. The amount of drugs that are required for drug trafficking charges varies from state to state and depends on the controlled substance in your possession.

Marijuana trafficking is one of the most common drug trafficking offenses. In Florida, individuals caught with over 25 pounds or 300 plants of marijuana can be charged with drug trafficking. Marijuana trafficking is considered a first-degree felony and often comes with severe penalties.

Individuals can also be charged with drug trafficking if they are found with over 28 grams of cocaine, over one gram of LSD, and over seven grams of oxycodone. It is essential to contact a criminal defense attorney if you are facing drug trafficking charges.

Federal drug trafficking is a more severe offense. While most drug trafficking cases are handled through the state, federal law prohibits individuals from manufacturing, dispensing, or

possessing drugs with the intent to sell or distribute. Similarly, federal law prohibits individuals from creating, distributing, or possessing a counterfeit substance. If you are charged with drug trafficking, it is possible that your case will be processed in federal court.

Are Drug Trafficking Charges State or Federal Offenses?

In most cases, drug trafficking charges are charged at the state level, meaning they are prosecuted in state court. However, some circumstances can result in drug trafficking charges at the federal level.

If the following are true, you may face federal drug trafficking charges:

• A federal agency investigated the case
• The quantity of the drugs is very large
• The case involves Medicare or Medicaid fraud
• The case involves a significant amount of money
• The case involves money laundering
• The case involves prescription drugs
• The offense involves a death that falls outside of the state’s jurisdiction
• Large amounts of drugs are moved from one state to another

Drug trafficking offenses are considered some of the most severe of the drug-related crimes. Drug charges often carry penalties like jail time and fines. If you are accused of trafficking illegal drugs, contact our law office today.

What Are the Most Common Defense Strategies for Drug Trafficking?

Drug crimes are serious, but every individual is innocent until proven guilty. If you are charged with drug trafficking, our team will always attempt to get your charges dropped. There are various ways to do this, and your specific defense strategy will depend on the nature of your charges and the crime committed. However, some common defense strategies may apply to your situation.

The most common defenses for a drug trafficking charge include the following:

• The case is not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. To convict you, prosecutors must have rock-solid evidence. Our team will question the integrity of that evidence to disprove your guilt.
• Law enforcement officers made mistakes. Police officers are often the ones making the initial arrest. If there were any mistakes with your arrest or the handling of the evidence against you, our team will call that out in your defense.
• Your rights were violated. Every individual has the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent after an arrest. If your rights were violated or you were not properly informed of your rights, the entire case against you could be flawed.

Having a large amount of illegal drugs on your person or in your home can be considered drug trafficking, but drug trafficking charges can be fought. With our 27 years of collective experience, our team is confident that we can assist you with any drug-related charges you are facing.

Can a Drug Trafficking Attorney Help Me?

Drug-related offenses are serious and can carry severe penalties, including jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. If you are facing drug trafficking charges, the best way to protect your freedom and your future is by hiring a criminal defense attorney immediately. Our team at Alain Rivas & Associates, P.A., is committed to helping you through your entire case, from being arrested all the way to standing before a judge in court.

As your attorneys, our legal team will spend time getting to know you and investigating the facts of your case. We will use our experience and our legal knowledge to develop a legal defense strategy for the best possible outcome. To receive a free consultation and learn more about our team, contact us today at 407-934-0324.