For decades, public policy officials have been focused on the “epidemic” of illegal drug use in America. In fact, in recent years, the focus has been on opiates, which are particularly addictive substances. As a result of this focus, law enforcement officials are also focused on illegal drugs, from possession to distribution; they will attempt to track down and prosecute these crimes vigorously.
So, what can you do if you are facing drug crime allegations in Florida? Well, for starters, think about the potential severity of the sentence if you are convicted. In Florida, the consequences for a drug crime conviction can be life-altering. You may be sentenced to years of probation supervision or, even worse, time in prison. As a result, any Florida resident who is facing drug crime allegations will likely benefit from exploring all of the available criminal defense options.
One option is to look at the facts of the case and see if there were any constitutional violations committed by law enforcement officials. If there were, any evidence gathered from a constitutional violation may be suppressed in court – meaning it cannot be used against the accused. Another option is to consider plea negotiations, which could result in lesser charges or penalties.
Lastly, some Florida residents who have been arrested for drug crimes may need to take their case all the way to a jury trial. At our law firm, we do our best to attempt to make sure that our clients have all of the information about the available options in their cases. For more information, please visit the drug crime overview section of our law firm’s website.