Drug Crimes Attorney in Miami, FL

See the Difference that a Former Prosecutor Can Make in Your Case

Florida — especially the South Florida area — is notorious for drug possession, drug trafficking, and other drug-related crimes, which makes it no surprise that Florida’s drug laws are among the harshest in the United States. If you think a “petty” drug offense like possessing a small amount of marijuana or prescription pills without a valid prescription is no big deal, think again. What most people don’t realize about all drug offenses, even seemingly minor ones, is that they could follow them around for the rest of their lives and hurt the chances of accessing critical opportunities such as employment. After all, today’s employers are very reluctant to hire people with a criminal record for a drug crime and often drug test prospective employees.

For the best chances of overcoming your drug charges in Miami, you must retain the defense of a Miami drug crime lawyer who understands how both sides of the law work. As a former prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Yale Galanter has key insights into how the prosecution operates and uses such knowledge to formulate aggressive defenses that counteract the State’s anticipated attacks. Our attorney is intimately familiar with the drug crimes process and has a keen ability to expose weaknesses in the government’s cases, which has allowed us to achieve favorable outcomes in the hundreds of drug cases we’ve handled, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.

Drug Crimes We Defend

Our Miami drug crimes attorney has extensive knowledge of how these cases are handled on both sides of the law. As such, we can prepare our clients for the scenarios they are facing by providing honest, realistic and compassionate counsel every step of the way. No matter how complex your drug crime accusations are, we are equipped with the experience and skill needed to help you move forward with your life.

Our drug crimes lawyer in Miami handles the following cases:

• Drug possession
• Asset forfeiture
• Simple possession
• Drug programs for possession crimes
• State/federal drug possession
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession with intent to sell
• Possession with intent to sell within a school zone
• Prescription pill possession charges
• State/federal drug trafficking

What Do My Drug Charges Mean?

Possession of an illegal drug is a serious crime, one that can land you behind bars and cost you thousands of dollars in fines. Both federal and state law prohibits the possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, GHB, ecstasy and more. Legally prescribed drugs may be illegally possessed as well, such as hydrocodone and methadone.

So, What Does Drug Possession Mean?

Drug possession is ownership or control over an illegal drug or controlled substance. Possession may be actual, constructive, or joint. Actual possession is having the illegal drug or controlled substance on your person, such as in your hand, in your pocket or in a container or bag that is in your hand or on you elsewhere. Constructive possession means the illegal drug or controlled substance is concealed or located in a place where you have control. Joint possession means that two or more people possess the same illegal drug or controlled substance.

The penalties for drug possession are quite serious. For example, possessing a single marijuana cigarette (or any amount of marijuana that’s 20 grams or less) is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a two-year driver’s license suspension, up to one year in jail and/or a $1000 fine. If you are convicted of possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana, you will be found guilty of a third-degree felony punishable by a two-year driver’s license suspension, up to five years in jail and/or a $5000 fine.

Possessing a large amount of drugs or drugs packaged in a particular manner may lead to charges of possession with intent to deliver, sell or traffic. The sale or purchase of drugs with the intent to sell is a felony in Florida. In these types of cases, the prosecution must only prove that the accused intended to sell the drugs, whether or not a sale took place.

Intent to sell can be proved by any of the following evidence:

• Scales
• Baggies and packing supplies
• Large amounts of cash
• Conversations with police informants or undercover agents
• Address books or a similar type of client list
• Wiretapped conversations
• Laboratory equipment for mixing chemicals

While the sale or distribution of an illegal drug is always a felony, the penalties for a conviction depend on the type and quantity of drugs involved. In addition, certain factors can also lead to increased penalties, such as selling or distributing to a minor, selling or distributing drugs near a school or on a school campus, or involving non-violent individuals with drug abuse problems.

With the help of a skilled attorney, some drug crime defendants may be able to avoid jail by completing a drug program. In many instances, drug treatment is considered more appropriate than jail time, especially for non-violent individuals with drug abuse problems. However, the bottom line is that prosecutors and law enforcement officials will not hesitate to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law, which is why you need our superior, aggressive defense in your corner.

There Is No Better Time to Defend Your Freedom Than Right Now.

Felony and misdemeanor drug crimes can get resolved without suffering jail time and sometimes, a conviction appearing on your record. Without a seasoned Miami drug crimes lawyer on your side, you will have difficulty fighting your charges and increase your chances of going to jail. As such, when you retain Galanter Law, P.A., our drug crime lawyer in Miami will tirelessly negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges reduced or dropped altogether so you can enjoy the peace of mind you deserve.