Drug Crime Defense by Former Prosecutors
St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Area
The State of Florida provides harsh penalties for drug possession and related offenses, and law enforcement agencies have drug crime units or joint task forces that specifically target drug trafficking. With the possibility of prison even for a personal use amount of drugs, and mandatory minimum sentences for a trafficking conviction, you need an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney. At the Law Offices of Timothy Hessinger, you are represented by two former prosecutors who know the law and how to attack the government's case.
Contact us immediately if you were arrested or suspect you are under investigation. We handle all state drug charges in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Manatee County:
- Possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia
- Controlled substances (cocaine, heroin, meth, LSD, etc.)
- "Date rape" and "club" drugs (MDMA, GHB, ecstasy)
- Illegal prescription narcotics (Oxycontin, Percocet, etc.)
- Drug sales or possession with intent to distribute
- Drug trafficking, importation and conspiracy
- Marijuana cultivation or methamphetamine manufacture
- Drug-related money laundering or firearm enhancements
- Drug Court
Oppressive Penalties
Hard time in prison is just the beginning. Drug charges can result in seizure and forfeiture of assets (money, boats, cars, homes). Your driver's license and professional or business licenses can be revoked. There will be fines, random drug tests and tight parole/probation restrictions, perhaps mandatory counseling or treatment. Employers are notified, and the felony record will shadow you forever.
Fighting Back
Tim Hessinger was a member of the Major Crimes Division before leaving a 15-year career with the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office. He and attorney Donald Kilfin (six years as a Pinellas County prosecutor) have handled major drug trafficking cases and all drug-related felonies.
Our accomplished lawyers can readily find the weaknesses in the evidence, whether the prosecution's case is based on an undercover sting, informants, a traffic stop or search warrant. We are proactive, working our relationships with prosecutors to prevent indictments or convince the state attorney to file lesser charges. We then press the court for dismissal of charges or suppression of evidence. All possible defenses are explored to fight the allegations or minimize the consequences.
- We aim to reduce drug trafficking charges to possession or obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Did police exceed authority in a wiretap or search? What kind of deal did their informant get for implicating you?
- On possession charges, we attack the probable cause for your arrest. Why were you stopped? Were all occupants of the vehicle charged? Were the drugs in plain view? Did you consent to be searched?
- If you have no priors for violent offenses, you may qualify for Drug Court ; charges are dismissed if you complete treatment and stay out of trouble. If you have an addiction and qualify for treatment, we can often avoid mandatory prison.
Free Consultation — Possession, Drug Trafficking, All Charges
Contact us 24/7 at (727) 896-1501 or by e-mail. Mr. Hessinger or Mr. Kilfin will sit down with you and discuss all your options, including the risks and rewards of going to trial.
Florida Drug Trafficking Penalties
§ 893.135: Trafficking, mandatory sentences; suspension or reduction of sentences; conspiracy to engage in trafficking:
CANNABIS (the following represent "Trafficking in cannabis", all of which are First Degree Felony Charges):
|
Charge |
Mandatory Minimum Sentence |
|
In excess of 25 but less than 2,000 pounds or 300 or more cannabis plants |
3 Years + $25,000 fine |
|
2,000 pounds but less than 10,000 pounds or is 2,000 or more cannabis plants |
7 Years + $50,000 fine |
|
10,000 pounds or more or is 10,000 or more cannabis plants |
15 Years + $200,000 fine |
COCAINE (the following represent "Trafficking in cocaine", all of which are First Degree Felony Charges):
|
Charge |
Mandatory Minimum Sentence |
|
28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams |
3 Years + $50,000 fine |
|
200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams |
7 Years + $100,000 fine |
|
400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms |
15 Years + $250,000 fine |
HEROIN (the following represent "Trafficking in heroin", all of which are First Degree Felony Charges):
|
Charge |
Mandatory Minimum Sentence |
|
4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams |
3 years + $50,000 fine |
|
14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams |
15 years + $100,000 fine |
|
28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms |
25 years + $500,000 fine |
