as a Former Prosecutor Specialized in Criminal Defense
St. Petersburg Drug Trafficking Lawyer
Florida Drug Trafficking Laws
The state of Florida aggressively prosecutes individuals accused of drug trafficking. Law enforcement agencies have drug crime units or joint task forces that specifically target drug trafficking. Under Florida law, Drug Trafficking is a first degree felony with severe mandatory minimum penalties (up to 30 years in prison). This means your future is at risk and a criminal defense attorney can help prevent the worst.
At The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger you will be represented by a former prosecutor who knows the law and know how to attack the government's case. If you were arrested for drug trafficking or face a drug trafficking investigation, contact us immediately.
The following are several reasons why you should hire our drug trafficking lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL:
- Attorney Hessinger can help construct a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to the unique facts of your case.
- He has the experience and knowledge of criminal laws, procedures, and evidence that you may not be aware of.
- He can assist in negotiating plea deals with prosecutors or mitigating sentences, if found guilty.
- He will advise you on potential legal challenges related to illegal search warrant, police entrapment, or coerced confessions.
- If a trial is necessary, he will use his courtroom skills to effectively represent you in court and present relevant evidence on your behalf.
Contact us today to work with a St. Petersburg drug trafficking attorney!
Drug Trafficking Defense
Attorney Tim Hessinger uses his knowledge of the prosecution process and legal experience to defend trafficking cases. Our team seeks to reduce trafficking charges to possession or obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. To do this, we ask questions such as: Did police exceed authority in a wiretap or search? What kind of deal did their informant get for implicating you? Was your conduct justifiable or excusable? If the government used a confidential informant to entrap you into committing a drug trafficking act, you may have an entrapment defense.
Mandatory Minimum Sentences
State drug trafficking laws impose mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking offenses involving drugs such as cannabis (marijuana), cocaine, and heroin. These sentences are laid out below, and can range from 3 years in prison to 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.
The total discretion to reduce your sentence from the mandatory minimum is with the state attorney. This means that you cannot ask the court to reduce your sentence — the court's hands are tied. Our drug trafficking defense attorney is a former prosecutor. We understand how prosecutors prepare their cases and what evidence they need to reduce mandatory minimum sentences. We work with the state attorney's office to negotiate an alternative for our clients.
Drug Trafficking and Prescription Pills
Trafficking of controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin lead to serious penalties. However, trafficking in prescription medication can also lead to many years in prison and large fines. Even if you only had five pills in your possession, you can be charged with drug trafficking. The government does not need to show proof of sale of the prescription drugs — just possession.
For example, possessing five OxyCodone pills (4.26 grams) carries a three year minimum mandatory sentence, while 33 OxyCodone pills can lead to 25 years in jail. Other commonly "trafficked" prescription medications include Vicodin (Hydrocodone), opium, morphine, Valium (Benzodiazepines), Ritalin (Methylphenidates) and Amphetamines.
Free Consultation — Drug Trafficking Defense
Our Florida drug trafficking defense attorney will sit down with you and discuss all of your options, including the risks and rewards of going to trial for drug trafficking.
Call us 24 hours a day at (888) 863-7415 or send us an e-mail.
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 In excess of 25 but less than 2,000 pounds or 300 or more cannabis plants 2,000 pounds but less than 10,000 pounds or is 2,000 or more cannabis plants 10,000 pounds or more or is 10,000 or more cannabis plants | Mandatory Minimum Sentence 3 Years + $25,000 fine 7 Years + $50,000 fine 15 Years + $200,000 fine |
COCAINE (the following represent "Trafficking in cocaine," all of which are First Degree Felony Charges):
Charge 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms | Mandatory Minimum Sentence 3 Years + $50,000 fine 7 Years + $100,000 fine |
HEROIN (the following represent "Trafficking in heroin," all of which are First Degree Felony Charges):
Charge 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms | Mandatory Minimum Sentence 3 Years + $50,000 fine 15 Years + $100,000 fine |
Call our St. Petersburg drug trafficking lawyer today at (888) 863-7415 and learn how we can help you!
Our Settlements & Verdicts
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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All charges dropped. 2 Counts Battery
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Reduced to 3 Counts. Wh/Adj 3 years probation. 5 Counts Possession of Child Pornography
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Reduced to 2 counts. Wh/Adj and probation. 9 Counts - Possession of Child Pornography.
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Not Guilty after Jury Trial Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
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All charges Dropped. Aggravated Assault With Motor Vehicle
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Reduced to Felony Battery, dismissed, sealed. Aggravated Battery
Why Choose The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger?
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15 years experience in the State Attorney's office
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Confidential, complimentary initial consultations
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Accepting calls and cases 24 hours a day
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Exclusively devoted to criminal defense
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Tried Over 140 Jury Trials
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Impressive track record of charge reductions, acquittals, and dismissals