If you have been arrested for a drug crime in Orlando, FL you need to contact a lawyer to represent you. Our lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience successfully litigating these types of cases. We are open 24/7, give us a call today for a free consultation, or fill out the contact form on this page.
Drug laws in Florida
To be charged with possession would mean that you had a controlled substance in your possession illegally. Drug trafficking is a more serious offense. It is the offense of illegally selling, transporting or importing drugs. The Controlled Substance Act states which drugs are illegal to sell, produce, distribute, and possess. Depending on how much you have on hand, your penalties may vary and can range between 5 years to a possible life sentence.
Drug Schedules
Schedule I: These are drugs that do not serve any medical use and have a high potential for drug abuse. Examples would be heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
Schedule II: Substances, drugs, or chemicals that can lead to psychological or physical dependence. These drugs have a high potential for drug abuse. Examples would be cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
Schedule III: Drugs, chemicals, or substances that have moderate to low potential for psychological or physical dependence. These drugs have a moderate potential to lead to drug abuse. Examples would be anabolic steroids, ketamine, and codeine.
Schedule IV: Chemicals, drugs, or chemicals that have a low potential for any kind of dependency. These drugs also have a low to moderate chance of abuse. Examples would be Xanax, valium, and soma.
Schedule V: Substances, drugs, or chemicals that have the lowest potential for creating dependency. These drugs normally contain some type of narcotic. Examples would be Robitussin, Lyrica, and Parepectolin.
Penalties
Depending on the type of drug offense the charges and penalties may vary. Drug possession is a misdemeanor offense and can lead to a small fine or a few days in jail. Drug trafficking is a first-degree felony for both state and federal charges. The maximum prison sentence is 40 years.
Listed below are the federal penalties for drug trafficking
- 10 years to life in prison for
- 1 kilogram or more of heroin
- 5 kilograms or more of cocaine
- 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana
- 280 grams or more of a mixture of substances that contain cocaine
- 100 grams or more of phencyclidine (PCP)
- 1 kilogram or more of a mixture of substances that contains a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP)
- 10 grams or more of a mixture of substances containing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propenamide
- 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, its isomers, salts, and salts of its isomers
- 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance that contains a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its isomers, salts, or salts of its isomers.
- 5 to 40 years for
- 100 grams of heroin
- 500 grams of cocaine
- 28 grams or more of a substance containing cocaine
- 10 grams or more of phencyclidine PCP
- 100 grams or more of a mixture containing PCP
- 1 gram or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- 100 kilograms of marijuana
- 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, its isomers, salts, and salts of its isomers
- 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propenamide
- Not more than 5 years for 50 kilograms of marijuana
If you or your loved one find themselves in a situation where you are being accused of Drug Crime, call us right away at 407-930-8912 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Orlando location, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:
- Daytona Beach
- Kissimmee
- Melbourne
- Lakeland
- Ocala
- Tampa
- Fort Myers
- Sanford
- Miami
- Jacksonville
- Fort Lauderdale
- Sarasota
- Clearwater
*Additional Orlando Florida & Orange County Legal Resources