Managing Partner
Drug Crime Lawyers Near You in Orlando, FL
Expert Drug Crime Defense Legal Representation in Florida
✓ Free Consultation 24/7
✓ Offices Throughout Florida
✓ Former Prosecutors
✓ Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
✓ Payment Plans Available
If you or a loved one are facing drug charges in Florida, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side immediately. Drug convictions carry life-altering consequences — prison time, license suspension, loss of employment, and a permanent criminal record. At Smith & Eulo, our drug crime lawyers have successfully defended thousands of clients across Florida against charges ranging from simple possession to federal drug trafficking. We know the law, we know the courts, and we fight hard to protect your freedom.
What Happens After a Drug Arrest
1. Arrest
Detained, searched, and arrested on drug charges
2. Booking
Taken to jail, fingerprinted, photographed, and processed
3. Bond Hearing
Judge sets bail based on charges, history, and flight risk
4. Arraignment
First court appearance where you enter a plea
5. Negotiation
Your attorney challenges evidence and negotiates with prosecutors
6. Trial or Dismissal
Case may be dismissed, resolved through plea, or go to trial
How We Defend Drug Cases
Illegal Search & Seizure
If police searched you without a warrant or probable cause, evidence may be suppressed.
Unlawful Traffic Stop
Police must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. Unlawful stops can invalidate all evidence.
Chain of Custody Issues
We challenge lab testing procedures, evidence handling, and chain of custody documentation.
Entrapment
If law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t otherwise have committed.
Lack of Knowledge
Prosecutors must prove you knew the substance was present and illegal.
Suppression Motions
We file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, often leading to dismissal.
Drug Crime Penalties in Florida
Simple Possession
Misdemeanor to 3rd degree felony | Up to 5 years prison | Fines up to $5,000
Possession with Intent
2nd or 3rd degree felony | Up to 15 years prison | Fines up to $10,000
Drug Trafficking
1st degree felony | Mandatory minimum sentences | Fines up to $500,000
Drug Manufacturing
2nd or 1st degree felony | Up to 30 years prison | Driver’s license suspension
Florida Drug Laws
Florida Statute 893
Florida’s Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act governs all drug offenses.
Controlled Substance Schedules
Florida classifies drugs into 5 schedules. Schedule I (heroin, LSD) carries the harshest penalties.
Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Drug trafficking triggers mandatory minimums that judges cannot reduce below without a motion.
Drug Court Programs
First-time offenders may qualify for drug court diversion programs to avoid conviction.
Counties We Serve
Orange County
Orlando, Winter Park, and surrounding areas.
Hillsborough County
Tampa and Tampa Bay area courts.
Seminole County
Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Lake Mary.
Osceola County
Kissimmee and Osceola County courts.
Polk County
Lakeland, Winter Haven, and surrounding areas.
Brevard County
Melbourne, Cocoa, and Space Coast.
Meet Your Drug Defense Team
What Our Clients Say
Why Choose Smith & Eulo?
20+ Attorneys – Full team of experienced criminal defense lawyers
15+ Florida Offices – Serving defendants throughout the state
Thousands of Cases Handled – Decades of combined experience
Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer – Recognized expertise in criminal law
Available 24/7 – We answer when you need us most
Case Results
Charges Dismissed – Evidence suppressed due to illegal search and seizure
Trafficking Reduced – Trafficking charge reduced to possession saving client from mandatory minimum
Drug Court Diversion – Client entered diversion program avoiding conviction entirely
500+ Drug Cases – Successfully resolved throughout Florida
Consequences Beyond Court
Employment: Drug convictions appear on background checks and can cost you your job.
Professional Licenses: Nurses, teachers, lawyers, and other licensed professionals face board action.
Immigration: Drug convictions are deportable offenses for non-citizens.
Driver’s License: Florida suspends your license for drug convictions, even unrelated to driving.
Financial Aid: Drug convictions can affect federal student loan eligibility.
Related Charges
Drug charges often come with related offenses. We defend against all of them:
Paraphernalia Possession – Pipes, syringes, scales, and other items
Money Laundering – Financial crimes tied to drug proceeds
Weapons Charges – Firearms found alongside drugs carry enhanced penalties
DUI Drug – Driving under the influence of controlled substances
Federal Drug Charges – When charges cross state lines or involve federal agencies
Ultimate Drug Crime FAQ
Yes. Drug charges are frequently dismissed when evidence is suppressed due to illegal searches, improper police procedures, or chain of custody issues. An experienced drug defense attorney will review every aspect of your arrest to identify grounds for dismissal.
In Florida, drug trafficking is determined by the weight or quantity of the drug — not whether you intended to sell it. Possessing more than a threshold amount automatically triggers trafficking charges with mandatory minimum sentences, regardless of intent.
Not necessarily. First-time offenders may qualify for drug court diversion, probation, or other alternatives to incarceration. The outcome depends on the type and quantity of drug, your criminal history, and the quality of your legal defense.
Possibly. If adjudication was withheld and you completed probation, you may be eligible for expungement or sealing. A conviction where you were found or pled guilty typically cannot be expunged. Our attorneys can evaluate your eligibility.
Police can search your vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause, your consent, or if drugs are in plain view. You have the right to refuse consent to a search. Never physically resist, but clearly state you do not consent. Any illegal search may result in evidence suppression.
Constructive possession — where drugs are found in a shared space — requires the state to prove you knew about the drugs and had control over them. This is often difficult to prove and is a strong defense strategy we use frequently.
Yes. Drug offenses are among the most serious immigration consequences in criminal law. Even a simple possession charge can trigger deportation proceedings, denial of green cards, or bars to citizenship for non-citizens. Consult an attorney immediately.
Facing Drug Charges? Call Us Now.
Don’t face drug charges alone. Call us right away. Available 24/7, free consultation, and payment plans available.
What To Do Right Now
Don’t plead guilty yet. Many drug charges can be dismissed or reduced.
Stay silent. Do not speak to police without an attorney present.
Write everything down. Document the arrest details while they’re fresh.
Call us immediately. Early legal intervention makes the biggest difference.
Related Resources
Florida Drug Schedules Explained – What each schedule means for your case
Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimums – Understanding threshold quantities
Drug Court in Florida – Is diversion an option for you?
Search & Seizure Rights – Know your 4th Amendment protections
Drug Charges & Immigration – Critical info for non-citizens
