Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer Dale Carson can Protect Your Rights Against Drug Charges
Since 2001 Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer, Dale Carson, has been defending the rights of people charged with various drug crimes. With more than 40 years of experience in law AND law enforcement, Mr. Carson knows all the tricks law enforcement agencies use. Including ways to get “confessions” and evidence for a case they could not prove before. It does not matter if the charges involve street drugs or prescription drugs. Cops take advantage of clueless, talkative criminals in order to bolster their cases. Protect your rights and make sure you have an attorney with you any time you talk to cops. Otherwise, you are putting your rights in jeopardy. In Jacksonville, criminal defense lawyer Dale Carson can help protect your rights against drug trafficking and other drug-related charges.
Get More Drug Crime Information
To get specific information about potential penalties for drug crime allegations, please read these articles from Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Some Things to Know About Drug Crimes and Associated Penalties
The articles linked above contain sentencing and other information specific to certain charges. But, anyone charged with a drug crime of any sort should be aware of the following:
- Possession can equal trafficking. Just having certain amounts of drugs in your possession (on you personally, in your car, in your home, etc.) automatically results in a trafficking charge. Police do not need to prove you were actually selling the drugs. Additionally, you can see more about this in the Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy article.
- Selling near a school boosts penalties. If police can prove you were selling or delivering drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, college, public park, public housing, daycare center or church, up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 can be added to your sentence—even for misdemeanor quantities of drugs
- Repeat convictions can increase sentences.
What to Expect if Convicted Previously for Drug Crimes
If you have been convicted of drug crimes previously, your potential sentence is likely to be harsher the next time. Judges are often lenient with first-time offenders. Federal charges yield more severe sentences. The federal minimum prison sentence for having 1,000 marijuana plants is 10 years—more than three times the state minimum sentence for the same number of plants. If you are charged in a federal court, get a lawyer as fast as you can. Conviction also results in driver’s license suspension. Florida requires suspension of a person’s driver’s license for any drug conviction. Suspension can be from 6 months to 2 years. Trafficking convictions can also result in forfeiture of property. Beyond prison time and fines, convictions in serious drug crimes can also result in the forfeiture of homes, cars, money, or any other property police believe is associated with the alleged drug business. Conspiracy adds to the sentence. If you are charged with selling or distributing drugs on behalf of a gang or criminal organization—or if you conspired with others to sell or distribute drugs, the possible sentence is likely to be more severe.
Defense Against Drug Trafficking and Possession Charges, Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer Dale Carson Explains
There are several strategies for weakening a prosecutor’s trafficking or possession case. As a former law enforcement officer for both Florida and federal agencies, Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer Dale Carson knows where mistakes most often occur and how to exploit those in court to overturn charges.
Discuss Your Drug Trafficking and Possession Charges for Free with Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer Dale Carson
In conclusion, if you have been charged with drug trafficking or possession of drugs, involving either street drugs or prescription drugs, you need to speak with a lawyer. Dale Carson can give you an initial consultation for free and help you determine the severity of your case and your rights. To schedule a free consultation with a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer go to our Complimentary Consults page. Or call Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer Dale Carson today at 904-355-6777.