What Should I Do If I’m Charged with Drug Trafficking in Florida?

If you’ve been charged with drug trafficking, then you’re in a precarious situation. Such charges are amongst the most serious you can face, often leading to extensive jail time, hefty fines, and a lengthy parole. Facing this laundry list of strict penalties, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure about your next actions.

In this article, we look at a few steps you should take after the arrest and explain how a criminal defense lawyer might be able to help you fight the charges.

What Is Drug Trafficking?

Under Florida’s laws, drug trafficking is defined as knowingly possessing or transporting an illegal substance with the intent to either sell or distribute. As such, if you are deemed to have manufactured, sold, or delivered drugs, you could face drug trafficking charges. However, even if you aren’t caught in the act, but are found carrying a high quantity of a particular banned substance, you may still be slapped with this serious charge.

Steps You Should Take after the Arrest

As a conviction for drug trafficking can result in strict punishments such as jail time, fines, and a permanent blackmark on your criminal record, it’s important to consider your next steps carefully. Any mistakes you make could hand ammunition to the prosecution making it easier for them to convict you.

Let’s look at a few actions you should take after an arrest:

• Stay Away from Social Media: While you might want to vent about the arresting officers’ actions or seek guidance and emotional support from friends and family online, discussing the arrest or your charges on social media could hurt your defense. The prosecution may be monitoring your online pages for any evidence to help strengthen the case against you, so every time you post you could be making it more challenging for yourself to fight the charges. It’s best to deactivate your accounts for the duration of proceedings.
• Preserve Important Evidence: From videos of the arrest to correspondence between you and the officers, there are many types of evidence that could help you build a strong defense. As such, you should make copies of such proof and compile it in a safe place ready to share with your attorney.
• Contact a Drug Crimes Attorney: A drug trafficking conviction could haunt you for the rest of your life, so it’s important to give yourself the best possible chance of having the penalties reduced or charges dismissed. A skilled criminal defense attorney can investigate the arrest, gather evidence to help dismantle the state’s case against you, and represent you throughout proceedings.

Discuss Your Situation with a Drug Crimes Attorney in Port St. Lucie, FL

Were you arrested and charged with drug trafficking? Todd A. Kawecki is a drug crimes lawyer who knows what it takes to prevail in even the most complex cases. He can assess your situation as part of a free consultation wherein he can answer your questions, explain your role throughout proceedings, and discuss how he plans to build your defense. To request a case review, dial 772-485-4500 or head over to our contact page HERE.