Miami Drug Crime Lawyer

MIAMI, FL DRUG CRIMES LAWYER

DEFENSE REPRESENTATION IN MIAMI, BROWARD COUNTY & PALM BEACH COUNTY

Drug crimes are among the most frequently prosecuted criminal offenses in Florida. These crimes can range from low-level misdemeanors based on simple possession of unlawful drugs to high-level federal felonies of interstate drug trafficking. In any drug-related criminal case, conviction can have a lasting effect on your life due to the criminal record you will have when seeking employment, housing, professional licenses, or advanced education. It can also have a negative impact on your immigration status if you are a noncitizen.

Prya Murad Law, PLLC, has defended many individuals facing all types of drug crime charges. Our Miami drug crimes attorney is backed by a successful background as a Public Defender who spent many years fighting for clients in criminal courts. When facing drug charges, whether at the state or federal level, you will benefit from this intensive experience, the skills, and dedication of Attorney Prya Murad. At our firm, you will be treated as the unique individual you are facing a difficult challenge as we work to help you achieve the best possible case result.

At Prya Murad Law, PLLC, we can review your case to determine if you are eligible for the drug court program and take steps to help you seek this alternative through the court. While this option isn’t offered to every defendant, seizing the opportunity to take advantage of this alternative to a standard penalty could significantly improve the outcome of your situation.

Request a personal consultation with our Miami drug offense lawyer by using our online contact form or by phone at (305) 393-0751. Get the legal counsel you need to better understand your drug charge and how Prya Murad Law, PLLC, can help. Hablamos español.

DRUG CHARGES IN MIAMI, FLORIDA

When you need to hire a private criminal defense attorney in Florida, it is vital to find a local defense lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours. You also need an attorney who knows how local prosecutors handle their cases and the unique variables you could face as your case unfolds.

Our firm handles all types of drug charges, involving illegal controlled substances and unauthorized prescription medicines. These can include:

• Drug possession. It is unlawful for anyone to possess any amount of an illicit substance on the Schedule of controlled substances. Florida acknowledges the federal-level drug scheduling used to classify most illegal substances. The penalty for possession of any amount of illegal drugs for personal use depends on the Schedule of the drug in question and the quantity. The defendant’s prior criminal record will also inform the outcome of their case.
• Possession with intent to sell. If you are arrested in possession of drugs and other paraphernalia that indicates you intended to sell the drugs in question, this will incur a much harsher penalty than simple possession. Similar to simple possession, the penalties for possession with intent to sell depend on the type and quantity in question.
• Sales and distribution. Some drug-selling networks are highly organized, and participating in any large-scale illegal drug operation can incur very serious penalties in Florida. It’s also possible for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act to come into play in cases like these.
• Manufacture. Some illegal drugs, such as crystal methamphetamine and crack cocaine, require specific chemical manufacturing processes to produce. If you are charged with participating in any drug manufacturing operation, it is very likely you will face a felony-level charge.
• Cultivation. It is illegal to grow cannabis plants, psilocybin, and other naturally occurring illegal drugs in Florida. Anyone convicted of illegal drug cultivation in Miami could face a third-degree felony charge with a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• Conspiracy. The RICO Act can apply whenever multiple individuals coordinate illegal efforts, usually for monetary gain. Drug trafficking, distribution, and sales operations are some of the most commonly cited criminal conspiracies in the country. When the RICO Act applies and one member of a conspiracy is charged with a felony, all other members could face the same charge.
• Drug paraphernalia possession. It is not only illegal to possess certain drugs in Florida, but also the paraphernalia used to consume them. Glass pipes and other paraphernalia can qualify for a first-degree misdemeanor charge in Florida with a potential sentence of up to one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine.
• Drug trafficking. Traveling with illicit drugs on your person or in your vehicle is a serious offense. In Florida, the penalties for trafficking apply when a suspect has transported illegal drugs across county lines. In the event a defendant has trafficked illegal drugs across state lines, the crime could qualify for prosecution in federal court.

Your charges will generally depend on the nature of the offense, the quantity of drugs found, whether minors were involved, whether deadly weapons were involved, and whether you have prior convictions. Drug crimes at the federal level are the most serious; these commonly involve large-scale drug operations and are punishable by federal prison sentences, heavy fines, and probation.

At the state level, you may also be facing jail or prison time, fines, and probation. However, Florida has established an alternative to first-offense nonviolent drug offenders that focuses on treating addiction as opposed to punishment through incarceration. This is known as “drug court.”

DRUG COURT FOR MIAMI, FL, DRUG CASE DEFENDANTS

Drug court is a voluntary program. It involves drug treatment through individual and group counseling, regular drug testing, and attendance at support meetings while also regularly meeting with your probation officer and before a judge for case reviews. Those who successfully complete the program can avoid jail time and may avoid convictions added to their criminal record.

If you struggle with a substance abuse disorder that has led to your arrest on drug charges in Miami, it is essential to have defense counsel you can trust to assist you in securing alternative sentencing. You can get the help you need and avoid the penalties typically associated with your offense with the right attorney’s assistance. However, it will be especially important for you to avoid committing similar offenses in the future if you successfully secure an alternative sentence in drug court.

DEFENDING YOURSELF AGAINST DRUG CHARGES IN MIAMI, FL

It can be daunting for anyone to face criminal charges for drug offenses in Florida. The state enforces very tough penalties for these crimes, many of which carry long-term or permanent implications for the lives of convicted defendants. If you were caught with illegal drugs of any kind in your possession, the available defenses in this situation are likely to be minimal at best. However, if you were wrongfully charged with a drug offense you did not actually commit, it is vital that you work closely with an experienced Miami drug crimes attorney to formulate an effective defense.

The prosecution has the burden of proving guilt in a criminal case by obtaining physical evidence and testimony from witnesses. It is your defense lawyer’s job to prevent them from accomplishing this by poking holes in their arguments and presenting contradictory evidence and testimony. Do not assume that since the prosecution has the burden of proving your guilt that you can be passive in your defense and hope their case unravels on its own. Your Miami drug crimes attorney can provide invaluable support and guidance when it comes to developing your defense.

It’s also vital to secure reliable defense counsel when you are facing multiple charges. For example, if you have been charged with a weapons violation or any violent offense in connection with the drug charge against you, you could face a severely increased penalty. If you have a record of prior convictions, this could automatically be grounds for the prosecution to seek increased penalties.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A MIAMI DRUG CRIME DEFENSE ATTORNEY

The right defense attorney can make a tremendous impact on your drug case in Miami, FL. Even if your situation seems desperate and hopeless and you’re worried about the potential penalties you face, legal counsel you can trust will enable you to approach your proceedings with a clearer understanding of the legal mechanisms in play in your case.

Attorney Prya Murad has extensive professional experience representing defendants in the Miami area charged with drug offenses. Our team has helped many past clients successfully navigate their cases and secure much better outcomes than they expected at the outsets of their proceedings. No attorney can ever promise a client a specific outcome to their case, but Prya Murad Law, PLLC, can ensure your case receives our team’s full attention and you have complete access to the breadth of our professional resources.

The sooner you connect with a Miami drug crimes attorney after arrest, the better your chances are of avoiding conviction or minimizing your penalty. If you are ready to start building your defense, Prya Murad Law, PLLC, can assist you. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with a Miami drug crimes attorney you can trust.