Florida takes drug crimes seriously, and a criminal conviction for drug use or possession can lead to serious punishment. Convictions for drug possession, trafficking, and use of drugs can lead to long prison terms, huge fines, and a damaging criminal record that can follow you for years. If you or a loved one faces a criminal charge related to drug possession in Polk County, Florida, you need experienced legal help.
Florida prosecutors will throw everything they have at you to obtain a conviction, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared. At Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, we will use our knowledge and experience to fight for your legal rights when you face a drug crime charge in the Polk County area. Contact our law office online today or call (863) 688-4606 to schedule your free consultation with a Polk County drug crimes lawyer.
How Thomas G. Grajek, Attorney at Law, Can Help if You Have Been Charged with a Drug Crime
If you have been charged with a drug offense in Polk County, Florida, you will face fear and uncertainty over what comes next. After all, drug charges in Florida carry the potential for long prison terms, hefty fines, and long-term damage to your career and family life. You want the best possible representation when your liberty is on the line. Our experienced team brings experience in drug crime cases to build your defense strategy and protect your interests during any drug-related prosecution against you.
When you hire our Polk County criminal defense attorney, we will do all of the following and more:
- Free initial consultation. Meet with an attorney who has a track record of success in defending clients against drug charges in Polk County. We will discuss the facts of your case, the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution’s case against you, and identify potential defense strategies. Through your risk-free initial consultation, you’ll gain a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works and what your rights are every step of the way.
- Case evaluation. Attorney Thomas C. Grajek will gather information and evidence about your claim to determine what kind of case the state might have. Using our comprehensive knowledge of Florida drug laws and experience in similar cases, we will develop a strong legal defense strategy on your behalf.
- Negotiation and advocacy for the client. We will know your Constitutional rights at every stage of the legal process and fight aggressively on your behalf. Your attorney will make the prosecution produce all evidence they claim to support their case and fight back against the charges. In drug crimes cases, evidence is sometimes obtained in violation of a defendant’s Constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. When this happens, evidence wrongfully obtained must be suppressed. Our lawyer will work hard to make sure your rights are protected, and evidence obtained unlawfully is not used against you.
- Trial representation. Criminal cases can often end in a plea agreement that is acceptable to both the prosecution and defense. If a plea agreement is not possible in your case, we will not hesitate to take your case to a jury trial and fight for your legal right to a fair trial.
Our Florida legal team is here to help you at every stage in a criminal prosecution for drug allegations. We will use our expansive understanding of Florida drug laws and criminal trial experience to fight back against the prosecution in your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Polk County Drug Crimes Lawyer?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in a Florida drug crime case will vary depending on different factors. Some of the factors affecting the cost of legal representation in a criminal defense case include:
- The complexity of the case: Cases involving extensive research, expert testimony, and volumes of evidence can require more work from your attorney than cases that are more straightforward. A case that is likely to result in a plea deal will also be less costly than one that might require a jury trial.
- Legal experience: A criminal defense attorney with more experience and expertise will usually charge a higher hourly rate and require a higher retainer than a less experienced lawyer. The benefit of paying more for a highly skilled lawyer can be tremendous, but the risk of hiring somebody less proven can be tremendous.
- Location: Criminal defense attorneys often charge different rates based on their geographic location. Lawyers in urban areas generally charge higher rates than their rural counterparts.
- The type of criminal charge: When you need an experienced lawyer to defend against multiple felony counts, for example, you might expect to pay more than you would to defend against a single misdemeanor charge. The charges involved and their potential consequences will play a role in your cost to hire a criminal defense attorney in Polk County, Florida.
While legal representation can be a significant investment, securing a skilled defense attorney can make a crucial difference in the outcome of your case.
Types of Drug Crimes in Florida
Florida law criminalizes different types of drug offenses within different categories. The nature of the charge and potential punishment can vary depending on the facts involved. Common categories of drug crimes in Florida include:
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a controlled substance is a common drug crime in Polk County, Florida. Those found in possession of any substance listed within Florida’s controlled substance law can find themselves charged with a crime. What does “possession” mean under the law? There are two types of possession when it comes to drugs and controlled substances.
Actual possession means that the substance was found on you or in your physical possession. Drugs found in a pocket, handbag, or other location within reach of a person could fall within actual possession.
Constructive possession is another way a person can be said to possess drugs. For constructive possession to apply, the controlled substance might not be on you but in an area where you know it is and have control over it. Controlled substances found within a drawer in your home, for example, could fall under the constructive possession category.
An experienced drug crimes lawyer will know how to fight allegations of either actual possession or constructive possession.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Even without drugs present, possession of drug paraphernalia involved with drug use can be a crime. Possession of pipes, syringes, scales, bongs, certain types of baggies, or other materials connected to drug use can land a person in legal trouble.
Possession with Intent to Distribute
A person can find themselves in significant legal trouble if law enforcement finds enough controlled substances that they believe the suspect planned to sell any of the drugs. Small amounts of drugs typically lead to standard possession charges. However, if a person is found with a significant amount of drugs, along with indicators of drug dealing activity (such as scales, baggies, large amounts of cash, etc.), the prosecution might file charges of possession with intent to distribute.
Under Florida law, the prosecution must prove the following two elements when charging possession with intent to distribute:
- The defendant willfully and knowingly possessed the substance in question;
- The defendant intended to distribute the substance in their possession.
An experienced Florida criminal defense attorney will know how to combat such charges. A skilled defense lawyer will fight hard to reduce the charge to simple possession, use of controlled substances or even have the charge dismissed completely.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking charges in Florida are incredibly severe and can carry the potential for years in prison. For a trafficking charge to apply, a significant amount of drugs must be found in a person’s possession. Typically, when the amount of drugs is in pounds rather than mere ounces, law enforcement might push for drug trafficking charges against the suspect.
If the narcotics are transported across state lines, federal charges and harsher consequences can come into play. To fight drug trafficking charges, a defense lawyer will look to attack the circumstances of a traffic stop and the link between the controlled substances and the accused suspect.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing charges apply when law enforcement finds evidence that a suspect possesses controlled substances and the ability to produce and manufacture the product. Examples can include marijuana grow operations, meth labs, and other sources of drug manufacturing. The penalties for drug manufacturing in Florida can be severe for those accused. Skilled legal help is required to fight back against allegations of manufacturing.
If you or someone close to you faces any type of drug crime allegation in Florida, it is critical to find a proven Florida drug crimes lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact a Polk County Drug Crimes Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been charged with any type of drug crime in Polk County, Florida, there is no time to waste before finding quality legal representation. Our dedicated Lakeland criminal defense lawyers can meet with you for a complete evaluation of your case at no cost to you. We will analyze the specifics of your situation, review your potential defenses, break down the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and build a case strategy for your defense. Contact Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, to schedule your free consultation with a Polk County drug crimes lawyer.