When authorities accuse you of a crime, your life can change considerably from that moment. Even if you do your best to defend against charges, the accusations could follow you for years to come. If the allegations are particularly serious, you could face a number of difficult obstacles ahead of you as you work through your case.
If investigators believe that you had some sort of involvement in crimes involving cocaine, you are in a serious predicament. You can face severe charges and possible consequences if convicted of any cocaine-related allegation in Florida. Therefore, you may want to understand some information regarding such charges.
Charges and possible consequences
Depending on the type of crime suspected, the exact charges and possible consequences differ. Both state and Federal laws regulate cocaine-related activity, which means that any conviction for a cocaine-related crime could come with hefty penalties. Some examples of charges and penalties include the following:
- Possession: Cocaine possession is considered a third-degree felony. If police accuse you of possession of 28 grams or more of cocaine, you will also face a first-degree felony charge for trafficking.
- Sale or distribution: Selling or distributing cocaine is a second-degree felony, and the penalties could increase if the distribution took place near school property.
- Trafficking 28 to 200 grams: As mentioned, 28 grams of cocaine leads to a first-degree trafficking charge, and a conviction for 28 to 200 grams could result in three years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
- Trafficking 200 to 400 grams: If police accuse you of trafficking 200 to 400 grams of cocaine, you could face up to 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted.
- Trafficking 400 grams to 150+ kilograms: Allegedly trafficking 400 grams to 150 kilograms of cocaine could lead to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine after a conviction. Any amount over 150 kilograms could lead to life in prison.
Of course, the specific details of your case could impact charges and possible consequences. For instance, in Florida, you may qualify for a diversion program if you are a first-time offender and only had a small amount of cocaine in your possession.
Your defense
No matter the circumstances of your situation, you have the right to defend against any cocaine-related charges authorities bring against you. You may certainly feel overwhelmed by your predicament, but fortunately, you do not have to work alone. You can enlist the help of an experienced attorney who could guide you through your criminal case.
