From simple possession to trafficking, drug charges carry consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. The firm defends them in Florida and Washington, D.C.
The substance involved, the quantity, and the alleged conduct all shape how a drug case is charged and what penalties apply.
Florida addresses most drug offenses in Section 893.13 of the Florida Statutes, which covers possession, sale, manufacture, and delivery. Depending on the substance and the amount, these offenses range from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. Separately, Section 893.135 defines trafficking, which is triggered by possession of specified quantities and carries mandatory minimum prison sentences and large fines that increase with the amount involved.
Because trafficking is defined by weight rather than by any proof of selling, a person can face a trafficking charge for possession alone once a threshold quantity is reached. Understanding exactly what substance and quantity the state alleges is the starting point of the defense.
The District of Columbia sets out drug offenses in Section 48-904.01 of the D.C. Code. The District distinguishes between simple possession and the more serious offenses of manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Penalties depend on the schedule of the substance and the nature of the conduct, and distribution offenses carry significantly greater exposure than possession.
The District's treatment of marijuana differs from many other substances, and the interaction between local law and federal enforcement in the District can be significant. The firm evaluates which body of law applies and where the case is most vulnerable.
Drug cases frequently turn on the search and seizure that produced the evidence. Was the stop lawful? Was there a valid warrant, or a recognized exception? Was the search of a vehicle, home, or person conducted within constitutional limits? When evidence is obtained unlawfully, a motion to suppress can remove the foundation of the prosecution's case.
Alec Kohn prosecuted cases in Miami-Dade before founding the firm, and he brings that perspective to how drug files are built and challenged. You work directly with the attorney handling your case, and the firm is available 24 hours a day.
The figures on this page are drawn from the following primary and secondary sources. Statutes and penalties change; this summary is reviewed by the firm and is not a substitute for legal advice on your specific matter.
