Jansen & Davis, P.A.| Tallahassee Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Aggressive Defense For Drug Charges In Tallahassee

Last updated on May 6, 2025

A drug conviction can happen quickly and will have very lasting effects on someone’s life. The state of Florida does not take these crimes lightly and, in many cases, seeks to make examples out of individuals they believe to have contributed to the national drug problem. In order to fight these charges and protect your future, you need strong criminal defense representation.

At Jansen & Davis, P.A., our Tallahassee drug crime attorneys have over 70 years of combined legal experience and the extensive training needed to undertake defense of a wide variety of drug charges. Our primary objective is to get your charges reduced or dismissed completely in Florida.

From Misdemeanors To Felonies: The Spectrum Of Drug Charges

Our firm defends clients accused of many types of drug charges. Our Tallahassee drug lawyers also work with students and minors involved in college crimes and juvenile crimes related to the use or possession of illegal substances in Florida.

Drug Possession

Many people assume that drug possession is not as serious as other drug crimes. This is simply not true. Possession of an illegal drug is a serious crime in Florida – one that can land you behind bars and cost you thousands of dollars in fines.

The penalties for drug possession depend on both the type of drugs in your possession, and the quantity of drugs in your possession. While possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor, possession of more than 10 grams of cocaine is a serious felony. Certain factors will also enhance your penalties, such as:

  • Having drugs in your possession with intent to sell
  • Having drugs in your possession in a school zone
  • Having drugs in your possession with intent to sell or distribute to a minor

As a result, penalties could range from one year in prison and a $1,000 fine to up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 maximum fine.

Drug Distribution

It is a crime in the state of Florida to intentionally distribute an illegal drug. It is also a criminal offense to distribute drug paraphernalia, such as hypodermic syringes, needles or other objects that someone can use to inject drugs into the body.

Depending on the nature of the offense, a person may face imprisonment, large fines, community service, probation, mandatory drug counseling and more. However, certain circumstances will enhance the penalties. These include distributing drugs to minors, distributing drugs in or around a school zone or distributing large quantities of drugs, which may also result in drug trafficking charges.

If you face drug distribution charges, it is crucial to obtain experienced and aggressive defense representation as soon as possible. By working with a skilled Tallahassee drug distribution defense attorney, you will have a much better chance of beating your charges and avoiding a life-altering conviction.

Drug Trafficking

The authorities will charge a person with drug trafficking if they intentionally import, sell, purchase, manufacture, deliver or bring an illegal drug, substance, or narcotic into the state of Florida.

While trafficking any type of drug is illegal, the penalties for drug trafficking depend on the type and quantity of drugs involved in the charges. Some of the penalties for drug trafficking in Florida are as follows:

  • 25 to 2,000 lbs. of cannabis: three years in prison and a $25,000 fine
  • 2,000 to 10,000 lbs. of cannabis: seven years in prison and a $50,000 fine
  • 10,000 lbs. of cannabis or more: 15 years in prison and a $200,000
  • 28 grams to 150 kilograms of cocaine: 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
  • 28 to 200 grams of cocaine: three years in prison and a $50,000 fine
  • 200 to 400 grams of cocaine: seven years in prison and a $100,000 fine
  • 400 grams but less than 140 kilograms of cocaine: 15 years and a $250,000 fine
  • 150 kilograms of cocaine or more: life in prison
  • 4 to 14 grams of heroin: three years in prison and a $5,000 fine
  • 14 to 28 grams of heroin: 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine
  • 28 grams to 30 kilograms of heroin: 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine
  • 30 kilograms of heroin or more: life in prison

If you face these charges, it is imperative that you speak with a highly skilled Tallahassee drug trafficking attorney. They can provide you with the aggressive defense and dedicated representation you need to fight these serious charges.

Drug Manufacturing

Florida law defines drug manufacturing as the crime of intentionally creating or producing an illegal substance through a chemical process. These charges can involve substances like methamphetamine, fentanyl or LSD.

Drug manufacturing is a felony crime, and penalties can involve fines, imprisonment, probation, community service and mandatory drug treatment. The lowest offenses could lead to up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, but the exact penalties in your case will depend on the amount of drugs and type of drugs involved. Penalties can also increase if a minor assisted with the manufacturing process or if someone suffered injuries because of the manufacturing.

If you have been accused or charged with drug manufacturing in Tallahassee, the police may raid your property in search of evidence, and you will likely face rigorous questioning and intense prosecution during the criminal process. Having a highly skilled Tallahassee drug manufacturing defense lawyer working on your behalf will ensure you have the protection you need against the prosecution.

Drug Cultivation

Florida has historically been steadfast in its refusal to decriminalize marijuana and has given harsh penalties to those found using the substance. Marijuana is now legal in the state for medicinal purposes only, meaning that an individual needs credentialed permission to use it medically, and outside of that institution, it is still illegal. The state of Florida will still crack down hard on those who illegally cultivate the substance.

Depending on the circumstances, cultivation charges could be third, second or first degree felonies depending on the number of plants involved. Penalties can range from five to 15 years in prison, but if a minor lived at the cultivation site the penalties further increase to up to 30 years in prison.

Prescription Fraud

Any person who intentionally uses false or deceptive means to obtain a prescription drug for profit or recreational purposes can face charges of prescription fraud. This can include:

  • Altering a prescription in any way
  • Increasing the dosage of a prescription
  • Forging a prescription
  • Using a false identity to obtain another person’s prescription
  • Filling the same prescription at multiple pharmacies
  • Posing as a doctor to issue a prescription
  • Posing as a pharmacist to fill a fraudulent prescription

The authorities can also charge doctors or pharmacists with prescription fraud charges if they knowingly alter or issue a prescription to someone without a valid medical condition.

A prescription drug fraud can result in prison, large fines, probation and more. A pharmacist or a physician convicted of prescription fraud could also lose their professional license, which can impact their reputation, career and livelihood. This makes it especially important to have experienced representation.

There May Be Alternatives To Criminal Charges In Drug Cases

Since the late 1980s, numerous drug courts have been established throughout Florida, offering an alternative to traditional incarceration. The purpose of the alternative sentencing program is to provide drug offenders with the counseling, treatment, education and resources they need to break their addiction and dependence on drugs. They then are less likely to commit another drug crime in the future.

Alternative sentencing is a popular option in misdemeanor and first-time drug offender cases. Instead of serving time in jail for their crimes, a judge may grant an offender permission to attend a 12-month program where they will receive treatment for their drug dependency. They may also need to submit to regular drug testing and appear in court throughout the year so a judge can monitor their progress.

If an individual successfully completes the program, the court may set their conviction aside or significantly reduce their charges. In this case, the accused may be able to avoid jail time altogether. An experienced attorney at our firm may be able to help you obtain an alternative sentence so that you do not face the harsh jail sentence that generally comes with a drug crime conviction.

To learn if you qualify for an alternative sentence through the drug courts, it’s best to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced Tallahassee drug crimes attorney. With more than 70 combined years of experience, the attorneys at the law offices of Jansen & Davis, P.A., are familiar with the alternative sentencing programs in Florida and have helped many clients avoid prison and other serious penalties by enrolling them in drug treatment programs through the court.

Drug Crime FAQ: What Should I Know About Drug Crimes?

Drug crimes can lead to life-altering criminal consequences, including fines, incarceration and a lifetime criminal record. You need to take an aggressive approach to your case. Jansen & Davis, P.A., is a long-standing Florida law firm. Moreover, we have a history of successful representation with thousands of acquittals. Our attorneys can give you the fierce representation and personalized approach you deserve.

We urge you to come into our office for a complete case evaluation. Below are some of our most frequently asked questions about drug crimes.

As a parent with a child in college or newly in the labor force, you are in a new position. Rather than intervening actively on their behalf, you now can only offer them resources and make options available to them. We encourage you to bring your adult child to our office or to speak to us about how we can support them in the wake of drug allegations. We are also happy to go over their options with them and explain the severity of their situation.
Drug charges vary in severity based on what substance the alleged perpetrator had in their possession, how much of the substance they had, what they intended to do with the substance and whether they have an existing criminal record. If you face charges for possession of a large quantity of a substance, possession of any quantity of a schedule I controlled substance, intent to sell or intent to manufacture, you should reach out immediately.
Possibly. We can explore several options as a part of your case that may preempt or otherwise eliminate the need for trial and conviction. This will depend on factors like the details of the alleged crime, whether you have a prior conviction and you meet requirements for court-approved programs. First-time offenders, such as college students, are often very good candidates for this route.
The U.S. Constitution forbids the police from performing unreasonable searches and seizures. This is typically taught as the need for a warrant. However, most police searches and arrests are based on “probable cause,” which requires the police to have a compelling reason to believe that a crime is taking place.

Additionally, police can legally search your property if they have your consent. When police ask to enter your home or search your vehicle, you should always say no or ask for a warrant. Once you give permission, they can use anything they find against you.

Probable cause does have limits. If the police search your home or property without probable cause, without a warrant and without your permission, they may have violated your rights.

A guilty plea may be a good option in your case, but you should never accept one without getting qualified legal advice from a criminal defense attorney with experience.

Fighting Drug Charges Can Begin With A Free Consultation

Drug charges can change your life, but you do not have to protect your rights and your future alone. Building a strong defense with Jansen & Davis, P.A., begins with a no-cost consultation with a member of our team. Contact our firm online or call 850-641-8739 to get started.