Our law firm’s Fort Pierce FL criminal lawyer, discusses Fort Pierce cocaine trafficking charges. Most of Florida’s drug charges result in mandatory or minimum sentences that involve prison.
COCAINE TRAFFICKING PENALTIES IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA
Cocaine is labeled as a schedule I substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and is not currently accepted for medical use in the U.S. See Florida Statutes Section 893.01. The charges for trafficking cocaine are as follows:
- 28-199 grams: 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
- 200-399 grams: 7 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.
- 400 grams to 15 kg: A minimum of 15 years in prison and $250,000 fines.
- More than 150 kg or more may result in life in prison with no option for early release.
It is important to note that under Florida Statute 893.135(6) the weights above include the total weight of the cocaine itself and the weight of any mixing agent or material.
DETERMINING IF THE COCAINE CHARGE IS A FELONY
The way a case is charged depends on the circumstances regarding the weight of the substances and by evaluating factors around the discovery, such as:
- The amount of money and denominations of bills found on your person at the time of your arrest.
- The presence of any scales.
- The presence and size bags oftentimes used with cocaine distribution.
- The presence of any weapons at the time of your arrest.
WHAT THE FORT PIERCE FLORIDA PROSECUTOR MUST PROVE FOR A COCAINE TRAFFICKING CONVICTION
The Assistant State Attorney trying your case must prove its case before a jury at the St. Lucie County Courthouse. To prove the crime of cocaine trafficking, the Prosecutor must prove the following:
That you knowingly, sold, purchases manufactured, delivered, brought into Florida; or possessed a certain substance.
That the substance you sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, brought into Florida or possessed was cocaine; and
The cocaine (including any mixing agent or material) weighed more than 28 grams.
If the State is able to prove these elements beyond a reasonable doubt you, you may be convicted of cocaine trafficking and face the mandatory time in prison mentioned above.
Call our Fort Pierce cocaine trafficking criminal defense attorney, Christian Van Riper, for free day or night. Christian is a former St. Lucie County prosecutor. He strives to outwork the proscutors and fights for your rights under the law. Call Christian 24/7 at 772-283-8712 for free to discuss further Fort Pierce cocaine trafficking charges and defenses. Christian is also our lead DUI defense attorney.