If the Court convicts you of possession or trafficking of carfentanil, you could face fines and even prison time. Florida treats possession and trafficking of fentanyl and all its derivatives as serious crimes with increased penalties over possession or sales of many other drugs. Carfentanil is the most common fentanyl analog in the U.S., and its abuse has reached epidemic levels in Florida and many other states.
Carfentanil is stronger than many other similar drugs and is intended for use as a tranquilizer in large animals. If you stand accused of possessing or trafficking the drug, we can help.
Let the Goldman Wetzel drug crime defense team review your case and put a strategy in place to fight the accusations against you. Call us today at 727-828-3900 for a free evaluation of your case.
Understanding a Carfentanil Trafficking Charge
Florida’s laws against fentanyl treat most analogs of the drug in the same way they handle fentanyl. This means possessing any amount of carfentanil is a felony. A possession charge, most likely to occur if you have less than four grams of carfentanil, is a Third Degree Felony.
You will likely face more serious trafficking charges if you had more than four grams of carfentanil when the police arrested you. This is true even if the full amount you carried was for personal use and you had no intention of selling it. If the State Attorney opts to indict you for drug trafficking and you get convicted, there is a mandatory minimum prison sentence for this charge.
Penalties for Conviction of Carfentanil Possession or Trafficking
If your conviction is for possession of carfentanil, this is a Third Degree Felony. You will face consequences that may include:
- Up to five years in prison; and
- Five years of probation; and
- A $5,000 fine; and
- A one-year driver’s license revocation as described in Florida Statute 322.055
While a felony conviction for possession can have a major impact on your life, the consequences of a trafficking conviction are much more serious. This is because the Florida mandatory minimum laws apply to a trafficking conviction. Drug trafficking is both a state and a federal crime. If they convict you of trafficking and you had between four and 14 grams of carfentanil in your possession at the time, you could face:
- Three to 30 years in prison; and
- A $50,000 fine
Fighting for a More Favorable Outcome in Your Florida Carfentanil Possession Case
We may be able to pursue a more favorable outcome in your Florida carfentanil possession or trafficking case. The facts of your case and the circumstances of your arrest will play a key role in our defense strategy, but our options include:
- Presenting evidence that clears your name before the State Attorney charges you
- Negotiating a plea deal to reduce the charges against you
- Requesting approval for a diversionary program that includes addiction treatment
If none of these options are possible or effective, we will continue to build a strong case to try to clear your name. Our arguments in court could include:
- The drugs did not belong to you, and you were unaware of them
- The police arrested the wrong person; it was a case of mistaken identity
- The police did not have probable cause to search for the drugs, meaning they violated your rights by conducting an unlawful search and seizure
- The police or investigators broke other laws when collecting evidence
Let Our Team Handle Your Carfentanil Possession or Trafficking Case
If the police allege you committed a Florida drug crime involving a fentanyl derivative, or if you already face an indictment, it is time to give us a call. Reach out to our team before you answer any questions or discuss your case with the police. We can go to work protecting your rights and building a strong defense strategy right away.
When you hire our firm to defend you against accusations or Florida drug charges, both of our principal attorneys will go to work on your case. When you hire one of us, you hire both. This allows to approach things from two different vantage points — one with experience in the District Attorney’s office and the other as a career defense attorney — and build a strong case for you.
Talk to a Florida Drug Possession Defense Attorney Today
If the police arrested you for carfentanil possession or on suspicion of trafficking a fentanyl analog, Goldman Wetzel can help. A drug charge defense lawyer can help. You do not want to try to navigate this process and fight this type of charge alone. Let us review your case for free and pursue a more favorable outcome for you.
Call 727-828-3900 today to get started.