Criminal Defense Attorney • Jacksonville, Florida
Drug Charges • Possession • Sale • Manufacture • Trafficking • Importation
If you have been or think you are about to be charged with a drug crime, you need aggressive legal representation. Criminal defense attorney James A. Hernandez in Jacksonville, Florida, has been practicing law since 1986 and counsels clients at both the state and federal levels in crimes related to the possession, manufacture, sales, distribution, importation, or trafficking of all types of drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine / meth, ecstasy (“X” or “XTC”), and others. When you contact drug crime lawyer James A. Hernandez, you will get straight-forward, comprehensive legal advice from a Florida attorney who is a former federal prosecutor and a retired lieutenant colonel of the Marine Corps.
To learn more about how the Jacksonville, Florida, law firm of James A. Hernandez can help you if you have been charged with a drug crime, contact the drug defense attorney today. Whether your drug allegation is charged as a state drug offense, such as possession, manufacture, or sale, or a federal drug offense, such as trafficking or importation, you can trust that you will be getting effective, results-oriented criminal defense when you call the Law Firm of James A. Hernandez. From his law office in Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Hernandez represents clients before the Middle District of Florida federal courts and state courts in such communities as Gainesville, Ocala, and Tallahassee, as well as clients from any branch of the military.
James A. Hernandez
233 East Bay Street
Suite 1133
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 354-4499
Fax: (904) 354-4403
Email: lawjimhernandez@aol.com
Representing clients throughout the communities of Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Tallahassee, and Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay, and Baker counties in all state, federal and military courts, including the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Representing federal clients within the Middle District of Florida. Representing military clients worldwide.
Drug crimes cover a broad range of offenses involving controlled substances, from possession and sale to manufacture and distribution. These crimes involve violations of federal or state law, or both. Depending on the particular circumstances of a case, these offenses can result in a broad range of potential criminal and administrative consequences, including probation, prison, property forfeiture and participation in a court-ordered drug treatment program.
Though more severe charges typically result in harsher penalties, even less serious charges, such as possession of a small amount of a controlled substance, may have severe consequences, especially if prior convictions, firearms, activity near protected zones (e.g., schools and parks), or minors are involved.
If you have been charged with a drug crime, consult an experienced criminal defense attorney at our firm to discuss your legal options.
Federal and State Drug Laws
The federal government has exercised control over the importation and manufacture of drugs since the mid-1800s. In 1970, Congress passed the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, which took the place of numerous existing drug laws and classified controlled substances into five categories (Schedules I to V), based on their abuse and addiction potential compared to their therapeutic value. Also known as the Controlled Substances Act, this law established regulatory requirements, enforcement mechanisms and penalties for the unauthorized manufacture, distribution or possession of controlled substances.
The most severe penalties involve drugs listed in Schedule I, with the least severe involving Schedule V. Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, and include heroin, LSD and marijuana. Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and severe dependence, but have a currently accepted medical use. Schedule II drugs include PCP, cocaine, methadone, and methamphetamine. Schedule III drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedule II drugs, a potential for moderate dependency and an accepted medical use. Anabolic steroids and codeine fall into this category. Schedule IV drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs, a limited potential for dependency, and are accepted in medical treatment. Schedule IV drugs include Valium, Xanax and other tranquilizers and sedatives. Finally, Schedule V drugs have a low potential for abuse, limited risk for dependency and accepted medical uses. These include drugs like cough medicines with codeine.
Most states have drug laws that mirror the Controlled Substances Act. Penalties may be less harsh and more flexible under state sentencing schemes than under the federal sentencing guidelines. In state court, a conviction of simple possession may result in court-ordered drug treatment rather than jail, and probation may be available to first-time offenders even for more serious crimes. However, lesser offenses can result in severe criminal consequences depending on the particular facts of a case or a defendant's prior criminal record.
If you are facing a drug charge, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at our firm to discuss your case and the legal options available to you.
Drug Crimes and Penalties
Drug crimes include a wide range of activities prohibited by federal or state statute, including possession, sale, manufacture, distribution and trafficking, as well as prescription fraud and forgery. Drug crimes include attempts and conspiracies to commit any of these acts. At the federal level, participation in a continuing criminal enterprise also exposes an individual to criminal liability. These crimes are very specifically defined, and the government is required to prove a specific set of facts before an accused person can be found guilty of any of them.
In addition, drug cases frequently involve the question of whether the evidence was properly obtained by law enforcement. Evidence obtained in violation of an accused's constitutional rights is not admissible in court. Most challenges to the admissibility of evidence are based in the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Drug courts operate or are being planned in all 50 states. While they vary from state to state, these specialized courts emphasize treatment over incarceration for defendants with substance abuse issues. Compliance with the imposed terms and conditions (e.g., regular drug testing, participation in a treatment program) can result in dismissal of charges, or suspended or reduced sentences.
When incarceration is involved, however, potential penalties escalate depending on the nature and quantity of the drug at issue and the defendant's prior criminal record. Certain offenses are grouped into classes and minimum and maximum sentences for these classes are specified according to an accused's criminal history. Use of these sentencing guidelines in federal and state court have long been controversial; proponents maintain that guidelines ensure uniformity and fairness in punishment, while opponents argue that they fail to offer the flexibility needed to consider a defendant's unique circumstances.
If You Have Been Charged with a Drug Crime
Drug charges can have severe consequences, including forfeiture of property and incarceration. Consulting with an experienced attorney for advice on how to proceed is essential.
If you are facing drug charges, a knowledgeable attorney at our firm can help you navigate through the issues involved in this complex area of law.
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