Drug Crime Attorney in West Palm Beach

A single drug charge can put your job, your reputation, and even your ability to keep custody of your children at risk. But an arrest is not a conviction, and you have the right to a strong criminal defense.

At Hutchinson & Huffman, P.A., we defend clients facing drug charges throughout West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County, and we serve clients across Martin and Broward counties as well. Whether you are facing a first possession charge or something far more serious, we are ready to help. Request a confidential consultation or call (561) 838-9793.

Drug Charges We Defend

Florida drug cases cover a wide range, and the charge you face depends heavily on the substance, the amount, and how it was allegedly packaged or handled. We defend cases involving:

• Simple possession
• Possession with intent to sell or distribute
• Drug trafficking
• Manufacturing and cultivation
• Prescription drug offenses

Drug arrests also frequently come bundled with other charges, like DUI when a driver is involved. That is another area we handle, so we can defend the whole picture rather than just one piece of it.

It depends on the substance and the amount. Possession of a small quantity of marijuana is often treated as a misdemeanor, while possession of many other controlled substances is charged as a felony regardless of the amount. Because Florida's drug laws are detailed and change over time, the safest move is to have an attorney review the specific facts of your case rather than rely on general rules.

How We Defend Drug Cases

To win a conviction, the State Attorney has to prove several things beyond a reasonable doubt, including that the substance was in fact a controlled substance, that you knew it was there, and that you had control over it. Each of those elements is a place where a defense can take hold.

We look closely at how the case was built. Was the traffic stop or search lawful? Was there a valid warrant? Was the substance weighed and tested correctly? Were there other people who had access to the location where it was found? An unlawful search and seizure, for example, can be grounds to challenge the evidence entirely. Every case is different, and some never reach trial at all, because a dismissal, a reduction, or another resolution may be possible.

What Are the Penalties for a Drug Conviction in Florida?

Penalties vary widely based on the type and amount of the substance and your prior record, ranging from probation and drug-program requirements on the lighter end to prison time and significant fines on the more serious end. Because the stakes differ so much from case to case, and because the law changes over time, it is best to talk through your specific situation with an attorney who can give you an accurate picture.

Talk to a West Palm Beach Drug Defense Attorney

Florida's drug penalties are among the harshest in the nation, so this is not a charge to face alone or to wait on. The sooner you have an attorney reviewing your case, the more we may be able to do. Request a confidential consultation or call (561) 838-9793.