Drug Trafficking Attorney in Stuart

Serious Drug Charges Require Focused Legal Defense—Call Our Team for a Free Consultation

Being arrested or investigated for drug trafficking in Florida can change your life in a moment. You may be worried about prison time, your job, and what this means for your family. At ADL Law, P.A., we defend people facing serious drug allegations in and around Stuart and guide them through every stage of the case.

Our firm is led by Attorney Adam Less, a former police officer, and Attorney Molly McCaffrey, a respected criminal defense and family law attorney. Together, we use our combined backgrounds to examine how the investigation unfolded and to protect our clients' constitutional rights. If you need a drug trafficking attorney in Stuart to review your charges and explain your options, we are ready to talk.

Your future depends on the actions you take right now. Speak with a Stuart drug trafficking lawyer at (772) 280-5052 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Take advantage of our experience in law enforcement and prosecution.

Understanding Drug Trafficking Laws in Florida

Florida’s drug statutes are notoriously unforgiving, particularly Florida Statute § 893.135. Under this law, "trafficking" is defined as the knowing sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, or possession of a controlled substance that meets or exceeds a specific weight threshold. 

It is a common misconception that you must be caught "dealing" to be charged with trafficking. In reality, you can be charged with a first-degree felony simply for possessing a certain amount of a drug, even if it was intended solely for personal use.

The specific thresholds vary depending on the substance. For example:

• Cannabis: 25 pounds or 300 plants.
• Cocaine: 28 grams.
• Fentanyl: 4 grams.
• Methamphetamine: 14 grams.
• Hydrocodone/Oxycodone: 7 grams.

It is critical to distinguish trafficking from "possession with intent to sell." While possession with intent is a serious felony, it does not carry the mandatory minimum prison sentences that a trafficking charge does. Furthermore, Florida law treats the total weight of a "mixture" as the weight of the drug. This means if a small amount of a controlled substance is mixed with a legal "filler," the entire weight counts toward the trafficking threshold. 

Navigating these technicalities is why seeking a Stuart drug trafficking lawyer is the most important step you can take following an arrest.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Drug Trafficking in Florida

The penalties for drug trafficking in Florida are among the harshest in the United States because they involve mandatory minimum sentences. This means that if you are convicted, the judge is legally forbidden from sentencing you to anything less than the mandatory minimum, regardless of your background or character.

Mandatory Minimums and Fines

• Cocaine (28g – 200g): 3-year mandatory minimum and a $50,000 fine.
• Fentanyl (14g – 28g): 15-year mandatory minimum and a $100,000 fine.
• Cannabis (2,000 lbs – 10,000 lbs): 7-year mandatory minimum and a $50,000 fine.

For large quantities, the mandatory minimum can reach 25 years or even life imprisonment.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond the prison gates, a trafficking conviction carries devastating lifelong impacts. You will lose your civil rights, including the right to vote and own a firearm. Your driver's license will be suspended for a minimum of one year. 

Professionally, a drug crime conviction is often an automatic bar to obtaining or keeping professional licenses in healthcare, law, or education. Additionally, under Florida’s Civil Forfeiture laws, the state may seize your vehicle, cash, and even your home if they can link those assets to the alleged trafficking activity.

What To Do After A Drug Arrest in Stuart

If you or a loved one has just been arrested on a trafficking charge in Stuart, the first hours and days are important. You may be contacted by law enforcement, co-defendants, or other people who want to talk about the case. What you say and do can affect how the case unfolds, so taking a careful approach is essential.

We generally advise that you avoid making statements about the facts of the case to police, investigators, or anyone who could be called as a witness, until you have spoken with an attorney. Conversations from jail phones are often recorded, and text messages or social media posts can be reviewed later. Remaining polite but firm about your wish to speak with counsel is often the safest course.

If officers request consent for additional searches, or ask for access to phones, computers, or passwords, it is reasonable to pause and seek legal advice. You have rights regarding searches and self-incrimination, and those rights do not disappear in difficult moments. Our team can help you understand what you are required to do and what you are entitled to refuse.

How We Approach Your Defense in Drug Trafficking Cases in Stuart

Our approach to defending drug trafficking cases in Stuart begins with a detailed review of how the investigation started. These cases often involve traffic stops, searches, package interceptions, or extended investigations, each raising specific legal and constitutional issues. We examine whether law enforcement followed proper procedures and respected the limits imposed by Florida law and the Constitution.

We closely analyze the stop, search, and seizure of evidence, as well as how alleged substances were handled and tested. This includes evaluating reasonable suspicion, probable cause, warrant validity, and the voluntariness of any consent. When appropriate, we consider motions to suppress evidence that may have been obtained unlawfully.

Drawing on Attorney Adam Less’s background as a former police officer, we scrutinize reports, investigative methods, and assumptions about possession or knowledge. We also examine constructive possession, weight calculations, and lab results. Throughout the case, we keep clients informed, discuss strategic options, and work toward the most favorable outcome supported by the facts and the law.

At ADL Law, P.A., we don't just "manage" your case; we attack the prosecution's foundation. Our methodology is built on our unique "insider" knowledge of how drug stings and investigations are conducted.

• Challenging Law Enforcement Conduct: Because our firm has experience in law enforcement, we know the shortcuts officers sometimes take. We look for procedural errors in the chain of custody and violations of your Fourth Amendment rights.
• Challenging Entrapment: Many trafficking arrests involve confidential informants (CIs) who may have pressured you into a situation you would not have otherwise entered. We investigate whether law enforcement overstepped by inducing the crime.
• Weight and Lab Accuracy: We often employ independent experts to re-weigh and re-test the substances, as even a fraction of a gram can mean the difference between a 3-year and 15-year mandatory sentence.
• Negotiation from Strength: By identifying the weaknesses in the state’s case early, a drug trafficking attorney in Stuart from our team can often negotiate a reduction to a simple possession charge, effectively removing the threat of mandatory prison time.

Why Choose ADL Law For Drug Trafficking Defense

When you face a trafficking charge, who you choose to stand with you in court matters. Our team brings a perspective that many firms do not have. Attorney Adam Less served as a police officer before becoming a defense lawyer, so he understands how officers are trained to conduct stops, searches, and interviews, and how they document those events in reports.

Attorney Molly McCaffrey contributes her deep roots in the local community and her experience handling high-stakes criminal and family matters. Clients often come to us at a crisis point in their lives. We respond by taking the time to listen, answer questions, and explain what to expect at each hearing. 

Our commitment to client service is reflected in recognition such as Avvo's Client's Choice Award and a Top 10 Lawyer for Client Satisfaction honor, which are grounded in how clients describe their experience working with us. You are not handed off to a distant office. Instead, we work to ensure you have a direct line of communication with our team and that your concerns are addressed promptly.

Talk With Our Stuart Defense Attorneys About Your Case

If you or a loved one is facing a trafficking allegation in Stuart, you do not have to navigate this alone. Our attorneys at ADL Law, P.A. are prepared to review the charges, examine how the investigation unfolded, and explain in clear terms what you are facing and what options may exist.

Call (772) 280-5052 or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation with our drug trafficking attorneys in Stuart.