Meth Crimes

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant often used as a recreational street drug. Often, it is used as a white powder or pill, but crystal meth is a type of drug that appears to be glass fragments or rocks. It is sometimes called crank, ice, crystal, or speed on the street. People can become highly addicted to meth, to the point at which other crimes like theft crimes may be committed to fuel the ability to get the drug. If you are charged with a meth crime in Bradenton, it is crucial to obtain knowledgeable legal counsel. Bradenton meth crime lawyer Will Hanlon fights for the rights of the accused.

Under Florida Statute section 893.03(2)(c)(4), methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug because it has a great risk of abuse, and its medical uses are quite restricted. Even if you are found with less than 14 grams of meth, you may face third-degree felony charges. If you are caught actually or constructively possessing 14 or more grams of meth or a substance that contains meth, you can be charged with meth trafficking. While it may seem like the sort of crime that only drug kingpins commit, trafficking charges are based on meeting a threshold weight in Florida.

You can be charged with a second-degree felony for unlawful possession of a listed chemical under section 893.149. The prosecution can establish this crime if it shows that: (1) you knowingly or intentionally (2) possessed a listed chemical that was used to manufacture meth, intending to illegally manufacture a controlled substance or knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the listed chemical will be used to illegally manufacture a controlled substance. A meth crime attorney can help Bradenton defendants challenge the prosecution’s ability to prove each of these elements.

What if you actually manufacture meth, and there is potential harm to minors? If the police arrest you for manufacturing meth or possessing an essential chemical or a listed precursor with the intent to manufacture meth, and children were present, you may face charges under section 893.13(1)(g). If the manufacturing or attempted manufacturing occurs in a conveyance or structure where a child under 16 years old is present, you may face a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence. If the manufacturing causes a child under age 16 to suffer great bodily harm, you can be charged with a first-degree felony and face a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.

Meth trafficking is a particularly serious offense because it carries mandatory minimum sentences that vary based on the quantity of meth over the threshold that is involved. This makes it especially critical to hire a Bradenton meth crime attorney to fight the charge. If you are caught with 14 grams to 28 grams, you can be charged with a first-degree felony and face at least 3 years in prison and a fine of $50,000. If you are caught with 28-200 grams, there is a risk of being sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. If you are caught with 200 grams or more of meth, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

If you bring into Florida meth or chemicals used to manufacture meth, and you know that the probable consequence of this is the death of somebody else, you may be charged with a capital felony. A judge may fine you up to $250,000 and sentence you to life in prison or death.

Although the penalties for meth crimes may seem daunting, you should consult an attorney and give them all of the information about your situation and what led up to the arrest. A knowledgeable attorney can examine all of the aspects of your case to determine an appropriate strategy. Since a prosecutor must establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, one potential line of attack is to raise a reasonable doubt about one or more elements.

Meth crimes are very serious and carry a substantial social stigma. If you were charged with a meth crime, you should consult a tenacious drug crime attorney. Our firm's founder, Will Hanlon, has represented people accused of crimes involving meth, marijuana, cocaine, and other controlled substances since 1994. You can call Hanlon Law at 941.253.0254 or contact us through our online form.