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Drug Crime Defense Attorney Serving Bartow, Lakeland, and Central Florida
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Lakeland Drug Charge Defense Lawyer - Criminal Law
Experienced Drug Crime Defense attorney providing Criminal Law Legal Services in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, Polk County, and the greater Central Florida area.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule a Free Consultation with drug charge defense lawyer, Robert A. Norgard.
A drug crime conviction in Florida can completely derail your future. State prosecutors and local law enforcement agencies aggressively pursue narcotics offenses, meaning even a minor arrest for simple possession can result in a permanent criminal record, steep fines, and mandatory driver's license suspension. When your freedom is on the line, you need a defense attorney who knows how to break down the state’s case piece by piece.
At the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard in Bartow, we provide aggressive, sophisticated criminal defense representation for individuals facing drug charges throughout Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, and the greater Polk County area. As a Florida Bar Board-Certified Criminal Trial Law Specialist—a distinction held by less than 1% of Florida attorneys—Robert A. Norgard delivers an elite level of trial experience and legal expertise to your defense.
How Florida Regulares Controlled Substances
Florida strictly regulates controlled substances under Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes (the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act). Controlled substances are classified into five distinct "Schedules" based on their medical utility and potential for abuse or dependency:
- Schedule I: Substances with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use (e.g., Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy/MDMA, and Fentanyl derivatives).
- Schedule II: Medications with a high potential for abuse but severe restrictions for medical use (e.g., Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Hydrocodone).
- Schedules III through V: Substances with lower potential for abuse and widely accepted medical uses (e.g., anabolic steroids, certain codeine mixtures, and prescription anxiety medications).
The severity of a drug charge and its corresponding penalties depend heavily on the type of substance, the weight or quantity seized, and whether law enforcement believes the drugs were for personal use or distribution.
Possession of a Controlled Substance (F.S. § 893.13)
Except for small amounts of cannabis, possessing most illegal drugs or unauthorized prescription medications is a Third-Degree Felony in Florida. This includes standard amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, or illegally obtained pills. Potential Penalties: Up to 5 years in Florida state prison, up to 5 years of probation, a $5,000 fine, and a mandatory 6-month driver's license revocation upon conviction.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (F.S. § 893.147)
Possessing items used to inject, inhale, ingest, package, or grow controlled substances (such as pipes, bongs, baggies, or digital scales) is classified as a First-Degree Misdemeanor. Potential Penalties: Up to 1 year in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Selling, Manufacturing, or Delivering Controlled Substances (F.S. § 893.13)
Selling, manufacturing, or possessing drugs with the intent to distribute them elevates the severity of the offense. These charges are typically categorized as Second-Degree or First-Degree Felonies, with penalties significantly enhanced if the transaction occurred near a school, church, child care facility, or public park. Potential Penalties: Up to 15 years in prison for a second-degree felony, or up to 30 years in prison for a first-degree felony.
Drug Trafficking (F.S. § 893.135)
In Florida, "trafficking" does not require proof that you were moving drugs across borders; it is determined strictly by the weight of the substance seized. Trafficking applies to specified weights of cocaine (28+ grams), cannabis (25+ pounds), methamphetamine (14+ grams), and fentanyl (4+ grams). Potential Penalties: Drug trafficking is a first-degree felony that carries severe, mandatory minimum prison sentences ranging from 3 years to life in prison, alongside massive mandatory fines up to $500,000.
You Have Rights!
An arrest is not the same as a conviction. Because drug investigations frequently rely on physical evidence obtained during high-stress encounters, an experienced attorney can challenge the state's evidence on multiple fronts:
- Fourth Amendment Violations (Unlawful Search & Seizure): If law enforcement conducted a traffic stop without reasonable suspicion, searched your vehicle or home without a valid warrant, or exceeded the scope of your consent, the search may be unconstitutional. We aggressively file Motions to Suppress to throw out illegally obtained evidence, which frequently leads to a total dismissal of the charges.
- Lack of Constructive Possession: If drugs were found in a shared space—such as a vehicle glove box, a living room table, or a hotel room—the state must prove you had knowledge of the drugs' presence and the ability to maintain control over them. Merely being near a controlled substance is not enough to secure a conviction.
- Illegal Entrapment: If law enforcement officers or confidential informants coerced, pressured, or tricked you into committing a drug crime that you were otherwise not predisposed to commit, an entrapment defense may apply.
- Prescription Defenses: If you are facing charges for possessing controlled prescription medications (like Xanax, Oxycodone, or Adderall), proving you held a valid, lawful prescription at the time of your arrest is an absolute defense.
Why choose The Law Office of Robert A. Norgard to represent you when arrested or charged with a Drug Crime in Florida
Navigating Florida's strict drug laws requires a deep understanding of criminal procedure, suppression law, and forensic chemistry. Choosing the right legal counsel can alter the trajectory of your entire life.
The Board-Certified Advantage: As a Florida Bar Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialist, Robert A. Norgard is recognized by the legal community as an expert in the field. This distinction means our firm possesses the specialized knowledge and proven courtroom trial skill required to stand toe-to-toe with state prosecutors.
Whether negotiating to place you into a pretrial diversion program (like Polk County Drug Court) to have your charges completely dismissed, securing a reduction to a lesser offense, or fighting for an acquittal before a jury, we handle every detail of your case with precision.
Do not leave your future and your freedom to chance. If you are under investigation or have already been arrested for a narcotics offense in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, or anywhere in Central Florida, protect your rights immediately.
Contact the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard today to schedule a confidential legal consultation. Let a board-certified trial expert build the powerful defense your case deserves.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule your Free Consultation with Lakeland drug crime defense attorney, Robert A. Norgard.
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