Drug Crime Lawyer in Brent

Defense Help After A Drug Arrest In Brent

If you were recently arrested on a drug charge in or near Brent, it can feel like your entire future is suddenly uncertain. You may be worried about jail, your job, your family, and what will happen when you go to court. You likely need clear information and a trusted guide, not legal jargon.

At Michael J. Griffith, P.A., we represent people facing drug charges throughout the Florida Panhandle, including cases that go through Escambia County courts. Our firm brings more than 40 years of criminal defense experience to every case, and since 1990 we have focused on helping individuals, not government agencies or large companies. We work to protect your rights and help you understand each step ahead.

We offer confidential consultations so you can ask questions, understand your options, and decide on your next move with real information in hand. Call (850) 495-7977 to schedule yours.

Florida Drug Classifications and Penalties

Florida law (Florida Statute § 893.03) categorizes controlled substances into "Schedules" based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. The classification of the substance and the quantity involved will determine the severity of the charges and the resulting penalties.

The Drug Schedule System

• Schedule I: Substances with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use (e.g., heroin, LSD, and certain synthetic drugs).
• Schedule II: Drugs with a high potential for abuse but some restricted medical use (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and oxycodone).
• Schedule III - V: Substances with lower potential for abuse and recognized medical uses (e.g., anabolic steroids or specific prescription sedatives).

Penalties by Offense Level

As your Brent drug crime attorney, we help you navigate the potential consequences based on the specific nature of your charge:

• Possession: Often charged as a third-degree felony (except for small amounts of marijuana), carrying up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• Possession with Intent to Sell: A more serious felony that can lead to 15 years in prison depending on the substance and location (such as proximity to a school).
• Drug Trafficking: These charges carry mandatory minimum sentences. For example, trafficking in even small amounts of fentanyl or cocaine can trigger mandatory prison terms of 3, 7, 15, or even 25 years, regardless of your prior record.

The Criminal Process for Drug Charges in Escambia County

Navigating the legal system in Brent and the surrounding Pensacola area requires a strategic approach. Our firm manages every step of the criminal process to ensure the state is held to its burden of proof.

• Arraignment: Your first formal court appearance where charges are read. We enter a plea of "Not Guilty" to preserve your rights while we begin our investigation.
• Discovery: We demand all evidence, including police bodycam footage, lab reports, and search warrants. With over 50 years of experience, we know how to spot inconsistencies in police reports that others might miss.
• Suppression Hearings: Many drug cases hinge on how the evidence was obtained. If the police conducted an illegal search of your car or home without probable cause, we file motions to suppress that evidence. If the evidence is thrown out, the case is often dismissed.
• Pre-Trial Negotiations: We leverage our proven track record to negotiate with the State Attorney. We frequently explore options like Drug Court or Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) for eligible clients, which can lead to a complete dismissal of charges.
• Trial: If a fair agreement cannot be reached, we are veteran trial lawyers prepared to defend you before a jury, challenging the state's "constructive possession" arguments and forensic data.

What To Do After A Drug Arrest in Brent

In the hours and days after a drug arrest, it is easy to feel pressured into quick decisions. The choices you make now can affect your case later, so it helps to follow a few practical steps.

Key steps to protect yourself after an arrest:

• Stay calm and avoid talking about the case. You have the right to remain silent. It is usually wise not to discuss details with officers, friends, or on social media before you speak with a lawyer.
• Write down what happened. As soon as you can, note where you were stopped, what officers said, who was present, and how any search was carried out. Details like times, locations, and names can matter later.
• Keep all paperwork together. Hold on to your charging documents, bond information, and notice of your first court date. Missing a date at the Escambia County courthouse can create new legal problems.
• Pay attention to bond and release conditions. Court orders about travel, contact with others, or drug testing should be taken seriously. Violations can affect your freedom and your case.
• Contact a drug arrest attorney as soon as you can. Reaching out early allows us to review the charges, evaluate the stop and search, and begin guiding you before important decisions are made.

When you call our firm, we listen to your version of events, explain what the paperwork means, and outline the immediate steps that need attention. Our goal is to reduce the confusion you are facing and give you a clearer picture of what lies ahead.

Why Choose Our Firm

When your freedom and record are on the line, the person standing beside you in court matters. Our firm is led by attorney Michael J. Griffith, who has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. This credential reflects years of serious legal work and the ability to handle complex legal issues that often arise in drug cases.

Attorney Griffith has also been named to the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida. This recognition, combined with decades in practice, shows that other legal professionals respect the quality of his work. Many of our cases come from referrals by former clients and other attorneys, which tells us that people who know our work trust us enough to recommend us when someone is facing criminal charges.

We are committed to defending individuals. We do not represent the government or large businesses. Our focus stays on protecting the rights of people who have been charged with crimes, including those dealing with drug allegations. In each case, we carefully review the facts, listen to your goals, and then build a defense strategy that fits your situation instead of using a single approach.

How We Defend Drug Cases in Brent

Our drug defense approach is detail-driven and tailored to each client’s circumstances. We begin by closely examining how law enforcement initiated contact, including the legality of the stop, detention, and any searches. Issues involving probable cause, warrants, and consent can significantly affect whether evidence is admissible. We also scrutinize how alleged substances were handled, tested, and documented.

At the same time, we focus on you—not just the charge. We consider your background, goals, and concerns, whether that involves avoiding a conviction, protecting a career, or addressing immigration or school issues. We explore negotiation, alternative resolutions, or trial when appropriate, and maintain clear communication so you understand your options and risks at every stage.

Our firm do not take the state's evidence at face value. We utilize a multi-faceted approach to your defense:

• Challenging "Constructive Possession": If drugs were found in a shared space (like a car or house), the state must prove you had knowledge of and control over the substance. We fight to prove the drugs belonged to someone else.
• Search and Seizure Analysis: We scrutinize the Fourth Amendment implications of your arrest. Did the K-9 unit take too long to arrive? Was the search warrant based on unreliable confidential informant data?
• Entrapment Defense: In cases involving undercover stings, we investigate whether law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you otherwise would not have committed.
• Laboratory Accuracy: We challenge the validity of the chemical testing used to identify the substance, ensuring no cross-contamination or "false positives" occurred.

Talk To A Drug Arrest Attorney

At Michael J. Griffith, P.A., we bring decades of criminal defense experience in the Florida Panhandle, a record of individualized case strategies, and a strong focus on client communication. We take time to listen, answer your questions, and explain how the process typically unfolds, from the first appearance through later hearings. 

Our consultations are confidential, so you can talk openly about what happened and what you are worried about. Taking the step to contact a drug attorney in Brent might feel difficult, but you do not have to do it alone or without information. We are prepared to review your situation and discuss how we may be able to help.

Call (850) 495-7977 or fill out this online form to speak with our drug crime defense lawyer in Brent.