Aggressive & Experienced Defense Against Drug Manufacturing
If you’re facing a drug manufacturing conviction, you’ll need the experienced legal team from The Morris Firm to build your case and defend you against the charges. We’ve been representing clients in Pensacola and throughout Florida for over a decade. Our legal team will fight hard to secure your rights, reputation, and freedom.
We understand how overwhelming this experience has been. When you’re facing a criminal conviction, it can affect your job, family, and standing within your community. We have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help ensure you don’t end up with a criminal record. Whatever the offense, we’ll work to get the charges reduced, or the entire case dismissed.
You should contact The Morris Firm immediately so we can start creating a strong defense for you. Call us at (850) 503-2626 for a case evaluation with a dedicated Pensacola drug manufacturing attorney.
What Is Drug Manufacturing?
Drug manufacturing involves participation in any step of the process of producing illegal drugs. It can also include possession and the intent to manufacture. Additionally, it’s illegal to possess or sell equipment or chemicals used to produce illicit drugs or assist with drug manufacturing.
According to Florida statute chapter 893, the definition of drug manufacturing is the direct or indirect compounding, preparing, cultivating, producing, converting, growing, or processing of a controlled substance by chemical synthesis, natural resources, or both. It also includes the act of relabeling, packaging, or repackaging an illicit drug.
Illicit drugs fall under one of five main categories or schedules created by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The factors they use to determine which schedule a drug belongs to include:
- Potential for abuse
- Current scientific knowledge of the drug or another substance
- Scientific evidence indicating the pharmacological effect
- Scope, duration, and significance of abuse
- History and current abuse patterns
- Physiological or psychological dependence
- If there’s any risk to the public
- If the substance is an immediate precursor to substances listed in the United States Code Controlled Substances Act title 21 subchapter I
Below are the five schedules and examples of these types of drugs.
Schedule I substances, drugs, or chemicals have a high potential for abuse and no acceptable medical use. They include:
- LSD
- Ecstasy
- Marijuana
- Heroin
Schedule II drugs, chemicals, or substances can lead to severe physical or psychological dependence and have a high potential for abuse. They include:
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Demerol
- Cocaine
Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals have a moderate to low potential for psychological or physical dependence. It also has an abuse potential higher than schedule IV but lower than schedules I and II. They include:
- Ketamine
- Anabolic steroids
- Codeine
- Testosterone
Schedule IV substances, chemicals, or drugs have a low risk of dependence and abuse. They include:
- Ativan
- Tramadol
- Valium
- Darvocet
Schedule V chemicals, substances, or drugs contain preparations with limited quantities of narcotics and have less abuse potential than schedule IV. They include:
- Parepectolin
- Lomotil
- Motofen
- Cough preparations containing under 200 milligrams of Codeine
Penalties for Drug Manufacturing in Florida
Drug manufacturing is a felony in the state of Florida. The punishment depends on the type and amount of the drug involved in the crime. When a judge issues a penalty, they typically refer to the state’s minimum mandatory sentencing statutes. The most commonly manufactured drugs are below with corresponding penalties based on the amount of the drug.
Methamphetamine
- 14 – 27 grams: Minimum of 3 years in prison and $50,000 in fines
- 28 – 199 grams: Minimum of 7 years in prison and $100,000 in fines
- 200 – 399 grams: Minimum of 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines
- 400 grams or more: Life in prison without the possibility of parole and $250,000 in fines
Marijuana
Although marijuana is legal for medical use, the manufacturing of the drug is prohibited.
- 25 – 1,000 pounds: At least 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine
- 2,000 – 9,999 pounds: At least 7 years in prison and a $50,000 fine
- At least 10,000 pounds: At least 15 years in prison and a $200,000 fine
Cocaine
- 28 – 199 grams: $50,000 fine and a minimum of 3 years in prison
- 200 – 399 grams: $100,000 fine and a minimum of 7 years in prison
- 400 grams – 150 kilograms: $250,000 fine and a minimum of 15 years in prison
- Over 150 kilograms: $250,000 fine and life in prison without parole
Heroin
- 4 – 13 grams: Minimum of 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine
- 14 – 27 grams: Minimum of 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine
- 28 grams – 29 kilograms: Minimum of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
- At least 30 kilograms: Life in prison without parole and a $500,000 fine
MDMA (ecstasy)
- 10 – 199 grams: At least 3 years in prison and $50,000 in fines
- 200 – 399 grams: At least 7 years in prison and $100,000 in fines
- 400 grams or more: At least 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines
You can refer to Florida statute § 893.135 for mandatory minimum sentencing associated with other types of manufactured drugs.
Common Legal Defenses to Drug Manufacturing Charges
There are common defenses The Morris Firm might be able to use when we’re preparing your case. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the offense, we could potentially get your charges reduced or dropped. Our goal is to poke holes in the prosecution’s case and convince a jury that the evidence against you doesn’t prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Lack of knowledge: You might not have known you were involved in manufacturing illicit drugs.
- Unlawful search and seizure: Law enforcement violated your rights by searching your person, home, or car without a warrant and confiscating evidence that’s inadmissible in court.
- Innocent: Witness testimony, a solid alibi, forensic evidence, and other information prove your innocence.
- Lack of possession: You were never in possession of the manufactured drug.
- False accusation: A witness identified you by mistake, or someone set you up as an act of revenge.
Speak to A Dedicated Pensacola Drug Manufacturing Attorney
At The Morris Firm, we know you’re facing an uphill battle. When your freedom, reputation, and future are at risk, you can depend on our legal team to protect your rights. Whether you’re guilty or innocent, we’ll work hard to get the case against you dismissed or negotiate for a lesser charge and sentence. You won’t have to be in this fight alone.
Call (850) 503-2626 to speak with a Pensacola drug manufacturing attorney about your legal options if you were arrested or charged for manufacturing illicit drugs.
