Briefcase containing packaged narcotics and legal documents — Florida drug charges under review for possible dismissal

🚫 Can Drug Charges Be Dismissed in Florida?

Yes — drug charges can be dismissed in Florida, but it depends on the facts, the evidence, and your legal defense. If you’ve been arrested for drug possession, paraphernalia, or trafficking in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida, don’t assume the case is over.

At Michael White, P.A., we fight for dismissals every day — and we’ve won them by exposing weak evidence, unlawful searches, and procedural mistakes.

Here’s how drug charges can be dismissed, and when it’s possible in your case.

🧑‍⚖️ 1. If Police Violated Your Rights

Illegal search and seizure is one of the most common reasons drug charges get thrown out.

We’ve won dismissals for clients when:

  • Police searched a car without probable cause

  • Officers searched a home without a valid warrant

  • Drugs were found during an unrelated stop with no legal basis

  • The search was based on anonymous tips or bad intel

If the search was unconstitutional, your lawyer can file a motion to suppress— and if granted, the State often drops the case.

📦 2. If the Drugs Weren’t Yours

This comes up a lot in:

  • Shared apartments

  • Rideshare or borrowed vehicles

  • Traffic stops with multiple passengers

Florida law requires the State to prove knowledge and control— just being near drugs isn’t enough. If there’s no solid link between you and the drugs, your charges may not hold.

🧪 3. If the State Can’t Prove the Evidence

We’ve seen drug charges dismissed when:

  • Lab tests were delayed or inconclusive

  • The substance was never tested

  • Chain of custody was broken

  • Officers couldn’t testify to who possessed what

Lack of lab results or poor evidence management can collapse the prosecution’s case.

💡 4. If You Complete a Diversion Program

Many first-time offenders in Broward County qualify for:

Complete the program, stay out of trouble, and your case may be dismissed — leaving your record eligible for expungement in many cases.

📍 Want Drug Charges Dismissed in Florida? Let’s Build the Case.

If you’ve been arrested for drugs, don’t give up. From possession to felony trafficking, dismissal is always the first goal — and we know how to get there.

👉 Talk to a Fort Lauderdale Drug Defense Lawyer Today

📘 Florida Drug Case FAQs: Getting Charges Dismissed

❓ Can drug charges really be dismissed in Florida?

Yes — especially if police violated your rights, the evidence is weak, or you qualify for diversion.

❓ What if the drugs weren’t mine?

Florida law requires proof that you knew about and controlled the drugs. If they were found in a shared space, your lawyer may argue lack of possession.

❓ Do all drug cases go to trial?

No. Many are resolved through dismissal, plea bargains, or diversion — especially for first-time offenses.

❓ Will my case be dropped if lab results aren’t ready?

Possibly. Prosecutors are required to prove what the substance is. If they can’t, we may push for dismissal.

❓ Can a lawyer help me qualify for diversion?

Absolutely. A defense lawyer can negotiate your entry into a program that leads to dismissal and expungement.