Last updated March 2026
Former Prosecutor. Aggressive Defense. Local Insight.
Drug arrests in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County are prosecuted aggressively. Even a first-time offense can result in jail, probation, license suspension, professional consequences, and a permanent criminal record.
If you’ve been arrested, early decisions matter.
Attorney Michael White is a former prosecutor who handled serious narcotics cases from the State’s side. Today, he defends clients throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach facing charges ranging from simple possession to multi-count trafficking.
📞 Free consultation: (954) 270-0769 — Same-day calls welcome.
⚖️ Florida Drug Laws: What You’re Really Facing
Most Florida drug prosecutions fall under Chapter 893, including:
• § 893.13 – Possession, sale, manufacture, and delivery
• § 893.135 – Drug trafficking (weight-based mandatory minimums)
Penalties depend on:
• The type of substance
• The amount or weight
• Whether intent to sell is alleged
• Prior record
• Proximity enhancements
Common substances charged include:
• Cannabis and THC concentrates
• Cocaine
• MDMA / ecstasy
• Oxycodone and other prescription opioids
• Benzodiazepines
• Methamphetamine
Even registered users can face arrest depending on possession method, quantity, or alleged misuse.
👉 Medical marijuana charges in Florida explained.
Confusion about THC-infused products is common.
👉 Are edibles legal in Florida?
Having a medical marijuana card does not automatically prevent arrest — but it may significantly impact the defense strategy.
👉 How a medical marijuana card affects your defense.
Even small amounts can lead to felony charges.
👉 Learn more about Florida drug possession charges.
👉 Learn more about possession with intent to sell or deliver.
👉Learn more about Florida drug trafficking charges.
👉 Learn more about prescription drug charges and defenses.
📦 Types of Drug Cases We Defend
Florida drug cases fall into distinct legal categories, each requiring different defense strategies.
Drug Possession
Simple possession cases often hinge on whether the State can prove knowledge and control over the substance.
👉 Learn more about Florida drug possession charges.
Possession With Intent to Sell or Deliver
Intent cases are built on circumstantial evidence like packaging, cash, and phone data.
👉 Learn more about possession with intent to sell or deliver.
Drug Trafficking (Weight-Based Charges)
Trafficking charges are based on weight — not proof of sale — and often carry mandatory minimum prison sentences.
👉Learn more about Florida drug trafficking charges.
Prescription Drug Crimes
Doctor shopping, fraudulent prescriptions, and unlawful possession cases can trigger felony exposure even without street drugs.
🚨 What Happens After a Drug Arrest in Broward County?
Drug cases move quickly.
Booking & First Appearance
You will appear before a judge within 24 hours. Bond depends on charge severity and criminal history.
👉 Learn more about bail in Florida drug cases
Evidence Review & Lab Testing
The prosecution must prove the substance is illegal and properly handled from seizure through testing.
Weaknesses in:
• Field testing
• Laboratory confirmation
• Chain of custody
• Evidence preservation
can destroy the case.
👉 What the State must disclose in a Florida drug case.
👉 Can drug charges be dismissed without lab results?
👉 How chain of custody issues weaken drug prosecutions.
👉 What happens if police lose drug evidence?
Early Strategy Decisions
At this stage, your attorney evaluates:
• Suppression issues
• Overcharging
• Diversion eligibility
• Negotiation leverage
👉 How motions to suppress affect drug cases.
👉Can drug charges be dismissed in Florida? 👉What to consider before accepting a plea deal in a Florida drug case.
🔄 Diversion & First-Time Offenders
Some defendants may qualify for:
• Pretrial Intervention (PTI)
• Drug Court
• Deferred prosecution
👉 Drug Court in Broward County: eligibility and process.
👉 Will a first-time drug offense lead to jail in Florida?
Early legal intervention often determines whether a case ends in dismissal or permanent conviction.
🛡️ How We Attack Drug Cases
As a former prosecutor, Michael White understands where drug prosecutions fail.
🚓 Illegal Stops & Searches
Many cases begin with traffic stops or street encounters that do not meet constitutional standards.
If police lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause, evidence may be suppressed.
👉 Can you be arrested for the smell of marijuana in Florida?
🧍 Constructive Possession & Shared Spaces
In shared vehicles, homes, or multi-occupant situations, proximity alone is not enough.
The State must prove knowledge and dominion.
👉 Understanding constructive possession in Florida drug cases.
🧪 Forensic & Classification Errors
Drug weight, mixture calculations, packaging inclusion, and lab mistakes can drastically change sentencing exposure.
🧬 Collateral Consequences: What’s at Risk Beyond Jail
Drug charges often damage far more than your record.
Employment & Background Checks
Arrests and pending charges can appear on background checks.
👉 How a drug conviction affects employment in Florida.
👉 What a third-degree drug felony means for your record.
Professional Licensing
Healthcare providers, CDL drivers, teachers, attorneys, and other licensed professionals may face mandatory reporting and disciplinary action.
👉 Drug charges and professional license consequences.
Students & Financial Aid
Students may face school discipline, scholarship loss, or housing issues even before conviction.
Early strategy must account for these risks.
📍 Why Local Experience Matters
Drug cases in Broward County are often handled by specialized units and court divisions.
Local knowledge affects:
• Suppression outcomes
• Diversion eligibility
• Charging negotiations
• Sentencing exposure
Understanding how local prosecutors evaluate trafficking vs. possession cases can dramatically change case trajectory.
📞 Call a Fort Lauderdale Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Today
Don’t wait for the State to build its case. Start building your defense now.
📲 Call Michael White, P.A. at (954) 270-0769
💬 Or request your free confidential consultation online.
We’ll review your charges, explain your options, and develop a strategy tailored to your case.