Being charged with a drug trafficking charge in Florida is overwhelming—and terrifying. But there are ways to reduce it with the right legal strategy. Mandatory minimum prison sentences. Massive fines. A permanent felony record. But here’s the good news: drug trafficking charges can sometimes be reduced. With the right legal strategy and early action, it may be possible to avoid those life-altering penalties.
Whether you’re accused of trafficking cocaine, cannabis, pills, or another controlled substance, understanding how to challenge the charge—and push for a reduction—is critical.
🔹 What Is Considered Drug Trafficking in Florida?
In Florida, trafficking isn’t based on selling drugs—it’s based on weight.
If you possess, transport, or purchase a certain quantity of a controlled substance, you’re automatically charged with trafficking, even if you never sold or intended to sell it.
🚨 Examples:
Cannabis: 25+ lbs = trafficking
Cocaine: 28+ grams
Oxycodone: 7+ grams (about 30 pills)
Fentanyl: 4+ grams
That’s why even first-time offenders with no criminal intent often face trafficking charges—just because of the quantity involved.
You can view Florida’s trafficking thresholds in full under Fla. Stat. § 893.135.
🔹 Why Getting Charges Reduced Matters
Florida’s trafficking laws carry mandatory minimum sentences, including:
3 years for low-level trafficking
7 to 15 years for higher weights
25 years to life for major quantities or armed trafficking
💡 Judges can’t go lower unless the charges are reduced or the State agrees to a downward departure.
✅ Getting the charge reduced means:
Avoiding mandatory prison
Regaining eligibility for probation
Keeping your future options open (possibly sealing or expunging the record)
🔹 Legal Strategies to Reduce a Drug Trafficking Charge in Florida
There are several proven strategies that an experienced Fort Lauderdale drug crime defense lawyer can use to push for a reduction:
🛑 1. Challenge the Stop or Search (Motion to Suppress)
If the drugs were found during a traffic stop or search, your lawyer can review:
Whether police had probable cause
If the warrant was valid
Whether there was valid consent
If your rights were violated
💥 If a court finds the search was illegal, the evidence may be thrown out—leading to dismissal or reduced charges.
🔍 2. Prove Lack of Knowledge or Possession
Under Florida law, prosecutors must prove you knewthe drugs were present and had control over them.
If the drugs were:
In a shared vehicle
Inside a package you didn’t open
At a residence you don’t control
👉 You may be able to argue constructive possession, not actual possession.
This could reduce the charge or knock it down to a lower degree.
🤝 3. Cooperate or Provide Substantial Assistance
Florida law allows judges to waive mandatory minimums if the defendant provides substantial assistance to law enforcement.
This doesn’t always mean “snitching.” It could involve:
Assisting in a separate investigation
Providing leads or background info
Helping prosecutors build a larger case
📢 This should only be done with a lawyer’s guidance to protect your rights and negotiate favorable terms.
📉 4. Negotiate for Lesser-Included Offenses
Your lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea to:
Possession with intent to sell
Simple possession
Attempted trafficking
These don’t carry mandatory prison and often make you eligible for probation or diversion.
Many first-time offenders don’t realize they may still have options to reduce a drug trafficking charge in Florida before trial.
📋 5. Use Mitigating Factors to Argue for Reduction
Florida courts may consider:
Lack of prior criminal history
Substance abuse or addiction issues
Duress or coercion
Youth or vulnerability
Your lawyer can use these to argue for a reduced charge or sentence, especially if paired with treatment or rehabilitation.
🔹 Why You Need a Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer in Florida
Trafficking cases in Broward County are aggressively prosecuted. Prosecutors aren’t quick to reduce charges—unless they’re pushed with a solid legal strategy and real leverage.
At Michael White, P.A., we:
Review every detail of the stop, arrest, and evidence
Negotiate directly with State Attorneys
Push for charge reductions or probation whenever possible
🛡️ As a former prosecutor, Attorney Michael White understands what it takes to get results in these high-stakes cases.
✅ Arrested for Drug Trafficking? You May Have a Way Out.
If you’ve been charged with drug trafficking in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, or anywhere in South Florida, don’t wait. The clock is ticking, and the consequences are serious.
📞 Call Michael White, P.A. now for a free consultation. Let’s talk about how we can reduce or even eliminate the charges against you.
✅ Arrested for Drug Trafficking? You May Have a Way Out.
Q: Can drug trafficking charges be reduced in Florida?
✅ Yes. Through legal defenses, plea negotiations, or substantial assistance, trafficking charges can often be reduced to lesser offenses.
Q: What are the mandatory minimums for drug trafficking in Florida?
⏱️ Depending on the drug and weight, the minimum can be 3, 7, 15, or even 25 years in prison.
Q: Is possession with intent to sell better than trafficking?
💡 Yes. It typically carries no mandatory prison and is more negotiable.
Q: What if I didn’t know the drugs were there?
🧾 You may have a valid defense under Florida’s constructive possession laws. Prosecutors must prove knowledge and control.
Q: Should I cooperate to get my sentence reduced?
⚠️ Possibly—but only with legal guidance. Cooperation can help but may expose you to risk if mishandled.
If you’re looking to reduce a drug trafficking charge in Florida, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call now.