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Over 100 Not Guilty Verdicts At Trial | Over 2,000 Dismissals

* Statistics Verified by County Clerk of Court Documents

Client Testimonials

"We are very fortunate to have hired such a wonderful team!!" by A.K., Past Client
"Don Pumphrey is a very respectable and trustworthy person" by Alejandro M.
"Mr. Pumphrey rescued my family in a time of crisis. A simple traffic stop turned into out-of-state incarceration for my adult son. Our family has zero experience with needing legal counsel. We were referred to Mr. Pumphrey by another lawyer based on his reputation. Mr Pumphrey was knowledgeable about the out-of-state circumstances and educated us on the complexities of the situation. He and his staff answered and/or returned every phone call promptly. They were able to resolve this in a week’s time. The charges were dropped and my son was released. Mr. Pumphrey will always have my eternal gratitude. His knowledge, actions, and ability to resolve this quickly saved my son." by Amy C., Past Client
"Mr. Pumphrey and his staff are true experts at interpretation of the law and worked hard to protect my rights." by Anonymous (Google Review 3), Past Client
"I would recommend him to anyone wanting a trustworthy, diligent, aggressive attorney that knows how to navigate the legal system and get the best possible outcome." by B.J., Past Client
"Mr. Pumphrey took one look at my case and had all of the charges dismissed" by Evie, Past Client
"Without question, the best criminal defense attorney in Tallahassee." by J.P.M., Past Client
"I was referred to Mr. Pumphrey’s law firm through a mutual friend who spoke highly of him. At no surprise, he came through for me in a huge way. He was effective and efficient. If you are in need of a top notch lawyer that gets the job done, Don Pumphrey is who you need!" by Jonathan C., Past Client
""He's one of the best lawyers in town. He's very nice and personable."" by Lashan, Former Client
" He's a great person and cares very much about his clients." by M.G., Past Client
"His passion for justice is second only to his unwavering commitment to his clients." by Michael M., Past Client
"During our initial phone conference with Mr. Pumphrey, we could tell that our son was in good hands." by Michelle K., Parent of Past Client
"He worked relentlessly to achieve the best possible outcome in my circumstances. " by T.K., Past Client
"One of the finest criminal attorney's in the big bend area" by Terry B., Past Client
""Best Lawyer in Town"" by Yohan Lange, Former Client

Drug Charges in Leon County

A drug charge can be a terrifying and life-changing experience. Aside from serious criminal punishments, drug charges can potentially affect future job and housing applications. Drug charges in Leon county are usually felonies or misdemeanors according to Florida law, but also qualify as federal offenses. If charged by the U.S. government, a person could face steep minimum sentences and millions of dollars in fines. Last year at least 1,657 arrests were made for drug charges in Leon County,[1] up from 1,415 in 2015.[2]

Potential Drug Charges

Drug charges in Leon County include a range of offenses, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Federal felony offenses can carry harsher penalties. Florida drug offenses are primarily listed in the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act in Florida Statutes § 893.13. Some examples of drug charges are:

Possession of a Controlled Substance
Either actual or constructive possession of an illegal or prohibited substance
Illegal Possession of Prescription Drug
Either actual or constructive possession of prescription drugs without a prescription or in an amount in excess of prescription
Possession with Intent to Sell
Possession, actual or constructive of a controlled substance in an amount indicating intent to sell or distribute to someone
Drug Trafficking
“Trafficking” is large-scale manufacturing, transportation or sale operations
Marijuana Possession
Despite its growing acceptance nationwide, possession of marijuana that is not obtained with a prescription is still a state offense here in Leon County
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Involves possession of drug paraphernalia such as bongs, pipes, and needles

Florida’s Drug Schedule

Drugs in Florida are classified between Schedule I to Schedule V. The classification is based on the potential for abuse, medical use and the results of abuse, according to Florida Statutes § 893.03.

Schedule I drugs have the highest abuse potential and no acknowledged medical use.
Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential and limited accepted medical use.
Schedule III-V drugs have a lower abuse potential and an accepted medical use.

Penalties for Drug Possession Charges in Florida

If you are convicted of a drug crime, the penalty will depend upon the charge Florida Statute § 893.13 describes criminal penalties for various charges in Leon County., :

Felony

1^st – Up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
2^nd – Up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
3^rd – Up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000

Misdemeanor

1^st – Up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000
2^nd – Up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500

Drug Resources

Rachel Hoffman – A Drug War Tragedy
Article written by NORML Deputy Director, Paul Armentano, published by Cannabis Culture issue # 72 in Fall 2008. On May 7, 2008, 23-year-old Florida State University student, Rachel Hoffman, was killed in a botched police sting operation while working as a confidential informant for the Tallahassee Police Department. She was killed with the weapon she was supposed to buy and robbed of the police money.
Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association
FADAA is a non-profit organization representing drug abuse and treatment centers throughout Florida.

FADAA Headquarters
2868 Mahan Drive, Suite 1
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(850) 878-2196
Federal Drug Penalties
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s page about federal penalties for possessing, trafficking and distributing controlled substances.

See Past Leon County Drug Case Results

Take a look at some outcomes and case results in Leon County drug cases we have handled recently.

Finding A Tallahassee Drug Defense Lawyer

If you have been caught in a Tallahassee drug bust or charged with a drug offense in Leon County, contact Pumphrey Law to discuss the facts of your particular situation. There may be defenses to your charge, and finding an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Tallahassee who is familiar with Florida drug laws might be your best option to avoid severe punishment.

The attorneys at Pumphrey Law will aggressively fight for your defense, and may be able to reduce your charges or have them dismissed. Contact us at (850) 681-7777 for a consultation.

[1] Arrest Totals and Index Arrests by County, 2016, Florida Department of Law Enforcement 4, https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Documents/PDF/arr_cnty16.aspx.

[2] Arrest Totals and Index Arrests by County, 2015, Florida Department of Law Enforcement 4, https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Documents/PDF/arr_cnty15.aspx.

This article was last updated on December 11, 2017

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Don Pumphrey, Jr.

Attorney Don Pumphrey, Jr. is a former prosecutor, former law enforcement officer, and a successful and experienced criminal defense attorney. Don has achieved over 100 not guilty verdicts at trial and over 2,000 dismissals.