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

* Statistics Verified by County Clerk of Court Documents

Read More
Client Testimonials
  • "Don Pumphrey is a very respectable and trustworthy person" by Alejandro M.
  • "If your college kid makes a mistake this is the attorney you need" by Anonymous (AVVO Review), Parent of 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
  • "If you have a fight on your hands, you want Don Pumphrey in your corner." by D. Williams, Past Client
  • "Today, my relative is no longer in the system, having to report on a weekly basis, graduated college & gone on with his carer, having avoided prison - Thanks to Don Pumphrey JR." by Donna J., Relative of Past Client
  • "[Don] is honest, truthful and the person you want in your corner." by J. Williams, Past Client
  • "Saved my life best lawyer ever!" by Jacob S., 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 helped me to not only get through my court case, he also helped me put it behind me so that I may continue to move forward with my life. If you choose him to represent you, he will NOT let you down. " by Kevin M., Past 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
  • "The best in the Southeast!" by Mike T., Past Client
  • " Look no further and trust you child's case to Don Pumphrey. Please don't allow your child to settle for less. " by R.O., Parent of Past Client
  • "Look no further and trust you child's case to Don Pumphrey. Please don't allow your child to settle for less. Kids will grow and learn but a bad legal decision will impact your child forever." by Rosanna O., Former Client
  • "He worked relentlessly to achieve the best possible outcome in my circumstances. " by T.K., Past 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]


Back to top

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:


Back to top

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.

Back to top

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

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

Misdemeanor

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

Back to top

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.


Back to top

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

Back to Top