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Criminal Defense Lawyer in Orlando, FL

LSD Trafficking Lawyer in Orlando, FL

LSD trafficking is a serious crime met with severe repercussions in the state of Florida. With the threshold amount set at just one (1) gram, even a small amount of LSD for personal use can lead to a trafficking conviction without a seasoned defense attorney on your side. If you’ve been accused of LSD trafficking and you’re in need of an Orlando lawyer, contact Hanlon Law today. 


What is Drug Trafficking?


Florida Statute 893.135 defines drug trafficking as the intentional “selling, manufacturing, purchasing, possessing, delivering, or transporting” of any illegal substance within the state. This includes drug importation, where drugs are brought into Florida that did not originate within the state. 


For each illegal substance, statute 893.135 goes on to describe a minimum quantity that must be involved in order for the situation to qualify as trafficking. The statue also lists a series of mandatory minimum sentences for certain quantities above that original minimum. 


What is LSD? 


Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogen known for inducing an intense high. Physically speaking, LSD symptoms include a loss of appetite, dilation of the pupils, dry mouth, body tremors, and elevated body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. 


While these are not insignificant, the true danger lies in psychological effects. Within the first hour after ingestion, LSD can lead to mood changes and visual hallucinations that distort the size and shape of objects, depth perception, perception of movement, colors, sound, touch, and body image. Decision-making and judgment are severely impaired, as all five senses are unpredictably impacted. Perception of danger is also muted, often leading to physical harm. In overdose situations, these effects are compounded, often leading to psychosis and even death.


After the effects of LSD wear off, acute anxiety and depression are known to manifest, along with Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, in which “flashbacks” occur where the altered state of mind induced by the drug temporarily returns. These episodes have been reported to occur days, and even months, after ingestion. 


LSD is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. To be considered Schedule I, the substance must have a high potential for abuse, usually due to high addictiveness. It must also have no currently accepted medical application in the United States, meaning it is not legally used in any form of medical treatment. Lastly, Schedule I substances must also be declared to have no safe use under medical supervision, meaning that even with a doctor’s oversight, the substance is still highly dangerous. 


As a Schedule I substance, LSD can only be produced illegally, usually in clandestine labs across the country. The drug itself is odorless and colorless, and is generally distributed as tablets, saturated sugar cubes, saturated absorbent paper, or as a liquid. 


Common street names for LSD include Acid, Blotter Acid, Dots, Mellow Yellow, and Window Pane.


What Are the Consequences of LSD Trafficking? 


With no accepted medical application and the high potential for abuse, LSD is met with severe measures. Florida Statute 893.135 lists the minimum quantity of LSD required in order for a situation to constitute trafficking as just one (1) gram. This includes any mixture of that amount that contains LSD. 


LSD trafficking charges are a first-degree felony. Judges are not entitled to discretion in departing lower than the mandatory minimum sentence outlined by Florida Law for the amount of the drug involved. 


Felonies also come with long-term consequences outside the courts, including difficulties securing housing, educational opportunities, employment, professional licensure, and more.


Mandatory Minimum Sentences for LSD Trafficking

Amount of LSD Imprisonment Fine
1 - 5 grams 3 year minimum $50,000
5 - 7 grams 7 year minimum $100,000
7 grams or more 15 calendar year minimum $500,000

In addition, if the defendant is found to have trafficked 7 or more grams of LSD, or a mixture containing LSD, knowing the probable result would be the death of any person, they can be convicted of a capital felony. Capital felonies are punishable by life imprisonment without parole, or even the death penalty. 


Experienced Drug Crime Defense Attorneys In Orlando


Despite the rather bleak outlook for convicted LSD traffickers, there are many avenues of defense a seasoned attorney might take. Unless the drugs were found on your person, the evidence of possession is circumstantial, and can be contested. Additionally, any violations of your constitutional rights in the process of obtaining evidence can get that evidence thrown out. Florida Law also mandates that drug trafficking must be done “knowingly.” Intent can be difficult if not all but impossible to definitively prove, and the prosecution must show that you intentionally engaged in trafficking in order to secure a conviction. 


There are many opportunities both in and out of the courtroom to advocate on your behalf. That’s why it’s vital to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. At Hanlon Law, we bring nearly 20 years of experience to the table. Our team will examine every shred of evidence and consider all the options to help execute the best possible defense. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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