Drug Distribution Lawyer in Sarasota
Defending Distribution Charges in Sarasota Since 1993
Drug distribution charges are among the most aggressively prosecuted felony offenses in Florida, and a conviction carries consequences that reach far beyond prison time. At McIntosh Law, we’ve defended clients facing these charges since 1993, handling both state and federal cases throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. One client review on our drug crimes page describes 11 drug trafficking and possession-with-intent felonies being dropped through our representation. That result reflects the kind of thorough, case-specific defense our team builds.
We offer virtual consultations and flexible scheduling, including nights and weekends, and our staff includes bilingual support for Spanish-speaking clients.
Distribution charges can move quickly after an arrest. The sooner you have counsel, the more time we have to evaluate the evidence and identify weaknesses before key pretrial deadlines. Call McIntosh Law at (941) 299-0701 to schedule a consultation.
What Florida Law Defines as Drug Distribution
Under Florida Statute 893.13(1)(a), it is unlawful to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance, or to possess one with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver. The word “deliver” reaches further than most people expect: it covers actual, constructive, or attempted transfer, meaning charges can arise even when drugs never physically change hands.
Prosecutors don’t need to witness a transaction to charge distribution. Large amounts of cash, packaging materials, digital scales, and text messages all serve as circumstantial evidence supporting an intent-to-distribute theory. The schedule of the controlled substance involved heavily influences whether the charge is filed as a third-, second-, or first-degree felony.
Penalties for a Drug Distribution Conviction in Florida
The stakes are serious at every level. Under Florida Statute 893.13, the degree of the charge depends on the specific controlled substance involved. Sale or delivery of certain Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances is a second-degree felony, carrying up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Selling or delivering more than 10 grams of certain Schedule I substances can be elevated to a first-degree felony, with a potential sentence of up to 30 years. Many other controlled substances are charged as third-degree felonies.
Sentencing enhancements apply when the alleged distribution occurred within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare, church, park, or public housing facility. Distribution to a person under 18 carries enhanced penalties under Florida law, with severity depending on the substance involved. Beyond incarceration, a felony drug distribution conviction can mean loss of voting rights, suspension or revocation of a professional license, ineligibility for federal financial aid, and deportation risk for non-citizens. Employment and housing prospects can be permanently affected as well.
Skilled Defenders On Your Side Over 100 Years of Combined Experience
Here's What Sets Us Apart
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Deep Local Knowledge & Dedication
With over 25 years serving Manatee County, McIntosh Law is committed to defending our community’s rights with integrity.
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Powerful Team Approach
You don’t just get a lawyer—you get an entire team collaborating for your success. Our attorneys and paralegals have over 100+ years of combined experience.
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Strategic & Experienced Defense
Your case deserves a personalized strategy. Every team member has over twenty years in law, ensuring a skilled, thoughtful defense tailored to your specific case.
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Proven Success
Trusted by thousands, we know what it takes to navigate complex criminal cases, bringing experience and results-driven focus to every stage of your defense.
Defense Strategies in Drug Distribution Cases
No two drug distribution cases are identical. The strength of a defense depends on the specific facts: how the evidence was gathered, what the prosecution’s theory of intent relies on, and whether constitutional protections were respected during the investigation. Our team approaches each case by identifying where the state’s case is most vulnerable.
- Fourth Amendment suppression: If law enforcement conducted a search without a valid warrant or sufficient probable cause, we can move to suppress the drug evidence. A successful suppression motion may result in charges being dismissed entirely.
- Constructive possession challenges: When drugs were found in a shared location rather than on the defendant directly, the prosecution must prove knowing possession. If the defendant didn’t have exclusive access to that location, this theory can be contested.
- Drug quantity and lab challenges: The type and weight of the controlled substance must be proven. Errors in laboratory testing or breaks in the chain of custody can reduce charges or support dismissal.
- Entrapment: When a law enforcement officer or informant induced a defendant to participate in a distribution transaction the defendant wouldn’t otherwise have undertaken, entrapment may be a viable defense.
- Drug Court eligibility: In some cases, qualifying defendants may be eligible for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Drug Court program, which offers an alternative path involving treatment and supervision rather than incarceration.
Attorney Elizabeth J. Loeffler spent over two decades as a prosecutor before joining our team. That background gives us direct insight into how the state constructs distribution cases and where those cases tend to be vulnerable. Combined with our multi-attorney approach, her perspective contributes to a defense built around more than one legal viewpoint.
Defending Drug Distribution Charges in Sarasota Since 1993
We’ve practiced in Sarasota for more than 30 years, which means we know the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, the prosecutors who handle drug cases here, and the procedural dynamics that affect how these matters unfold. Our team’s combined experience across attorneys and paralegals totals over 100 years. Brett McIntosh holds a 9.9 Superb Avvo Rating, and Attorney Kevin Griffith has been with the firm for more than 10 years.
We handle both state drug distribution cases and federal charges, serve clients throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, and offer night, weekend, and virtual consultations. Bilingual support is available for Spanish-speaking clients.
Contact McIntosh Law About Your Drug Distribution Case
If you’re facing drug distribution charges in Sarasota or Manatee County, early action gives your defense team more time to review the evidence, challenge constitutional violations, and prepare before critical pretrial deadlines pass.
Call McIntosh Law at (941) 299-0701 or reach us through our online contact form to get started.
