GHB is a potent sedative, and it is sometimes used to facilitate sex crimes. It can stay in a user's urine for 8-12 hours. Often, GHB analogs are used to make it. The predominant users of GHB are adolescents in high school. Even college students and young adults use it less than people in high school do. If you are being investigated for this crime, you should be aware that lawmakers, officers, prosecutors, and courts take the situation seriously, so you should consult an experienced Bradenton GHB trafficking lawyer. At Hanlon Law, we protect the rights of the accused.
Issues Involving GHB TraffickingA prosecutor can get a conviction for GHB trafficking if they can show beyond a reasonable doubt that you: (1) knowingly (2) possessed, bought, sold, delivered, made, or imported into the state (3) 1 kg. or more of GHB or a GHB-containing mixture. GHB trafficking convictions come with mandatory minimum sentences. The weight of the GHB will determine the precise mandatory minimum sentence.
When 1 kg. - 5 kg. of GHB is involved in a charge, you may receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years in prison, as well as a $50,000 fine. When 5 kg. - 10 kg. of GHB is involved in a charge, you may receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. When 10 kg. of GHB or more is involved, you may receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 calendar years and a $250,000 fine. When a prosecutor is able to show that you knowingly manufactured or imported into Florida at least 150 kg., and you knew that the probable result of this conduct would be someone's death, you will be sentenced for capital manufacture or importation of GHB. You can face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or a death sentence.
Since young people are often the people consuming GHB, minors are sometimes asked by adults to carry drugs. If you ask a minor to carry drugs as part of your GHB trafficking, you may face child abuse charges in addition to GHB trafficking charges. A GHB trafficking attorney in the Bradenton area can help you fight all of the charges that you are facing.
On the other hand, if you are under the age of 21 on the date of sentencing, you may be eligible for youthful offender sentencing, which is less drastic than mandatory minimum sentencing. The court can choose to impose youthful offender sentencing when: (1) you are less than 21, (2) you were found guilty or pled nolo contendere or guilty to a non-capital or felony crime not involving a life sentence, and (3) you have not previously been a beneficiary of youthful offender sentencing.
A Bradenton GHB trafficking attorney can examine the situation closely to see what a strong defense strategy would be. Like other crimes, GHB trafficking must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In some cases, it is appropriate to cast doubt on the credibility of witnesses or to challenge the constitutionality of an investigation or arrest. For example, if GHB was found in your car during an illegal search, it may be possible to file a motion to suppress the GHB. Even if you are not able to suppress it, if the charge is that you constructively possessed GHB, it may be possible to argue that you did not have control or dominion over the GHB that was seized. Mere proximity to the GHB would not be sufficient to show control or dominion if there are multiple occupants of a car or home where GHB was found.
Hire a GHB Trafficking Lawyer in Bradenton to Protect Your RightsGHB is often smuggled into the country from Mexico, Canada, and Europe. It is often distributed at raves and nightclubs, as well as at school campuses and over the Internet. Often, it is packaged and sold to teenagers, an activity that can add further harsh consequences to an already very serious charge. If you have been charged with GHB trafficking in Bradenton, you should retain a tough and experienced lawyer like our firm's founder, Will Hanlon, who has represented the accused since 1994. You can call Hanlon Law at 941.253.0254 or submit our online form.