Trial Lawyer & Criminal Defense Attorney for Drug Crimes

Robert Hambrick has successfully represented clients in federal drug crime investigations and in district & federal courts in Florida and throughout the United States. He has helped clients avoid indictments, obtain bail, and secure not guilty verdicts at trial.  He has also successfully negotiated lenient plea agreements, securing the earliest release possible.

Federal law in the United Stages prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, and possession with the intent to manufacture or distribute a wide variety of controlled substances including cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, PCP, LSD and cannbis / marijuana.  You can also be prosecuted if you have used your home or telephone to facilitate a federal drug crime.  Depending on the quantity of narcotics involved and the criminal history of the person charged, A violator may receive severe penalties and often include mandatory minimum sentences of 5, 10, or 20 years imprisonment. Some federal drug crimes can also carry life imprisonment.

Robert Hambrick understands the strategies necessary to mount a successful defense of federal drug crimes.  Federal agents often use informants, surveillance and wiretaps over many months of investigation and may involve arrests before any indictments are even sought.  If you have been arrested and released, you may still be charged at a later date.  Property, cash and vehicles are frequently seized, and bank accounts frozen.  You may even be held without bail while defending the charges.  The Federal criminal justice system is highly complex and the stakes are always high. 

It was only a joint!

In Florida, possession of 20 or fewer grams of marijuana is just a misdemeanor but it could result in loss of eligibility for student grants and loans, be a part of your permanent record that you are required to disclose on all types of applications.  Why worry when you fill out a job application that a misdemeanor marijuana conviction will have to be disclosed to your future employer?

Call now to see if it is possible to resolve the charges without a conviction.  When Robert Hambrick agrees to take a case, his task is to array and assert evidence decisively and immediately to persuade the police and prosecutors to reduce, amend or drop the marijuana charges. You may be eligible for first-offender treatment, have a marijuana search and seizure issue that dismisses the case or any number of reasons to keep you from being sentenced for life and required to explain, "It was only a joint!".

It was barely an ounce!

Which is ten grams above the marijuana as a misdemeanor law which means you could face more serious charges such as possession with intent to sell, drug sales and delivery, or drug trafficking.  Florida's penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana are among the nation's toughest and many continue to be denied housing, the right to vote, professional licensing, even the ability to adopt in the future or volunteer in their child's school.  Many employers including the government not only have blanket policies about hiring any one with a conviction but you could even be suspended from your current job or lose a professional certificate if convicted.  If you've been arrested for marijuana in the Clearwater/Pinellas county area, call Robert today and protect your future.
 
Under Florida law, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Possession of greater than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Possession of 25 or more plants (formerly 300 plants) is prima facie evidence of intent to sell or distribute, and is a second degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

PUT INTO A TABLE:

Marijuana Possession & Personal Use Penalties & Punishments in the State of Florida:
Possession/ Severity of Crime/ Incarceration/ Fine
20 g or less ~ misdemeanor ~ 1 year ~ $1,000
More than 20 g ~ felony ~ 5 years ~ $5,000
25 or more plants (formerly 300 plants) ~ felony ~ 15 years ~ $10,000
Paraphernalia possession ~ misdemeanor ~ 1 year ~ $1,000

Significant Cases in the media:

1. At Trial Tampa Federal Court, Federal Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine with potential life imprisonment. Defendant caught with 3.5 tons (yes, tons) of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1 billion. After a six week Trial by Jury, the verdict for Robert Hambrick's client, a citizen of Lithuania: Not Guilty. Hambrick recieves letter of thanks and praise from the Ambassador of Lithuania. (View Letter from the Ambassador)

2. At Trial Tampa Federal Court, Federal Conspiracy to Manufacture Marijuana at multiple Marijuana Grow Houses with potential 20 years of incarceration: All Charges against Robert Hambrick's client Dissmissed after Motion from the Defense, the Government having failed to prove it's case. (Tampa Tribune Article)

Clearwater Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Hambrick's Blog: Your Best Legal Help Advice & Counsel -- A Guide to Crime Investigation & Evidence Evaluation Arrest Dismissal or Trial: From a Seasoned Pinellas & Tampa Bay Defense Lawyer

Robert Hambrick possesses the specialized set of skills to properly defend you in a federal drug investigation during the investigation stage and/or in district court if you have been formally charged.  Call Robert at 727 365-5555 today for a free and confidential assessment of your case.