West Palm Beach Drug Defense Attorney – Palm Beach County
The Law Office of Roger P. Foley represents individuals charged with drug offenses in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County. Our firm focuses on criminal defense, particularly drug cases, and provides serious, detail-driven advocacy. Clients rely on us for defense strategies that protect their freedom, reduce exposure, and maximize options at every stage of a case.
- Types of Drug Cases We Defend
- Proven Results in Florida Drug Cases
- Arrested for a Drug Offense in Palm Beach County
- High-Penalty Controlled Substances in Florida
- Florida Drug Schedules
- Defending Drug Cases in West Palm Beach
- Consultation and Case Review Information
- Choosing the Right Attorney
- Frequently Asked Questions
We have experience defending clients in virtually every type of Florida drug offense, including:
- Simple possession
- Possession with intent to sell
- Distribution and delivery of controlled substances
- Manufacturing and cultivation of drugs
- Marijuana grow house operations
- Trafficking
- Cases involving confidential informants and undercover operations
- Investigations including surveillance, audio and video recordings, and tracked communications
Our team has defended clients in cases where informants recorded audio or video, where undercover officers conducted controlled purchases, and where law enforcement used multi-camera surveillance or GPS tracking. No matter the complexity of the investigation, we know how to navigate the evidence, challenge credibility, and protect our clients’ rights.
Proven Results in Florida Drug Cases
Over the years, we have achieved results such as
- Reduction of trafficking charges to attempted trafficking or possession. It is important to note that attempted trafficking is a third-degree felony rather than a first-degree felony and carries no mandatory minimum sentence
- Negotiated reductions in mandatory minimum sentences, including cases where seven-year minimums were reduced to three years or to alternative sentences such as house arrest
- Dismissals following motions to suppress illegal searches or procedural violations
- Reduction of drug weights or reclassification to avoid harsher penalties
- Treatment-based resolutions addressing documented addiction
- Use of mitigation packages to humanize clients and provide context for the court
- Successful negotiations considering employment, family responsibilities, and rehabilitative progress
- Challenging informant reliability, surveillance accuracy, and undercover procedures
These outcomes come from thousands of hours in court, in-person negotiations with prosecutors, and a thorough understanding of Florida’s courts and legal processes.
Arrested for a Drug Offense in Palm Beach County
Drug arrests can have long-lasting consequences. Even a misdemeanor can result in jail time, fines, mandatory treatment, community service, and suspension of a driver’s license for up to two years. Felony charges, including possession with intent, distribution, manufacturing, cultivation, or trafficking, carry much more severe penalties. Mandatory minimum sentences apply in many cases, depending on the substance and amount involved.
Every case is different, and the law provides multiple avenues for defense. Careful review of searches, seizure procedures, informant credibility, undercover operations, evidence weight, and constitutional concerns can create opportunities for charge reduction or dismissal. Additional factors such as scales, baggies, rubber bands, and large amounts of cash are often considered by prosecutors and courts when evaluating charges and bond. The severity of penalties also depends on the type of substance; for example, fentanyl and other potent opioids carry much higher statutory penalties than marijuana due to their extreme risk and lethality.
High-Penalty Controlled Substances in Florida
Trafficking any controlled substance in Florida is classified as a first-degree felony. Certain drugs, however, carry especially severe consequences due to potency, public safety risk, and statutory thresholds. Even relatively small amounts can result in significant exposure, high bail, or danger hearings.
Key examples include
- Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs – Extremely potent opioids. Trafficking charges can arise with small amounts because of lethality and risk to public safety. Law enforcement often considers packaging, scales, and cash as evidence of distribution
- Heroin – Schedule I narcotic with strict statutory penalties
- Cocaine and Crack Cocaine – Trafficking charges depend on quantity but are always first-degree felonies
- Methamphetamine and Other Stimulants – Highly addictive substances subject to severe penalties depending on trafficking thresholds
- Other Opioids (Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Morphine) – Trafficking and distribution carry harsh penalties depending on quantity and formulation
Trafficking is often presumed based on quantity because consuming or carrying large amounts is unsafe. For example, possession of a pound of fentanyl is extremely serious since only a tiny fraction is lethal. Marijuana and other lower-risk substances generally require much larger quantities to trigger trafficking charges.
Florida Drug Schedules
- Schedule I - Substances with no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. Examples include heroin, MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and peyote
- Schedule II - Substances with accepted medical use but high risk of dependence. Examples include cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine
- Schedule III - Substances with moderate potential for abuse. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and certain controlled prescription drugs
- Schedule IV - Substances with lower potential for dependence. Examples include diazepam, mild sedatives, and some muscle relaxants
- Schedule V - Substances with minimal risk of abuse. Includes diluted mixtures such as certain cough syrups and over-the-counter controlled combinations
Defending Drug Cases in West Palm Beach
A successful defense requires a detailed examination of every element of a drug case. This includes assessing probable cause, legality of searches, reliability of informants, undercover operations, surveillance techniques, chain of custody, lab testing, and the accuracy of drug weights. Mitigation strategies, including treatment documentation, employment history, family responsibilities, and rehabilitation progress, often influence prosecutorial discretion and outcomes.
Consultation and Case Review Information
Our office offers several options to begin building a defense
- Standard Consultation - A $150 consultation provides up to 50 minutes of attorney time to review your case, discuss charges, and outline possible strategies
- After-Hours and Weekend Consultations - For clients needing flexibility, consultations outside business hours are $450
- Second Opinions / Case Reviews - For clients who have already retained another attorney or law firm, we offer comprehensive reviews of discovery, videos, and case materials. Second Opinion Reviews start at $1,500 depending on the complexity of the case
Choosing the Right Attorney
Take the time to research your attorney before hiring. Many clients come to us after spending significant money with another attorney or law firm and feeling dissatisfied. Experience, knowledge, and courtroom skill make a meaningful difference. Do not rely on billboards or paid ads. Choose a lawyer with proven experience, insight, and the ability to navigate the courts effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Do not speak to law enforcement. Contact a defense attorney immediately so the case can be evaluated before evidence or deadlines are missed
Not always. Many cases can be negotiated to avoid mandatory minimums or reduce charges
Yes. Informants’ credibility, motivation, and reliability are always reviewed closely
Yes. Unconstitutional searches may lead to suppression of evidence and possible dismissal
Yes. Addiction and documented rehabilitative progress can influence prosecutorial decisions and sentencing
Statewide Representation
Although our office is based in South Florida, we accept drug defense cases in any Florida county. No matter where your case arises, if you retain our services, we commit to providing the same level of dedicated, aggressive defense. Our experience covers Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Martin Counties where we have handled drug cases, ensuring that every client receives focused advocacy and strategic representation
Contact the Law Office of Roger P. FoleyIf you have been charged with possession, intent to sell, distribution, cultivation, manufacturing, or trafficking in West Palm Beach or anywhere in Palm Beach County, contact the Law Office of Roger P. Foley. Early involvement often provides the most opportunities to protect your rights and future
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