Most drug possession cases in Naples start with a traffic stop, a search of a car or home, or pills found without a valid prescription. The key defense questions are whether the search was legal, whether the person knew about and controlled the substance, and whether the lab results hold up. Possession above certain weights becomes trafficking. The Naples attorneys below defend possession charges in Collier County.
1. The Caldarone Law Group, P.A.
- Attorney: Justin P. Caldarone, Esq.
- Address: 2500 Airport Road South, Suite 307, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 420-7205
- Website: caldaronelawgroup.com
- Practice Focus: Drug possession, drug crimes, drug trafficking, post-conviction relief
- Experience: Former Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade County; J.D., Northeastern (2002)
- Languages: Spanish and Haitian Creole spoken
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (70 reviews)
- Google Business Profile: View on Google Maps
- Social Profiles: Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram
About: The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. handles these cases through its Naples drug possession practice. Justin P. Caldarone earned his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2002 and tried hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases as a Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney. He looks first at whether police violated the law in the search or questioning, a common path to suppression in possession cases, and whether the State can prove knowledge and control. When a case ends favorably, the firm also offers record relief for eligible clients. Spanish and Haitian Creole are spoken.
2. Cavanaugh & Cavanaugh, P.A.
- Attorneys: Daniel M. Cavanaugh, Shayna K. Cavanaugh
- Address: 2180 Immokalee Rd, Suite 309, Naples, FL 34110
- Phone: (239) 309-2006
- Website: cavanaughattorneys.com
- Practice Focus: Drug possession, drug crimes, drug court, diversion
- Experience: ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist; former prosecutor
About: Daniel M. Cavanaugh moved to Naples in 1997 and has tried cases for more than 25 years after serving as a Lee County prosecutor and Chief Assistant State Attorney for Hendry and Glades Counties. His ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation (2022) is useful when a possession case depends on lab identification. The firm keeps a dedicated drug possession page, works with drug court and diversion programs, and handles sealing and expungement afterward. Spanish is spoken.
3. Verderamo Law
- Attorneys: J. Derek Verderamo, Adam Carney
- Address: 2662 Airport-Pulling Rd S, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 775-1004
- Website: verderamolaw.com
- Practice Focus: Drug charges, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
About: Verderamo Law is led by J. Derek Verderamo and Adam Carney, with offices in Naples and Fort Myers. Its dedicated page for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription addresses a common Naples charge involving pills, alongside general drug charge and trafficking pages. Derek Verderamo previously practiced at Verderamo & Nunez and Verderamo & Escobar and belongs to the Collier County and Florida criminal defense lawyers associations. Free confidential consultations are offered.
4. Timothy E. Moffitt, Esq., LLC
- Attorney: Timothy E. Moffitt
- Address: 501 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL 34102
- Phone: (239) 298-6538
- Practice Focus: Drug possession, trafficking, criminal appeals
About: Timothy E. Moffitt (Florida Bar No. 613711) lists drug possession first among his criminal practice areas, along with trafficking, DUI, and domestic violence. He accepts felonies and misdemeanors, handles appeals, and also offers expungement. Google reviewers describe clear, prompt communication.
5. Day, Gorman & Hopkins, PLLC
- Attorneys: Donald P. Day Jr., Thomas R. Gorman III, Michael E. Hopkins
- Address: 3550 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 529-6053
- Practice Focus: Drug crimes, expungement, criminal defense
- Experience: All attorneys are former Twentieth Circuit prosecutors
About: Donald P. Day Jr., Thomas R. Gorman III, and Michael E. Hopkins all prosecuted cases for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit before turning to defense, and their office sits within walking distance of the Collier County Courthouse. Thomas Gorman lists drug crimes and expungement among his practice areas and holds an AV Preeminent rating. A reviewer says Donald Day got the most serious charges dismissed in two separate cases.
6. Nico J. Vitale, P.A.
- Attorney: Nico J. Vitale
- Address: 2681 Airport-Pulling Rd S, Suite C107, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 774-9900
- Practice Focus: Drug crimes, expungement, criminal defense
About: Nico J. Vitale runs Nico J. Vitale, P.A. on Airport-Pulling Road and belongs to the Collier County and Florida criminal defense lawyers associations. His listed practice includes drug crimes and expungement, so he can handle both the charge and later record relief. Reviewers describe him as attentive, efficient, and confident in court.
7. Law Offices of Jose Nunez, Jr.
- Attorney: Jose Nunez, Jr.
- Address: 3606 Enterprise Ave, Suite 226, Naples, FL 34104
- Phone: (239) 260-4699
- Practice Focus: Drug charges, criminal defense
- Experience: Former Assistant State Attorney in Naples and Fort Myers
About: Jose Nunez, Jr. grew up in Naples and served as an Assistant State Attorney in Naples and Fort Myers, handling thousands of misdemeanor cases and trying felonies. He spent four years as a partner at Verderamo & Nunez before opening his own firm, which lists drug charges among its core areas. He belongs to FACDL, NACDL, and the Collier County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
8. Musca Law (Naples)
- Attorney: John Patrick Musca and team
- Address: 3375 Tamiami Trail E, Suite 200, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 793-5297
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, expungement
About: Musca Law, led by John Patrick Musca, is a statewide defense firm describing more than 150 combined years of experience, with two Naples offices on Tamiami Trail East and Davis Boulevard. It lists expungement among its Naples practice areas, and its phones are answered around the clock. A Google reviewer credits the firm with the lowest possible outcome and charges removed from the record.
9. Law Firm of Scott T. Moorey
- Attorney: Scott T. Moorey
- Address: 2663 Airport Rd S, Suite D108, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 388-2959
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense, expungement
About: Scott T. Moorey has about 27 years of Florida criminal defense experience and practices on Airport Road near the courthouse complex. He lists criminal defense, DUI, and expungement, pairing defense work with record sealing for eligible clients. Google reviewers describe a responsive, straightforward team.
10. Law Offices of Mark A. Casassa
- Attorney: Mark A. Casassa
- Address: 2671 Airport-Pulling Rd S, Suite 301, Naples, FL 34112
- Phone: (239) 417-0999
- Practice Focus: Criminal defense
- Experience: Licensed for more than 40 years
About: Mark A. Casassa has been licensed for more than 40 years and focuses on criminal defense and DUI. Clients describe trial wins, a dismissal after a wrongful arrest, and a sentencing where the client avoided jail. One reviewer has referred clients to him for 15 to 20 years in Naples and Fort Myers.
Collier County Drug Possession Courts
- Misdemeanor possession: Collier County Court; felony possession: Collier County Circuit Court. Both sit at the Collier County Courthouse, 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Naples.
- Records: Collier County Clerk of Courts
About This List
The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. sponsors this article and appears first. The other nine firms have Naples offices, public Google Business Profiles, and criminal defense practices; the first six show drug-specific practice areas. Ratings were recorded on October 19, 2026. This list is not a ranking. Verify credentials through The Florida Bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged if the drugs were not on me?
Yes. Florida recognizes constructive possession, where the State claims you knew about the substance and could control it, such as drugs in a shared car. Proving knowledge and control is often the central dispute.
Is having someone else's prescription pills a crime?
Possessing a controlled prescription drug without your own valid prescription can be charged as possession of a controlled substance.
Can evidence be thrown out?
If police searched without a warrant, consent, or a valid exception, a judge may suppress the evidence, which can end the case.
When does possession become trafficking?
Under Statute 893.135, larger amounts trigger trafficking, such as 28 grams of cocaine, 4 grams of fentanyl, or 14 grams of methamphetamine, counting the total mixture weight.
Is diversion available for possession?
Some first-time or lower-level possession cases may qualify for diversion or drug court, depending on the charge and record.
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