A federal judge recently sentenced a man to more than two years in federal prison and another man to more than four years in separate drug cases. One of the individuals pleaded guilty to a drug crime which resulted in a sentence of several years in prison. The individuals were prosecuted by a special assistant who focuses on addressing regional trafficking organizations. The prosecuted has facilitated the charges of 39 drug trafficking cases resulting in 51 convictions. Because federal drug cases frequently involve penalties of up to 10 years in prison, individuals who are charged with federal drug crimes frequently find it essential to retain the services of a skilled attorney.

Types of Federal Drug Charges

There are several types of federal drug crimes with which an individual can be charged. Federal drugs crimes arise when the offenses occur on federal property or when the crime in question involves an undercover federal agent. These types of federal charges can also arise if individuals passed states lines while carrying the drugs. The most common federal drug charges include the following:

• Drug Conspiracy. These offenses involve attempting and promoting the distributing or manufacture of drugs.
• Drug Manufacturing. These types of offenses involve conducting activity that is designed to manufacture or distribute drugs.
• Drug Possession. This type of charge involves possession of controlled substances without a prescription. These offenses are often charged at the state level if the individual did not have the intent to distribute the drugs.
• Drug Trafficking. Trafficking can include distributing, manufacturing, or possessing drugs with the intent to distribute the drugs.

Penalties Due to Drug Crimes

Being charged with a federal drug crime can result in particularly severe penalties. For example, individuals who are charged with possession of drugs can face the following charges:

• Cocaine. Individuals who are found to possess an amount of cocaine between 500 and 4,999 grams can face up to 40 years in prison and substantial fines.
• Heroin. Being charged with possession of between 100 and 99 grams of heroin can result in up to 40 years in prison and large fines.
• Marijuana. Individuals who are arrested for possession of marijuana can face weighty fines and up to life in prison.

Potential Defenses

Fortunately, skilled legal counsel is often able to raise a number of defenses in response to federal drug charges, which include the following:

• Illegal Search and Seizure by Law Enforcement. Individuals are able to suppress evidence in a court of law if the evidence was illegally obtained by law enforcement.
• A Search Warrant Lacked Probable Cause. If the search warrant used to investigate an individual lacked probable cause, an individual can likely argue that evidence obtained due to the warrant should be suppressed.
• Failure to Prove Offense Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. If prosecution fails to prove that an individual is guilty of an offense beyond a reasonable doubt, an individual cannot be convicted of a drug offense.

Contact a Top Decatur Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a federal drug crime can result in particularly severe penalties. If you face federal drug charges, it is often a wise idea to immediately contact a skilled attorney who has helped many others in similar situations reach positive conclusions. Contact Federal Criminal Law Center by calling the firm at 404.633.3797 or completing an online form.