FEDERAL DRUG CRIMES

Getting convicted of a federal drug crime can land you behind bars for a decade or longer. Fewer crimes have harsher penalties than federal drug crimes. Even non-violent, first time offenders can face lengthy prison sentences, if convicted. Thanks to mandatory minimums and the War on Drugs, convicted offenders can look forward to extremely harsh penalties and sentences. Don’t count on the judge or jury taking your specific circumstances or unique situation into account. In many cases, once convicted, their hands are tied. Your best bet when facing federal drug crime charges is to speak with a proven criminal defense attorney as soon after your arrest as possible. You need somebody with federal case experience too.

Different Types of Federal Drug Crimes

• Drug trafficking 
• Drug distribution 
• Drug manufacturing 
• Drug conspiracy 
• Possession in certain cases

The War on Drugs

The War on Drugs has become a popular slogan for what are essentially an outdated and draconian set of laws designed to incarcerate people in a for-profit prison system. Sure, on the surface, the “War on Drugs” sounds like something everybody can get behind, but when you take a closer look, you might find these laws outdated and unnecessarily harsh. In many cases, they take the judge’s discretion right out of the equation. Defendants are defined by how much of what drug they had on them, regardless of circumstances or whether or not any weapons were used or violent acts committed. With more and more states legalizing marijuana, both medicinally and recreationally, it’s hard to imagine that somebody can still get locked up for life because of a little weed.

Mandatory Minimums

Mandatory minimums are the sentencing laws associated with the War on Drugs. These sentencing laws take all discretion out of sentencing. If you’re sentenced under a mandatory minimum law, you have to serve the minimum sentence. There is no getting out early for good behavior. There is no taking your unique individual circumstance under advisement. Go directly to jail, and do not pass “Go.”

Lengthy Prison Sentences

In addition to hefty fines, many prison sentences associated with federal drug crimes can also be incredibly harsh lengthy. Depending on how much of what type of drug you were found with, you could be facing years or even decades behind bars. It won’t even matter if this is your first criminal offense. A spotless record does not help you where federal drug charges are involved, that’s why it’s so essential to have a skilled, experienced and proven federal drug case lawyer on your side.

What About Non-Violent Offenders?

Non-violent offenders rarely get a break where federal drug crimes are concerned. The system doesn’t care if you didn’t have a weapon. The system doesn’t care if you didn’t hurt anybody. All that matters is the amount of drugs involved and which types, with special emphasis on harshly punishing those with drugs typically associated with lower socio-economic classes, like crack cocaine and methamphetamines.

Federal Versus State Drug Crimes

Drug cases in federal court are exceedingly more complicated than cases in local and state courts. It’s absolutely critical to have a lawyer with successful federal drug case experience. Procedurally, federal cases are also much more difficult than state cases. The stakes are higher too, so you need somebody with experience in your corner. Ask your potential lawyer how many cases they’ve won, in court, where federal drug charges were involved. It’s essential to have an experienced and proven lawyer on your side.