Federal and Major Felony Drug Trafficking

Since the 1980’s, federal and major felony drug trafficking charges have been met with severe and extensive penalties. Whether you’re being charged with marijuana possession with the intent to distribute, or manufacturing methamphetamines, the sooner you talk to a lawyer who has experience successfully representing clients accused of federal drug crimes, the better. It’s important to understand that even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘drug trafficker,’ the eyes of the law might see your situation differently. In some cases, it really doesn’t take a very large amount of a certain type of drug to get you locked up for five, ten or more years behind bars. Not everybody’s standard of amount of drugs for personal use match’s the government’s standard either, so if you’re facing any kind of federal or major felony drug trafficking charge, speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

What Exactly Is Drug Trafficking?

Drug trafficking is kind of an ambiguous legal term. Most people might think of drug traffickers as people literally moving drugs across state lines or actively manufacturing or distributing drugs. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly the case. A wide variety of situations and circumstances can be classified as ‘drug trafficking’ by the government. Even if you think you only have enough marijuana for personal use, the federal drug sentencing guidelines might say otherwise. Listed below are a few different practices that can fall under the umbrella of ‘drug trafficking.’

What Can be Considered Drug Trafficking? 

• Possessing a certain amount of a drug 
• Manufacturing 
• Distributing 
• Dispensing 
• Possession with the intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense 
• Trafficking 

Possession vs Trafficking 

One of the largest distinctions between lesser misdemeanor possession crimes and federal and major felony drug trafficking charges is the amount or quantity of drugs involved with the arrest. For example, if you have 30 grams or less of marijuana, that’s a misdemeanor in Mississippi. If you have between 1 and 9 grams mixture of LSD, you could be looking at a mandatory minimum of five years behind bars for your first offense. Have more than 10 grams, and you’re looking at not less than 10 years right out of the gate. These aren’t even factoring in other possible charges or circumstances associated with your individual case.

What Are Mandatory Minimums? 

Mandatory minimums are laws designed to lock what are mostly, non-violent drug offenders up behind bars for extended periods of time. A mandatory minimum sentence is the guideline for the potential penalties and punishments one might face if convicted of a certain drug crime. These laws take discretion out of the courtroom. The circumstances of your individual case are essentially non-existent. These laws are automatically set. You know what you’re facing if convicted, whether you’re a first time offender or non-violent or you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The mandatory minimums throw the human condition and possible sentencing discretion out the window, and this is why it is absolutely essential to have a skilled and proven criminal defense attorney working your case.

Potential Penalties for Federal and Major Felony Drug Trafficking 

These aren’t minor possession charges. Federal and major felony drug trafficking charges do hold very severe penalties. You could be fined up to millions of dollars and face up to life in prison, depending upon the circumstances of your case and what charges you’re facing. Federal drug and major felony drug trafficking cases are high stakes. Everything is on the line here, including your future. Your only option for the best possible outcome on your case is getting in touch with a criminal defense attorney with proven successful felony drug case experience.