Facing federal drug charges can be a daunting matter, carrying severe penalties and potentially life-altering repercussions if convicted. Federal prosecutors are adept at constructing strong cases, making it imperative to have an experienced Scottsdale federal drug crimes lawyer by your side throughout the process. You will want to act quickly if you are dealing with federal drug charges so your legal representative can begin working on your case as soon as possible.
Arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with Suzuki Law Offices to explore your legal rights and options moving forward. Our defense team is skilled in handling federal cases and has a proven track record of successful cases. Get in contact with a Scottsdale federal crimes lawyer and begin building your case today.
Federal Drug Crimes Charges
If you have been charged with a federal drug crime, our Scottsdale criminal defense lawyer will let you know what those charges entail. Federal drug crimes include any illegal activities relating to the manufacturing, distribution, and possession of controlled substances, typically in large quantities or within an organized group of people. Federal criminal charges can also involve trafficking drugs across state lines where multiple states would have to prosecute.
Key in the discussion of federal drug crimes is the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. These laws established mandatory minimum sentencing, which associates imprisonment with the Schedule of drugs and the amount in possession. Controlled substances were also established in different classes through these laws, or Schedules.
Schedules are ranked based on their risk of misuse or addiction and their ability to cause harm. Schedule 1 is the top category with the most risk, potential for misuse, and is prosecuted at the highest level; it includes drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and LSD. Schedule IV is the lowest category typically prosecuted at the federal level with the least amount of risk, potential for misuse, and is prosecuted at a much lower level; this category includes drugs like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Ambien.
Types of Federal Drug Charges
Federal drug charges for first offenses are much lower than repeat offenders, and will have significantly less time in prison and fines associated with sentencing. If you are a repeat offender, it is important to get a Scottsdale federal drug crimes attorney working on your defense as soon as possible. With their assistance, you may be able to beat the charges completely, have the charges dismissed due to mistakes in the arrest, or at least reduce sentencing through proof of mitigating factors.
The mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses in the federal system can be harsh, with long sentences in the federal system. Statutory exceptions can provide reduced sentencing even with mandatory minimum penalties applied. Here are some common charges and the associated minimum sentencing:
- Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription with a prior conviction has a minimum sentence of no less than 15 days of incarceration and a fine of $2,500 with a maximum prison sentence of two years.
- Manufacturing, selling, or distributing controlled substances like 10 grams or more of LSD is a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 10 years, which will go up to 20 if your crime causes death or serious bodily injury. A fine of up to $10,000,000 is possible as well.
- Manufacturing, selling, or distributing controlled substances such as 100 grams of heroin or 5 grams of methamphetamines comes with no less than 5 years in prison, with a maximum of 40 years. Fines of up to $5,000,000 may also be applied.
How a Federal Drug Crimes Lawyer in Scottsdale Can Help
A federal drug crimes attorney in Scottsdale will play a crucial role in defending a person who has been accused of federal drug law violations. Having experience and specific knowledge about the complexities of the federal legal system and federal prosecutors, a criminal defense lawyer differs from your typical state-level defense. They will fight for your case and assist you as much as they can with a variety of defense strategies, negotiation, and reducing sentencing.
Defensive strategies against federal drug charges start with challenging the evidence and questioning the legality of how any evidence was obtained, with the goal of getting it dismissed. Another tactic is to prove that there was no intent to distribute or sell the drugs that were in the defendant’s possession. Questioning the credibility of witnesses and the testimonies of informants, as well as questioning the way the arrest was made, could also undermine the entire case or get it completely dismissed.
If the case continues to bring good evidence against the defendant, negotiating a plea deal or attempting to reduce sentencing might be a better approach. An experienced federal drug crime lawyer in Scottsdale can help negotiate a reduced sentence or lighter charges in exchange for a guilty plea. Mitigating factors can also be brought up to reduce sentencing, which might include the defendant’s lack of criminal record or what their role in the offense might have been.
Damaging Consequences of a Conviction
In addition to fines and prison time, federal drug convictions can lead to other life-altering consequences due to the permanent mark on a background check or other factors. You could face losing professional licenses, difficulty in finding work, becoming ineligible for some types of financial assistance, and more.
Other collateral consequences might include trouble finding housing, as many landlords conduct background checks. A non-citizen might face deportation or removal proceedings, which could affect their ability to obtain long-term legal residency or citizenship. Voting rights may temporarily be suspended depending on the type of conviction received.
A felony conviction can lead to complicated and life-altering repercussions. If you are facing federal drug charges, be sure to speak with an experienced federal drug crimes lawyer who has experience with similar cases. The rest of your life could change depending on the outcome of your trial.
Get Help from a Federal Drug Crimes Attorney in Scottsdale
We are dedicated to providing compassionate, experienced legal service to our clients and will fight for your future. From drug trafficking to possession, Suzuki Law Offices have obtained success for clients in even the most complex cases. Contact us for a free consultation and get started working with a Scottsdale federal drug crimes attorney.
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