Federal Drug Trafficking and It's Penalties

Federal drug cases include some of the most difficult cases to defend in federal law. The federal drug defense teams urge defendants arrested by federal agents in federal drug cases to contact lawyers immediately when they know they are a suspect or target in any federal drug transaction. If you are facing federal charges of drug-related offenses or criminal mischief, you face risks including your life's freedom, your future, and financial health. Request a complimentary case evaluation from a defense attorney as soon as possible.

Federal Drug Cases Vs. State Cases?

Federal crimes involving drugs deal with larger amounts and those occurring on federal land or over state lines. Marijuana qualifies as a federal drug case if in large quantities. Those cases end up going to federal court because penalties are much more severe. The tools used to investigate these conspiracies are usually more sophisticated and are conducted over longer periods. There is normally a recording or a videotape which many times are difficult to defend, but not impossible.

Drug Trafficking Crimes Definitions

The more you know, the better prepared for your defense against drug trafficking charges. Here are some definitions associated with these types of crimes that can be found in Chapter 3719 - 01 Ohio Revised Code:

• "Administer" means the direct application of a drug, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means to a person or an animal.
• "Controlled substance" means a drug, compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V.
• "Dispense" means to sell, leave with, give away, dispose of, or deliver.
• "Distribute" means to deal in, ship, transport, or deliver but does not include administering or dispensing a drug.
• "Federal drug abuse control laws" means the "Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970," 84 Stat. 1242, 21 U.S.C. 801, as amended.
• "Hypodermic" means a hypodermic syringe or needle, or other instrument or device for the injection of medication.
• "Manufacturer" means a person who manufactures a controlled substance, as "manufacture" is defined in section 3715.01 of the Revised Code, and includes a "manufacturer of dangerous drugs" as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.
• "Marihuana" means all parts of a plant of the genus cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds of a plant of that type; the resin extracted from a part of a plant of that type; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of a plant of that type or its seeds or resin. "Marihuana" does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oils or cake made from the seeds of the plant, or any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks, except the resin extracted from the mature stalks, fiber, oil or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination. "Marihuana" does not include "hemp" or a "hemp product" as those terms are defined in section 928.01 of the Revised Code.
• "Sale" includes delivery, barter, exchange, transfer, or gift, or offer thereof, and each transaction of those natures made by any person, whether as principal, proprietor, agent, servant, or employee.
• "Schedule I," "schedule II," "schedule III," "schedule IV," and "schedule V" mean controlled substance schedules I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively, as established by rule adopted under section 3719.41 of the Revised Code, as amended pursuant to section 3719.43 or 3719.44 of the Revised Code, or as established by emergency rule adopted under section 3719.45 of the Revised Code.

Information about Federal Drug Crimes

A drug crime can be considered a federal charge when the violation occurs on federal land. It may be charged when the case involves the use of an undercover federal agent.

Some federal offenses have mandatory minimum penalties and may carry severe penalty rates.

A drug conspiracy charge is one of the more common ways that an offender is accused of a federal crime.

The DEA (drug enforcement administration) often targets large-scale smuggling of drugs domestically in the U.S. or elsewhere.

Federal Drug Possession Charges

Cocaine possession is considered both a federal offense and a state offense. Federal cocaine counts can often lead to harsh penalties for a serious offense.

Possession can be demonstrated via actual possession such as having the drug in your pocket or constructive possession.

A second possession conviction could lead to up to 2 years in federal prison with a fine of $2,500 or more.

With an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner, you will not have to face charges alone. With mandatory minimum federal sentences for convicted drug dealers, these sentences can cause great ramifications.

Common types of drug charges

There are state and federal laws that punish drug abuse. Accusations of smuggling or trafficking illicit drugs or controlled substances could result in federal criminal charges.

If someone is accused of committing a crime linked to a criminal organization or enterprise, you could also be charged with federal racketeering.

Examples of commonly used types of felony drugs that can be charged to the federal government include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and more.

Federal trafficking penalties

There is a stiff penalty if a serious injury occurs due to the use of a drug in the form of a twenty-year mandatory minimum if death or serious bodily injury.

Federal drug charges tend to be more severe than those in their respective states. Federal legislation applies to the prosecution and arrest of a drug suspect on diverse charges.

The penalties are based on several factors including the amounts of the corresponding drugs listed in such schedules.

Different penalties apply for narcotics listed in the following five schedules of the Controlled Substances Act:

Schedule I Drugs

These drugs have no medical use and carry a high abuse level.

Fentanyl Analogue - 10-99 grams mixture

Heroin 100-999 grams mixture

LSD 1-9 grams mixture

Schedule II Drugs

Considered dangerous.

Cocaine 500-4999 grams mixture

Cocaine Base 28-279 grams mixture

Methamphetamine 5-49 grams pure or 50-499 grams mixture

PCP 10-99 grams pure or 100-999 grams mixture

Schedule III Drugs

These have a currently accepted medical use in the U.S. but also carry a strong potential for abuse, including severe dependence on the drug and psychological or physical side effects. Examples include:

Ketamine

Testosterone

Tylenol with codeine

Anabolic steroids

Schedule IV Drugs

Have a medical use and a low risk for abuse and/or dependence. Examples include:

Tramadol

Xanax

Valium

Ambien

Darvon

Soma

Ativan

Fentanyl 40-399 grams mixture

Schedule V Drugs

Lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV drugs and limited quantities. Examples include:

Lyrica

Robitussin AC

Lomotil

Parapectolin

If you've been charged with a federal drug offense what can you expect?

Under federal court, it is much easier for the authorities to try to keep you without bail because of one presumption. The assumption is that you were too dangerous to be in the street even if you had never been arrested before. Depending on the situation, your previous conviction for a suspected drug charge can result in mandatory sentences of up to 20 years in prison. It causes enormous stress. Even if they weren't guilty it makes it difficult to resolve their legal matter because they face a 20-year prison term.

A Strong Defense Against Federal Drug Charges

An arrest in connection with a drug crime isn't the same as a conviction. In criminal law, an indictment is merely a formal charge that can be used as evidence against the defendant. A competent defense lawyer will look at the evidence gathered by the prosecution and determine a compelling defense strategy. By challenging the federal prosecutors' evidence and proposing a different version of events, your attorney in the case will create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.

The justice system is not always fair. For example, if you're arrested for drug possession and end up charged with a federal crime, even though the local law enforcement never left your state's borders, this could potentially mean that there will be a much more severe punishment than what would've been given by just one officer.

In many federal drug cases the most effective defense is the one that starts at the very beginning so don't wait to hire an attorney.