McKinney Drug Trafficking Attorneys
Lawyers Addressing Charges of Drug Distribution and Trafficking in McKinney, TX
The penalties that a person may face when they are accused of drug crimes can be serious, especially if these accusations involve drug trafficking. While drug possession charges may apply in cases where a person possesses drugs for personal use, drug trafficking charges will often involve allegations that a person intended to sell or distribute drugs to others. Because of the risks that many drugs present, drug trafficking may be seen as an offense that has endangered others or put public safety at risk. Prosecutors will often try to secure convictions and impose harsh penalties for people who are accused of drug distribution and trafficking.
A person who is accused of trafficking controlled substances may face a sentence of decades in prison and other severe consequences. These cases can be complex, and they may involve extensive investigations and surveillance by law enforcement and multiple types of evidence related to drug activity. The team at Texas Defense Firm has the experience needed to address these issues and defend clients against criminal convictions. We can develop successful defense strategies while protecting our clients' rights.
Activities That May Be Considered Drug Trafficking
Conduct that is commonly described as drug trafficking may involve manufacturing, selling, or distributing controlled substances. Drug manufacturing may include producing, preparing, processing, or packaging controlled substances. Charges may involve accusations of operating a drug lab, cultivating plants like marijuana, or compounding drugs and dividing substances into smaller portions to be distributed to individual people.
Drug distribution may involve the transfer of a controlled substance to another person. It may include selling drugs for money, exchanging drugs in return for some other form of payment, or even giving a substance away to someone else. A person may also face drug distribution charges if they are accused of possession with intent to deliver. Even if there is no direct evidence of an actual sale or transfer of drugs, the possession of large amounts of a drug or other evidence that may be related to drug distribution may be seen as an indication that a person intended to sell or transfer drugs to others.
Penalties for Trafficking Controlled Substances in Different Penalty Groups
The penalty groups defined in Texas law will determine how a drug trafficking case may be handled. The specific penalties will depend on the penalty group of drugs seized by law enforcement and the weight of these substances.
For Penalty Group 1 substances, which include cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, drug trafficking charges can range from state jail felony charges in cases involving less than one gram of a substance to first-degree felony charges in cases involving more than 400 grams. In the most serious cases, a person may face a potential prison sentence lasting from 15 to 99 years and fines as high as $250,000.
Substances in Penalty Group 2, 3, and 4 can lead to similar penalties. Penalty Group 2 includes certain types of hallucinogens, while Penalty Groups 3 and 4 include many prescription medications. Less than one gram of a substance in Penalty Group 2 or 28 grams of a substance in Penalty Group 3 or 4 can lead to a state jail felony. More than 400 grams of substances in Penalty Group 2, 3, or 4 can lead to a first-degree felony with a potential sentence of 10 to 99 years. The maximum fine in these cases is $100,000.
Why Drug Trafficking Allegations Can Lead to Federal Charges
Drug trafficking cases may be prosecuted in federal court in certain circumstances. Federal drug charges may address situations where drugs were allegedly transported across state lines or imported into the United States from Mexico or another country. Federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) may investigate large drug distribution networks or charges related to manufacturing or distributing large quantities of drugs. An alleged connection to an organized drug trafficking operation will be more likely to result in federal prosecution.
Federal conspiracy laws may also result in criminal charges against a person who never personally handled a controlled substance but who allegedly participated in a drug distribution scheme. A person who is accused of agreeing with others to engage in drug trafficking or who profited from the distribution of drugs could face the same charges that would apply if they had been directly involved in drug crimes.
When a case is handled in federal court, the potential consequences can become more severe. Mandatory minimum sentences will often apply in federal drug cases, and they may be based on the quantities of drugs involved in an offense. This can result in longer prison sentences, and the options for parole or early release may be limited. Because of the complex factors that may be involved in federal investigations and the serious penalties a person may face, legal representation from an attorney with experience in federal criminal defense can be crucial.
Contact Our McKinney, Texas Drug Trafficking Lawyers
At Texas Defense Firm, our lawyers will closely review every aspect of a drug trafficking case, looking at whether officers violated a person's rights during an investigation or search, whether evidence may be challenged, or whether other defenses may be available. We may challenge the weight calculations used to determine specific drug trafficking charges, or we may argue that a client had no connection to any substances found and was not involved in drug manufacturing or distribution.
We can provide the legal guidance and representation clients need to defend against drug crime convictions. With our years of experience handling cases at the state and federal levels, we know how to help our clients resolve these cases successfully. Contact our McKinney drug trafficking defense attorneys at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free consultation.
