McKinney, Texas Interstate Drug Possession Lawyers
Attorneys Helping Clients Defend Against Federal Charges for Transporting Drugs Across State Lines in McKinney
In many cases, drug possession charges will be prosecuted at the state level. However, when a person is accused of transporting drugs from one state to another, they may face federal drug charges. Interstate drug activity may lead federal officials to become involved, and the charges a person may face can be serious.
At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys can provide the representation clients need as they address federal charges related to drug possession or other drug crimes. We can help clients understand what to expect as their cases move forward, and we can develop effective defense strategies while fighting to protect their rights. We will work to prevent a conviction or take steps to minimize the consequences that may apply after a case concludes.
Interstate Drug Cases
During a traffic stop, a search at an airport, or another situation, law enforcement officers may uncover drugs. Because law enforcement in different jurisdictions communicate with each other, officers may believe that a person traveled through more than one state while carrying drugs. This may lead them to notify federal authorities, who may take steps to pursue federal charges against a person. Federal prosecutors may rely on evidence gathered by several different law enforcement agencies that work together to prosecute a case.
Federal laws address crimes that involve "interstate or foreign commerce," including offenses that allegedly took place in more than one state. Because a person who allegedly transported drugs across state lines may be accused of a violation of federal law, their case will be handled in federal court, even if they only possessed drugs for personal use and were not involved in drug manufacturing or drug trafficking.
In some cases, federal charges may apply even if a person did not physically move drugs across state lines. Federal conspiracy laws allow prosecutors to charge everyone who is believed to be involved in an offense. A person who allegedly arranged transportation, provided funding to purchase drugs, or communicated with others who were involved in transporting drugs could be prosecuted on conspiracy charges. Phone calls, text messages, or other communications in which a person allegedly coordinated a shipment of drugs between states could serve as evidence in a federal conspiracy case.
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Proven Advocates Defending Your Rights
From a first-time misdemeanor to a high-stakes federal indictment, our attorneys build defense strategies matched to what you're actually facing. Give us a call at 972-369-0577 to schedule your free consultation.
How the Quantities of Drugs May Affect Federal Drug Charges
The amount of a controlled substance involved in a case can play a central role in the charges a person may face and the potential penalties that will apply upon conviction. Federal laws provide certain thresholds for quantities of different substances, and a person who is accused of possessing drugs that exceeded those thresholds may face a mandatory minimum prison sentence and other penalties.
Serious penalties can apply for people who are accused of offenses involving large quantities of substances that are considered to be dangerous and addictive. A person could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in a federal prison or a possible life sentence and/or a fine as high as $10 million if they allegedly possessed:
- Cocaine: Five kilograms or more
- Heroin: One kilogram or more
- LSD: 10 grams or more
- PCP: 100 grams or more
- Methamphetamine: 50 grams or more
- Marijuana: 1,000 kilograms or more
For smaller quantities of these drugs, lower penalties may apply. A person could be sentenced to a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison and/or a fine as high as $5 million for possessing:
- Cocaine: 500 grams
- Heroin: 100 grams
- LSD: One gram
- PCP: 10 grams
- Methamphetamine: Five grams
- Marijuana: 100 kilograms
In most cases involving amounts below these thresholds or other substances that are classified as Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances, a person could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and/or fined up to $1 million. A person charged with possession of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana may face a maximum sentence of five years and/or up to $250,000 in fines.
Defense Strategies for Interstate Drug Possession Charges
To build a strong defense for a person who is facing federal drug charges involving possession of controlled substances in multiple states, our attorneys can perform a thorough review of how an investigation was conducted and how evidence was gathered. We can look at the searches that were conducted by law enforcement and other methods that led to the discovery of drugs. If officers stopped a vehicle, searched a package, or entered a person's property without proper legal justification, evidence they obtained may be challenged and potentially excluded from a criminal case. We will look at whether officers took the right steps to obtain warrants for wiretaps, tracking of a person's location, or other investigative methods.
We may also be able to challenge claims about the quantities of a drug that were involved in a case or a person's alleged role in an offense. By disputing the calculations of the total weight of drugs, we may be able to have charges reduced, minimizing the penalties a person may face. If we can show that there is no way to prove a person's alleged involvement in an offense, charges may be dropped altogether. We will look at whether evidence supports a conspiracy charge or whether accusations have been based on limited or circumstantial evidence.
In some cases, negotiating with federal prosecutors to have charges reduced may be the most effective way to resolve a case. To help clients minimize the potential penalties they may face, we may work to reach agreements that will allow for short sentences, home confinement, or probation rather than long-term incarceration in a federal prison. Our team will take steps to protect our client's rights and help them achieve the best outcome available.
Contact Our McKinney, TX Interstate Drug Possession Attorneys
A person who is facing federal charges related to controlled substances will need to make sure they have a strong legal advocate on their side. At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys have the experience needed to defend clients in federal courts, address charges related to the transportation of drugs through multiple states, and resolve cases successfully. Contact our McKinney federal drug crimes defense lawyers at 972-369-0577 and set up a free consultation.
