An interstate drug stop, whether lawful or unlawful, will surely happen to some drivers when traversing across state lines. As the quantity of drugs you are charged with possessing goes up, so do the penalties for such charges. Greater amounts are commonly referred to as “trafficking.” Cutting off the supply of the commerce drug trade is one of the more significant roles the local state law enforcement and the federal government plays in the “War on Drugs.”.
Interstate Drug Stop Penalties
An interstate drug stop can have major ramifications. Even a minor drug conviction can have a serious impact on a suspect’s future, from their source of living and work opportunities to loans, and leases. A serious charge, such as possession with the intent to distribute, can demolish any hopes of preserving normalcy, as you can squander years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and lose your property due to search and seizure.
Both federal and state laws have very distinctive penalties for the various levels of drug possession, and it usually depends on the “schedule” of drugs nabbed. Some illegal drugs in certain quantities and amounts hold their own mandatory minimum sentencing, signifying you must serve a certain period of time if convicted.
First offenses for possession with intent to distribute marijuana can carry a minimum sentence of one year and a maximum sentence of 20 years. Harder drugs like heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine can result in a sentence of up to 50 years or even life imprisonment, depending on the amount possessed.
Interstate Drug Stop Defense
For individuals associated in an interstate drug stop, the law can be difficult to understand and you may have issues about whether the arresting officer acted within the law or breached your rights. The key evidence for the prosecution is always the confiscated drug itself. A well-informed defense lawyer can file motions to suppress the evidence for any oversight that the police made in procedure while directing a search to acquire the evidence. Without the considerable evidence, the prosecution’s case may not get enough evidence and the case might be reduced or dismissed.
An established lawyer will analyze all of the circumstances surrounding your case, including things like whether you first gave the police officer reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Once it has been determined that the police officer had probable cause, did you, in fact, give the adequate consent to be searched or did law enforcement have to get a warrant? These issues need to be checked out and addressed before they have a case against you.
Interstate Drug Stop Lawyer
An interstate drug stop can result to an arrest and in some cases an infringement of the Constitutional rights of drivers. If you have been pulled over as a drug suspect, you need the beneficial defensive action only a great Iowa drug defense attorney can offer to provide protection to your rights.
