Interstate drug trafficking is the unlawful import of illegal controlled substances– such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs– through the interstate system. Interstates have continuously been significant for the crime of drug trafficking, as criminals play a menacing game of cat and mouse with law enforcement. What is risky for interstate drug traffickers is the several good reasons they can be pulled over: minor traffic violations, like speeding, driving too slow, driving with a crack in the windshield, or a taillight out. Law enforcement has also been identified for employing illegal approaches such as racial and out of state profiling, making interstate drug trafficking all the more perilous.
Once a law enforcement officer has you pulled over, if the motor vehicle seems to be damaged (the alteration of panels, screws, or interior parts) for smuggling causes, they will almost always request a better look at of the car. If you don’t know your civil rights and concede, then a drug bust may be underway and before you know it an additional law enforcement team member is on site with a drug-sniffing canine. Certainly, you have the right to privacy and turndown consent, and anybody stopped under these pretenses should simply present their driver’s license and registration information. You do not need to reply to their concerns if you don’t want to.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Penalties
Interstate drug trafficking penalties following a conviction for a felony state or federal drug trafficking charge will likely lead to very severe ramifications, like a huge fine or a mandatory prison sentence. If you are in possession of even a trace amount of drugs including ecstasy, cocaine, or methamphetamine, you could experience a prison sentence of up to 5 years and a fine of $10,000. A larger volume and prior convictions can carry up to 50 years or a life sentence and fines up to $25,000. If prosecutors can validate you intended to distribute a controlled substance, your consequences could be more critical.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Defense
Interstate drug trafficking defense lawyers can question the issuance and execution of search warrants to fight unfairly collected evidence, and can contest illegal search warrants and reveal police mistakes made during the process. When the evidence is pitted against you, attorneys can delve into sentencing options and reach a deal with the prosecution. In federal drug trafficking cases, where sentences are far more serious, there may be the option to check out a substance abuse program for the accused in order to set aside conviction and sentencing.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Lawyer
The pre-file stage of an interstate drug trafficking case is among the most detrimental for the accused. It is important that you call and work with a lawyer immediately after your arrest, because police and prosecutors will move quickly and their inspection will be unrelenting in getting you to incriminate yourself so they can put you behind bars. Call a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can look at all plausible outcomes of the case and speak knowingly on your favor, to assure that your rights are not violated.
